With the 2023-24 NBA season just a month away, fans were treated to an early sneak peek at what could unfold in the upcoming campaign with the release of the highly anticipated NBA 2k24, the latest installment in the 2k video game series. Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers fans can finally simulate how the team will look like — free from all the exasperating drama that’s been typical this offseason.
And of course, just like an annual tradition, the mass reveal of the player ratings left many either contented or disquieted. The 76ers are no different, with 2k both hitting and missing on some of these ratings. Here are three underrated players who got the shorter end of the stick in that regard.
76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
1. PJ Tucker (75 OVR)
PJ Tucker has long been one of those players who can’t ever be measured by conventional benchmarks. And while a player rating on a video game should probably not be the catalyst to change that tune, there’s definitely a degree of disrespect in having the veteran just the 56th-best rating among power forwards.
Being 38 years old and expected to decline is a tad reasonable, but the veteran has not shown any signs of mounting his hard-nosed defense and tenacious intangibles when needed. Currently, he’s still expected to contend for the starting power forward position, and he could very well regain that spot to open the year.
Nevertheless, Tucker has long been one of those players whom player ratings in 2k fail to do justice. That’s still the case, unfortunately, though one can always expect the veteran bruiser to outplay and outmuscle whatever story the numbers tell.
76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
2. De’Anthony Melton (78 OVR)
To the untrained eye, a role player like De’Anthony Melton netting a 78 overall rating seems just right. After all, the high 70s are usually decked for consistent contributors who, while nowhere near All-Star caliber, are stars in their own roles.
That being said, that Melton is rated as is only fortifies the perception that defensive-minded guys are not held to the same level of appreciation as their offensive counterparts. But even branding Melton as a sheer defender is an understatement.
Last season, Melton emerged as a frequent closer for the 76ers and even started a myriad of games for the club. More importantly, he was a stabilizer in the wings, arming Philly with a viable release valve on offense as a reliable spot-up shooter and playmaker when the offense needed variance and when defenses doubled down on the team’s featured playmakers.
Hence, while we could be splitting hairs at this juncture, Melton deserves a notch or two higher than his current player rating. And he’ll have a ton of time to prove he definitely does aside from his spectacular showings this summer.
76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
3. Patrick Beverley (76 OVR)
One of the 76ers’ new acquisitions, Patrick Beverley will be banked on by the team to serve as some sort of an enforcer in the second unit. With uncertainties plaguing the roster as of the moment, the veteran’s presence will be particularly important to steady the ship to some degree.
That responsibility, however, stands flat next to how 2k rates him. A 76 rating for a longtime steady contributor like Beverley seems like an over-indication of his admittedly meager numbers when his value can never be measured by box score statistics, just like Tucker.
No one’s fearing Beverley as an offensive savant, but he provides toughness and intangibles on the court in addition to his pesky defense, respectable three-point shot, and above-average rebounding given his stature. He was one of the key factors behind the Bulls’ late-season push last season, and considering that, he should have gotten more love from the game developers.
Hopefully, Pat Bev reminds everyone yet again of his undeniable impact on the basketball court and gets our friends at 2k some pointers on how to not rely solely on Basketball Reference for their own good.
Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
The Philadelphia 76ers move on from Tobias Harris and swap him for this superstar point guard in this mock trade proposal.