NBA 2K22 predictions: The 5 highest rated power forwards

NBA 2K22 is just around the corner and basketball fans cannot wait for the release. Seeing as we have no NBA action until October 2021, 2K is capitalizing on the lack of games and intentionally delaying information to generate hype. They have released a list of the best three-point shooters and dunkers and also the top players of a few select countries.

🗓 Mark your calendar and be the first to see what's new with deep dives on all your favorite modes and gameplay additions. #NBA2K22 pic.twitter.com/TXx4uAMbaj

— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 23, 2021

It is understandable that in an era of three-point shooting and spacing, playing with a power forward isn't much fun. These players aren't even some of the highest rated ones in the game. The days of Tim Duncan dominating the glass are over and it is mostly a guard's league now.

However, a few players stand out and continue to excel at this position such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Draymond Green and Zion Williamson. The Greek Freak is easily the best power forward in the game today and is turning out to be one of the best of all time.

On that note, let's take a look at the five highest rated power forwards in NBA 2K22.

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#5 Domantas Sabonis - 86

Domantas Sabonis with the Indiana Pacers as seen in NBA 2K20 [Source: 2kspecialist]

2K Sports revealed Domantas Sabonis' rating in NBA 2K22 as 86 which is a point lower than last year (NBA 2K21) even though he had a fantastic season with the Pacers. Sabonis averaged 20.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 53/32/73 shooting splits in the 2020-21 NBA season. He registered career-highs in points, assists and steals while shooting at a great clip despite higher shot attempts in the process.

However, Sabonis has fallen victim of NBA 2K22's wave of reduced ratings. 2K Sports has reduced the ratings of the majority of the players regardless of the season they had. Sabonis has a 83-rated outside scoring, 82-rated inside scoring, 72-rated athleticism, 67-rated playmaking, 76-rated rebounding and 53-rated defense.

"He sucks! He really sucks!" - Domantas Sabonis after he shoots with HIMSELF as he faces off against Montrezl Harrell on 2K 🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/ntzX7PXRaB

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 5, 2020

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#4 Julius Randle - 89

Julius Randle of the New York Knicks as seen in NBA 2K21 [Source: Shuajota]

Julius Randle was phenomenal in the 2020-21 NBA season and we believe his NBA 2K22 rating will certainly reflect that. He was rated 89 in NBA 2K21 and his rating will either stay put or increase. We predict his NBA 2K22 rating to be 89 to begin the game and expect it to increase as the year progresses.

Randle led the New York Knicks to the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference last year and was selected to his first-ever All-Star team. He heard MVP chants at Madison Square Garden as he put up career-high numbers across the board. Randle also won the 2021 Most Improved Player award and was 8th in MVP voting, so his NBA 2K22 rating is bound to be on the higher end.

#3 Zion Williamson - 89

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans as seen in NBA 2K21 [Source: NBA 2KW]

Zion Williamson is everything he was hyped up to be and his NBA 2K22 rating proves that. He led the league in field goal percentage last season for any player averaging over 20 points per game with 61.1% efficiency from the field. Williamson also averaged a whopping 27 points per game, which ranked eighth in the league, along with 7.2 boards a night.

Zion Williamson has become the 12th player in NBA history to score 2,000 points before their 80th career game.The only other player to do this in the last 40 years is Michael Jordan.h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/IxtPWjSqr8

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2021

Zion Williamson's abilities in the game are likely to display a Shaquille O'Neal-type dominance. His NBA 2K attributes in inside scoring and athleticism are off the charts and he is steadily improving as a playmaker too. Williamson has 83-rated outside scoring, 87-rated inside scoring, 89-rated athleticism, 72-rated playmaking, 73-rated rebounding and 58-rated defense. In just his second year in the league, he has a Hall of Fame badge on NBA 2K - 'Highlight Film' in Finishing.

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#2 Anthony Davis - 92

Anthony Davis with the LA Lakers as seen in NBA 2K20 [Source: NBA 2KW]

Anthony Davis' NBA 2K22 rating is yet to be revealed and it has generated a lot of buzz among NBA fans. Davis, who was in the 1st team All-NBA just one season ago, was not featured in the 10 highest rated players in NBA 2K22.

It is understandable that his NBA 2K22 rating has plummeted this year as he was sidelined with injuries for most of the 2020-21 season. He was rated 95 last season (NBA 2K21) to begin the game, and even went up to 96 for a few weeks. However, Davis' ratings eventually fell down to 93 by the end of the year.

We predict his rating to at least fall to 92 in NBA 2K22. He is expected to return stronger than before from injury, however, and help the LA Lakers put together another title run alongside LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. His ratings are certainly going to increase as the year progresses.

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#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo - 96

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks as seen in NBA 2K20 [Source: NBA 2KW]

Giannis Antetokounmpo shares the highest rating in NBA 2K22 alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. He recently led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship and won the Finals MVP award in the process. He had a monster outing in the closeout Game 6 of the Finals, recording 50 points and becoming just the 7th player to ever score 50 in an NBA Finals game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has improved every season he has been in the league and his ratings have shown that. He has gone from 60 in his rookie year to 97 last year. Antetokounmpo won the Most Improved Player award in 2017 and managed back-to-back MVPs in 2019 and 2020.

Giannis #2KRatings 2K14: 602K15: 742K16: 812K17: 832K18: 912K19: 942K20: 962K21: 97 pic.twitter.com/RDYd217jdD

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 22, 2020

The Greek Freak is also one of those players you would consider cheat codes in the NBA 2K22 game. He cannot shoot deep threes like Steph Curry but if you give him the ball underneath the basket, it's guaranteed points, along with a few posters and fouls on his defenders.

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