After receiving an overall rating of 89 in last year’s edition of 2K’s popular video game, NBA 2K17, Cleveland Cavaliers star point guard Kyrie Irving was a bit upset. Now, with the release of 2K18 and an overall rating of 90, the crafty ball-handler still isn’t happy, but he’s vowing to use his new score as motivation.
There were several 2K fans who felt Irving was underrated last year. A one point bump-up may seem modest for a player who averaged a career-high 25.2 points per game en route to a third straight trip to the NBA Finals, but at least it’s an improvement.
While taking part in 2K’s photoshoot for the new game with several other players, Irving was asked what he thinks his rating should have been. The former Duke Blue Devil offered a cheeky reply.
“I think my rating should be, if we add in a few factors — cover athlete, cover athlete, cover athlete — then I should at least be a 95-plus, at least,” Irving said.
Once learning that he was given a rating of 90, Irving sat up in his chair, cleared his throat, cracked a sheepish grin while shaking his head, then vowed to use the branding as motivation.
“I love it,” Irving said with a smile. “It’s motivating me now. By the end of the season, mark my words, I will be a 93-plus. You guys are gonna stop playing me on my rating.”
