Is LeBron James really in a five way tie for the best player in the NBA? Well, if you believe this year's 2K rankings, yes. Yes he is. The issue isn't whether they're right or wrong, exactly, but it does drive home the paradox of LeBron these days, and the tension that goes along with building a team around him. On the one hand, he's not *that guy* on a night in, night out basis, across a full season's worth of games. He's not going to play in all 82. Or probably even 72. You hope for something over 62. But for one night, can he be that good? For one series? Yes, yes he can. Anthony Davis? Just behind LeBron's 97 ranking, at a 94. And the same basic dynamic exists with him, too. He's capable of playing elite ball, but do you know he's going to be there? Meanwhile, the folks at 2K produced some fun numbers about the team, some that seem accurate, some fans hope are wishcasting, and finally others that make you wonder if they've ever actually seen any of these players on the floor. And how about the new flopping rules? The NBA announced that the league will be cracking down on them this season, calling T's for players who egregiously violate flopping sensibilities. And the Laker this likely impacts most? Austin Reaves. Especially if refs don't tolerate embellishment on the offensive side of things. Because embellishing fouls is a form of flopping, right? Reaves is a guy who has built selling contact (not flopping, necessarily, but selling contact) into his game on both sides of the ball. Could he be impacted by the rules? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The 2K rankings are out for next year. Is LeBron overrated? SEGMENT 2: Fun with 2K numbers and the Lakers. SEGMENT 3: Austin Reaves and the new flopping rules. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free Yeti style tumbler. You won’t want to take your birddogs off we promise you. Ibotta Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code MLB when you register.Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code LOCKED. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA for 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices