Utah Jazz (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
At no point in NBA history have video games factored more prevalently in the discourse around NBA players than right now. Whether one likes it or not, the 2K player rating represents a wholesale evaluation of a player, so it’s no surprise that players on the Utah Jazz and beyond are invested in what their magic number ends up being.
To some, it may feel a little silly. To others, the game itself is too close to an actual basketball simulation not to take seriously. No matter where one stands, there are countless examples of players caring about their 2K rating.