Why the Phoenix Suns’ NBA2K25 ratings are raising eyebrows — and what Ronnie2K has to say about it

It’s an annual rite in the NBA, marking the calm before the storm. Before training camps open, before media day buzz, and long before the grind of a six-month regular season begins, there is NBA2K. Released last week, the game serves as a snapshot of the league just before the journey unfolds.

For fans and gamers alike, it offers a first glimpse of our team’s offseason efforts — roster decisions brought to life, albeit in virtual form. But for us, it’s more than just a game. It’s the first spark that reignites our passion and anticipation for the season ahead.

For the second consecutive season, I had an opportunity to talk with Ronnie Singh, also known as Ronnie2K. He is the Head of Lifestyle & Content Marketing for 2K Games. He is also the public face and influencer liaison for the NBA2K franchise, often engaging with the community and representing the game in various media appearances.

With the Phoenix Suns gearing up for what we hope will be another strong season, I found myself wondering why they seem to be flying under the radar in NBA2K25. Despite the high expectations surrounding their roster, their ratings in the game don’t quite reflect the level of talent or potential we anticipate. It raises questions about whether the Suns’ offseason moves and the team’s chemistry are being fully appreciated or if there’s an underlying skepticism that’s causing them to be somewhat overlooked in the virtual world.

Let’s find out why...

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John Voita: My first question for you before we get into some of the fun ratings, what factors went into determining the Suns overall team rating of 83, which is a point lower than it was last year? How do you feel they compared to the other top teams?

Ronnie2K: Look, I’m still bullish on the Suns and I feel like what happened this summer actually probably benefits them more than most. I think Devin understanding how to not just try to score 70 points and really evolve his game into, obviously not a role player, but finding ways to do more than just try to score and work with the team.

There was no better person to do that in Paris than Devin. I think that’s gonna really benefit the Suns as the season goes along.

This isn’t an NBA stimulation. I feel like the one-point dock is probably merited. Last year their bench was a little bit deeper than the year before, and Bradley Beal had joined the team. Then he didn’t play the first nine games, and they never got that continuity together the entire year.

I’m going to be a little bit more of an optimist. I think there were some circumstances that hurt them last year, and you see it with the ratings.

JV: No, we need some of that optimism, because as a fan base, we’re somewhat pessimistic. We didn’t win one playoff game, so you know, for any Suns fans who are frustrated with us dropping from 84 to 83, I think that’s your answer right there. We didn’t perform in the playoffs the lasting impression of this team is one of disappointment, one of embarrassment, if you will.

Now, that being said, how did their team on 2K go from a 63 on defense, which last season was 19th overall in the game, to this season they are 61, which is 29th? The Pistons, Wizards, Hornets, and Blazers all have better defensive ratings than the Suns. What the why?!

R2K: I mean, I actually don’t think that that’s too crazy. If their bench was more defensive-oriented last year, like the guys that they built around Devin and KD...the other thing is, the top three guys have always have had...well, especially Kevin and Bradley...had very big defensive years.

Kevin, people forgot. The year he was on the Warriors, there were a few people [thought he should’ve been] Defensive Player of the Year when he was in the Bay. He didn’t play as like the same defense, and I think that actually hurt his rating in general as well. And you can say that for a lot of the guys on the team, right?

They’re gonna need to stop people. You can’t win games 125-120 every single night in, night out, right? So somebody’s gonna have to. And then they got all the potential.

I like Devin. Look at how he played in Paris, but he’s motivated and he’s got a core around him, and he trusts the people behind him. He’s a pretty good defender. He’s not the best defender in the league, but he’s a pretty good defender. He’s probably the best two-way shooting guard in the league now.

They’re gonna have to step up. I don’t think it’s the massive delta between 29th and 19th. There’s a lot of teams in the NBA that just don’t really play defense. Do they have the capability of doing it? Of course. So it’s gonna be very interesting.

JV: I still would like to see a better defense than the Pistons in the video game. So we gotta earn it. I get you. We gotta earn it.

R2K: I mean, it’s it’s there. They got plenty of guys that have proven to be great defensive players before. Do they want to play defense? I guess we’re going to find out.

JV: So you mentioned Devin Booker a couple of times, and yes, he had a fantastic Olympic run and showcased to the majority of the world what he can do when he’s not the primary scorer, which he’s been in Phoenix. He was an All-Star last season. He averaged 27.1 points per game, which was 7th in the league, and he’s a Third Team All-NBA Selection. He had a career-high with 6.7 assists, which was 14th most in the NBA.

How’d he drop from a 95 to a 93 this year?

R2K: Some of it is result-oriented right? You look at the guys that are ranked above him. And you look at how that team ultimately failed, and the end of the season for him.

Going into the playoffs. It was kind of rough, right? We don’t work on small sample sizes, but in his case — and really, in the Suns' case — there’s a lot to be alarmed about, right? And so are we projecting a little bit of a dip that was worthy at the end of the year? Yeah.

The ratings didn’t capture the Olympics in the summer. It’s not what they’re intended for. Totally different game.

Devin kind of has sort of fallen under the ultra-first tier. I’ve been saying in interviews. Any of the top 11 could make a case by the end of the season that they should be number one. You know, who’s not in that top 11? Devin. I’m not saying that he can’t do it. I’m just saying that he really needs to come out of the gate [like] a man on fire.

JV: Kevin Durant’s a 94 overall in the game. What we’re all wondering in Phoenix is why is he not a 95 like Lebron and Steph Curry?

R2K: Kind of another one of those cases. It’s probably a little team-oriented, it probably hurts them. And then I also think that Steph has kind of maintained his shooting prowess, and LeBron maintained being a pretty good defender. Now he doesn’t play every possession, but you know when he does, he’s strong. And still being able to kind of do everything and put a team on his back.

Not that Kevin can’t do any of that stuff.

It’s just at the end of the year, he also kind of disappeared. And I think both of those guys, if you grab their rating in February or March of last year, they’re both at least a point or two higher.

Kevin Durant is 4 points below Nikola Jokic, who won MVP. It’s probably about right.

The Suns got a lot to answer for. I’m very passionate about this because I’m in Phoenix all the time. I go to Suns games. I’m close with Kevin, as you know. Obviously, Devin was our cover star, and him and I have opened up basketball courts together. He’s a great dude. That team. It’s time.

JV: It’s like Bradley Beal was screaming at the end of the season. “It’s time, it’s time”...and it never was time for the Suns.

R2K: I really hope Bradley is healthy and becomes the player he was. Because man with the Wizards he was so good. If those three can play near their peak...I’m not saying go back to your prime, but I’m saying if they play peak basketball. That team’s scary.

You can’t forget about that team.

What we saw last year, it never coming together. I still believe I like they’re just too good. Is the depth there? Is the defense there on the back end? Those are both question marks. Can they stay healthy? That’s a little bit of a question mark.

I know Kevin and Devin very, very well, and I know Bradley pretty well. They’re all very smart guys, and part of the problem with being smart is that like you kind of get in your own way. It takes time to make decisions because you’re like, “Oh, do I need to make sure my other star teammate is involved? Do I make sure that we’re shifting properly? Who’s scoring at the end?” All these questions come in when they’re so damn talented they should just play basketball.

But maybe that’s it’s as simple as that. And maybe that clicked with Devin being around so much talent in Paris. That’s why I’m hoping that experience that [he] had helps the Suns more than anyone, and I think it will.

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The game is officially out, and now it’s your turn to put the Phoenix Suns to the test! Can you take control of their defense and transform them into a lockdown squad that shuts down even the toughest opponents? And let’s talk about the thrill of playing with the Big Three—Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, all on the same court. Imagine the electric fast breaks, the clutch shots, and the unstoppable offensive firepower at your fingertips.

This is your chance to rewrite the Suns’ story and unleash their full potential. Are you ready to take on the challenge?

You can watch the entire interview on tonight’s Suns JAM Session Podcast: