NBA 2K22: Who are the Highest-ranked Players of All Time?

NBA 2K22 is near, and it features the best players globally. Who ranks higher than the rest? Here are the 10 highest-rated players NBA 2K22 has ever seen.

1. Michael Jordan - All-Time Chicago Bulls: 99 OR

Many call Jordan 'THE GOAT, ' and it's no surprise to see MJ lead the way after claiming six NBA championships, six NBA Finals MVP, and five regular-season MVP awards — to name just a few of his accolades.

Jordan reached his basketball heights playing for the Chicago Bulls, leading them to six titles and making the number 23 iconic. His determination and competitiveness could be seen on any night, famously playing through the flu in 1997.

Jordan holds multiple records for scoring, so his ability at the defensive end often gets overlooked. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 1988 and made the All-Defensive team nine times. This echoes his 99 pass perception and 99 help defense IQ, along with all his offensive weapons in 2K22. He also holds 57 badges, of which 18 are Hall of Fame level. His price is high in MyTeam, but you can get cheap NBA 2k22 mt from u4gm.com to get him.

2. Magic Johnson - All-Time LA Lakers: 99 OR

The LA Lakers great is second on our list and another player who scored a 99 NBA 2K22 in-game rating.

The point guard was an integral part of the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, along with another player on this list: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers to five championships in their time together.

Statistically, Johnson dominated on the court, with a 98-rated Shot IQ, his Handles have an in-game rating of 98, while his Pass Accuracy is 99. He has 36 badges, of which five are Hall of Fame level.

3. LeBron James - Current LA Lakers: 99 OR

LeBron James has played in every All-Star game since his draft, totaling 17 All-Star games – third on the all-time list. He has four championships for three different teams — two while at Miami Heat, one at home-town side Cleveland Cavaliers, and his latest in 2020 with LA Lakers, and he continues to dominate at the age of 36.

Picking out some of LBJ's key 2K22 stats, his Outside Scoring comes in at a 91 rating, with Athleticism at 92 and his Layup at 98. The All-Around-2-Way Power Forward has 66 Badges, with 12 at Hall of Fame Level.

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - All-Time LA Lakers: 99 OR

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar created and perfected the skyhook during his playing career. The unguardable shot hooks the ball over your own body and consequently over the defender, making it nearly impossible to block.

Abdul-Jabbar won one championship with the Milwaukee Bucks before moving to the Los Angeles Lakers, winning a further five. He holds the record for the most All-Star games played and the most points totaled throughout his career with 38,387.

Unsurprisingly, Abdul-Jabbar has a 99 post hook rating and 98 post control. He also has a 98 offensive rebound and a 98 defensive rounding to complement his 98 strength rating. Abdul-Jabbar is the epitome of the traditional big man.

5. Tim Duncan - All-Time San Antonio Spurs: 98 OR

Tim Duncan was part of the famous San Antonio Spurs side, including Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker. Duncan won the NBA Finals in his rookie season and ended his career with five championships.

He would more often than not save his best form for the play-offs – his post-season stats consistently averaged higher than in the regular season. His in-game ratings reflect this, with 95 Rebounding, 98 Defensive Consistency, and a 98 Shot IQ, to name a few.

6. Larry Bird - All-Time Boston Celtics: 98 OR

Bird is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, NBA Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.

Bird was adept at three-point-shooting, while he's also remembered as an excellent passer, with his agility making him a strong team defender, too. His in-game stats reflect this, with a 98 Three Point Shot, 94 Pass Accuracy, and 97 Help Defense IQ contributing to a 98 overall rating.

7. Dirk Nowitzki - All-Time Dallas Mavericks: 98 OR

The 7'1 German became a Dallas Mavericks hero during his 21-year NBA career — taking the Mavs to 15 NBA play-offs appearances. Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to its first championship in franchise history in 2011, winning Finals MVP in the process.

He was an exceptional shooter for his size, and he made 88% of free throws and nearly 50% of his field-goal attempts. This is reflected in NBA 2K22's stats, which have his Free Throw rating at 92 and Mid-range shot at 98 in NBA 2K22.

8. Oscar Robertson - All-Time Sacramento Kings: 98 OR

Oscar Robertson was a 12-time All-Star, one-time winner of the MVP award, and claimed an NBA championship during his illustrious 14-season career in the NBA.

Famous for being the first player to average a triple-double, Oscar Robertson achieved the feat that few thought could be achieved in only his second season in the league. Robertson's team success only happened once he joined the Milwaukee Bucks, partnering with Abdul-Jabbar. The Bucks won the 1971 NBA Championship, beating the Baltimore Bullets in straight games.

The general nature of Oscar Robertson means he doesn't have any 99-rated attributes on NBA 2K22. Still, he has playmaking at 92, Outside Scoring at 90, while his Layup gets a 98.

9. Kevin Garnett - All-Time Minnesota Timberwolves: 98 OR

Otherwise known as the Big Ticket, Kevin Garnett made a name for himself with his suffocating defense on the Minnesota Timberwolves. As of 2020, he is one of five NBA players to have won the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

His in-game stats reflect that superiority, with 97 Standing Dunk, 98 Hustle, and 91 in Athleticism overall. He has 36 badges in the game, including Defensive Leader and Brick Wall, in which six of them are Hall of Fame level. Elsewhere, Garnett's Rebounding is 94, and Defending is rated at 80.

10. Shaquille O'Neal - All-Time Los Angeles Lakers: 98 OVR

First up in the top 10 we have the legend that is Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq proved to be most dominant during his time with the Lakers, never averaging less than 26 points per game and winning three straight NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

His Inside Scoring is some of the best the NBA has ever seen with a 98 Layup, 98 Driving Dunk, and 98 Handles. He has 27 Badges, of which 11 are Hall of Fame level, for a career spanning from 1992–2011.

With so much talent on offer, who will you choose to play individually or as the star within your team? Also, to access more excellent players lists, please click here.