Classic Teams Low Ratings

The 95-96 Bulls, who won 72 games and a championship, have lower ratings (team) than the 2011-2012 Thunder who didn't win a championship.

Why the low ratings?

it was a much easier game back then the players now are at least 3 times as good thats why the better ratings. now people can finally see that kevin durant > michael jordan.

Exactly. Just like Kobe Bryant > Larry Bird and Bill Russell.

Classic teams in 2k11 - 2k13 are terribly rated, which includes players/coaches and tendencies. It doesn't help that they're incomplete rosters, so yeah that's nothing new.

I've played the 95-96 Bulls against the Heat and Thunder and won both games. The bench, without me playing (was locking as Jordan) erased a 9 pt. Heat lead while Lebron and Wade were still on the floor.

I don't pay much mind to the overall team ratings, their significance is overblown.

As for why it happens, it's a product of the players on the roster. Top to bottom, the 1996 Bulls weren't necessarily the most talented team on paper, then or now. However, as a team they played better than the sum of their parts and they obviously had a huge advantage in terms of their talent at the top in MJ, Pip and Rodman. When it comes to video games, the ratings of guys like Randy Brown, Jud Buechler and Bill Wennington - key reserves on that team - drag the overall down a bit to the point where it doesn't necessarily reflect that team's strength.

In short, overall ratings are overrated.