James Harden is the Second Best Player in the League on NBA 2K

James Harden has been playing extraordinarily well all season long, bringing his Rockets to new heights and competing for MVP. NBA 2K has taken notice and upped his rating to second best in the league.

Of course, there are better things to play for than video game ratings. James Harden has real hopes of a championship this season, and is also deeply entrenched in the MVP debate. In addition to being motivated by winning, he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder after not making an All-NBA team last year. The Houston Rockets are better than any sound-minded person thought possible, and it’s all due to James Harden.

But, a little affirmation never hurt anybody. With his improved passing, leadership, court vision, and play-making, the folks at NBA 2K have him now better than anyone except LeBron James at 96 overall.

Today's #NBA2K17 roster update has Harden moving up to 96, LeBron up to 97 and many, many ratings changes! pic.twitter.com/RXmVMZ4AuP

— NBA 2K 2K17 (@NBA2K) March 24, 2017

That puts the Beard one point higher than Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and, most notably, Russell Westbrook. This won’t have any weight at all in the MVP discussion, but it means somebody realizes his dominance at the 2K headquarters.

Before the season, the game had him set at an abominably low 89 rating. In September, he was raised up to a 90, but still at the same rating as Klay Thompson, an idea that is now comical. I’ve written extensively this year on how Harden is finally getting the credit from the media that he deserves, and this is just one example of how that’s the case.

The fact that Klay Thompson and James Harden have the same 90 overall rating on 2k is just disrespectful!!!!!!!!!!!!

— Ahmad (@AhmadAbanmi) September 22, 2016

More from Space City Scoop

Tomorrow night, the Houston Rockets will play a game that’s probably been simulated over and over on many game consoles. They’ll take on the Golden State Warriors in a battle of the league’s two best offenses. After a spectacular shooting display against the OKC Thunder yesterday, they should be feeling confident that they can put up 2K-like numbers.

The good thing about the rest of the season is that the Rockets should be able to coast until playoffs. They certainly won’t rest players like other teams are in the habit of doing, but winning enough to lock in their playoff spot shouldn’t be a problem at all.

James Harden won’t have much time to play as himself on 2K until later on this summer, because the Rockets should make a deep playoff run this season.

Next: Harden vs. LeBron: Legacy and the MVP

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