Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Comparing the Phoenix Suns’ 2K ratings to the Pacific Division

By Adam Maynes

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 29: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 29: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers

PG – Rajon Rondo: 79 (Uh… Lonzo Ball?)

SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 76

SF – Brandon Ingram: 82

PF – LeBron James: 98 (The LeBron James Effect)

C – JaVale McGee: 77

The Los Angeles Lakers projected with a winning record or even considered a playoff team is because of one person: LeBron James.

It doesn’t matter how pitifully average the Lakers’ starting-five looks otherwise, with LeBron James in the lineup, it’s going to look a lot better than it really is.

And so, a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in five seasons will do so this year, something that would have been considered an anomaly if not for the LeBron James Effect.

Granted there is likely one error in the 2K lineup, the fact that Rajon Rondo is projected as the starting point guard and not Lonzo Ball – a switch I believe will occur in real life). Even so, Ball’s rating isn’t any better than Rondo (they are both rated as a 79), so while the face might change, the rating will not.

Head-to-head, Phoenix’s starting five’s beats out the Lakers’ starting five 3-2, however the LeBron James Effect skews the rating significantly.

I do project that the Lakers will not sweep Phoenix as there will be at least one game where LeBron won’t quite be able to carry his mediocre roster over the top and the better overall Suns roster will overcome the lesser Lakers allowing Phoenix to steal a win.

Total Rating Score: 412         Average starter rating: 82.4

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