As Fall approaches the NFL isn't the only sport set to return in a major way. Fans of the NBA are currently picking up NBA 2K23 to get their basketball fix as the NBA season inches ever closer. The NBA 2K series isn't perfect, but with little to no competition in the space, it's the best simulation basketball experience on the market.
The power forward position in the NBA is currently in a weird place because so many of the top guys are varied in both their build and skill sets. Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis are two very different players but happen to both play the same listed position. Whether they're a lanky scorer or a stocky high-flyer like Zion Williamson, the league is home to some stud power forwards.
8 Scottie Barnes (84)
Scottie Barnes is a key example of how the Toronto Raptors are building their team. They believe that long versatile athletes are the future of the sport, as they can make lineups virtually positionless and creates offensive and defensive versatility.
Barnes missed a handful of games due to injury, but still managed to make the NBA All-Rookie team and took home the NBA Rookie of the Year award as well. The 84 overall is listed primarily as a power forward, but that's nothing more than a label as he finds himself in a handful of roles depending on the set of the Raptors' offense or defense.
7 Evan Mobley (84)
Funny enough, if it wasn't for the Cleveland Cavaliers already employing an All-Star caliber center in Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley would have likely entered the league with the center position being his primary spot. Thanks to the Cavs roster, Mobley's athleticism can be developed into someone who can create havoc both offensive and defensively.
If the hype was warranted with Mobley, it's likely that his NBA 2K23 overall of 84 is the lowest it will be in the series for quite a while. Averaging 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks as a rookie power forward is pretty solid for the USC product.
6 Pascal Siakam (86)
With the Toronto Raptors focusing on building a roster of long and versatile forwards, it's no surprise that they have two guys landing near the top in NBA 2K23. The younger Scottie Barnes was discussed earlier, but now it's time to shift focus on the talented veteran Pascal Siakam.
Despite being the focus of trade discussions during the 2022 NBA offseason, Siakam remains in Toronto, where the team hopes his 86 overall can help them contend in the NBA Eastern Conference. The six-year pro has already managed to fill out his resume with a Most Improved Player award, an NBA Championship, one All-Star appearance, and two appearances on the All-NBA team.
5 Zion Williamson (87)
If one were to look up potential in the dictionary they'd likely come across a picture of New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson. This mammoth of a man has world-class athleticism and comes with a rare combination of quickness and power. Williamson missed all of last season, but fans across the league are hoping the days of missing games are behind him and he emerges as a true NBA superstar this upcoming season.
It's hard to land an overall of 87 in NBA 2K, so the fact that Williamson was gifted this in NBA 2K23 showcases that the league and everything surrounding it want him to stay healthy and reach his full potential.
4 Anthony Davis (90)
Anthony Davis and injuries are a partnership that has persisted for the talented big man since his first stepped foot on an NBA court as a member of the New Orleans Hornets back in 2012. Sure he managed to help LeBron James bring an NBA Championship back to the Los Angeles Lakers, but fans need assurance that he's their future.
Last season Davis was only able to play in 40 games, so if the Lakers want to return to the NBA Playoffs and be contenders they'll need their 90 overall power forward to be on the court. Thankfully fans can turn off injuries in NBA 2K23, allowing them to get the most out of the man with the fearsome unibrow.
3 Jayson Tatum (93)
Jayson Tatum is coming off of an impressive year that had plenty of highs and lows. Sure, he took his Boston Celtics team to the NBA Finals, but it was clear Tatum's lack of experience affected him in the most important games of his career.
He's still young, and the Celtics are full of young talent, making this last season the first of likely multiple deep runs in the Eastern Conference side of the NBA Playoffs. A combination of 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists is what Tatum averaged last season, and based on his career track record those will improve heading into this season for the 93 overall power forward in NBA 2K23.
2 Kevin Durant (96)
For the entirety of his career, Kevin Durant has always felt like a created player in NBA 2K. Someone standing at practically seven feet tall and possessing his scoring ability from all three levels feels like a cheat code. Injuries have caught up to Durant in recent years, but when he's on the court it's hard to deny just how much he can single-handedly affect the outcome of a game.
On social media, Durant suggested he was a bit disappointed in his 96 overall rating in NBA 2K23, but in context, he's still one of the highest-rated guys in the game, but the greats always find ways to put chips on their shoulders.
1 Giannis Antetokounmpo (97)
Most fans would consider Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as the Greek Freak, to be the best basketball player in the world these days. He's a complete player who plays both sides of the ball and happened to be rewarded for his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks with an NBA Championship in recent years. His 97 overall is the highest in NBA 2K23, regardless of position, and was earned by an incredible athlete who has displayed himself as also an incredible human being.
Antetokounmpo is currently in his prime, and because NBA fans have been spoiled by LeBron James, it's unclear how long Antetokounmpo will stay at the top of the mountain.
NBA 2K23 is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and PC.