Fansided

NBA Live 18: Top 10 highest-rated players at each position

By Derek Helling

HONG KONG, HONG KONG - SEPTEMBER 05: Lebron James appears at the Rise Academy Challenge on September 5, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
HONG KONG, HONG KONG - SEPTEMBER 05: Lebron James appears at the Rise Academy Challenge on September 5, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Small forwards

To answer the question posed in the previous slide, Harden has not yet usurped the man on the top of this list for the title of highest overall rating among all players. That gap has narrowed, however, and there is room to debate that perhaps in next season’s game, there may be a tie for the best overall player in the game.

  1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, 96 – Still carrying the mantle of highest-overall rated player in the game at any position, the list of individual skills at which James isn’t rated at least 90 is shorter than the list of skills at which he is.
  2. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, 95 – Gamers and fans shouldn’t expect anything different than Golden State’s presence near the top of this list again. Fans should let this fact sink in for a moment: all three players who have overall ratings of 95 in NBA Live 18 were once real life teammates.
  3. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs, 94 – With defensive skill ratings unparalleled in not only this but other positions as well, Leonard is well-deserving of contending for the top spot in this list.
  4. Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder, 91 – Oklahoma City may just be a pit stop on his way to Los Angeles, but that’s irrelevant in the game. His 92 On-Ball Defense along with 91 Clutch and Vertical ratings make him a great compliment for Westbrook.
  5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 89 – One of the game’s highest-rated dunkers, Antetokounmpo adds several other 90-plus ratings to make him a complete player.
  6. Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics, 88 – Hayward’s only 90-plus rating is a 95 in Stamina, but he has many high 80s ratings led by 88 scores in 3-Point Shooting and Clutch.
  7. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks, 86 – The future has been uncertain with this talented player for several seasons, but the present in the game couldn’t be much more clear. Anthony has three 90-plus ratings to give him a spot on this list.
  8. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves, 86 – Very comparable to Anthony in many ways and significantly younger, it shouldn’t surprise gamers if Wiggins surpasses Anthony in the ratings for next year’s game.
  9. Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks, 83 – When on the court with Dallas, there should be no doubt about who the focal point of the offense should be. Barnes brings several high 80s ratings to the hardwood.
  10. Otto Porter, Washington Wizards, 83 – Barely behind Barnes in a few skills, Porter keeps up the representation for an underrated Washington squad in the game.

Honorable mention: Charlotte Hornets forward Nicolas Batum also has an 83 overall rating, but has fewer higher skill ratings than both Barnes and Porter.