LeBron James‘ name is synonymous with basketball greatness. Since his debut in 2003, the Los Angeles Lakers forward has etched his name across almost every record book, earning a place in debates about the greatest player of all time.
With four NBA championships, multiple MVP awards, and an unmatched career longevity, James has long been a fixture at the top of basketball’s elite lists.
But when NBA 2K26 revealed its latest shooting rankings on Sunday, there was one list where fans expected to see him, and didn’t.
In the three-point shooting category, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry unsurprisingly claimed the top spot with a perfect 99 rating.
The rest of the list featured some familiar sharpshooters: Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Desmond Bane, Zach LaVine, Isaiah Joe, Jarrett Allen, Luke Kennard, Sam Hauser, and Anthony Edwards. LeBron James was nowhere to be found.
Mid-range rankings offer no relief for LeBron fans
If Lakers fans were hoping to see their star make an appearance in the mid-range category, they were in for more disappointment.
The rankings were led by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, both earning a 98 rating. Behind them were Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Nembhard, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Miles McBride, and Khris Middleton.
Once again, James‘ name was absent from the list.
The omission immediately sparked heated discussion among NBA fans, particularly on social media. Many voiced disbelief that a player of James‘ caliber could be left off entirely.
One frustrated fan declared, “LeBron should be number one,” while another echoed the sentiment, simply stating, “lebron should be here.”
Others pointed out the snub with comments like, “Notice how Lebron isn’t there,” suggesting that his absence was glaring and unjustified.
Some fans went further, attacking the game’s developers and their decision-making process. “This list is terrible,” one person wrote, while another bluntly criticized the franchise: “2k ratings getting worse and worse every year.”
LeBron James has never been solely defined by his shooting ability. His career dominance has come from a blend of scoring, playmaking, defense, and leadership.
While his three-point and mid-range percentages have improved over the years, especially in the latter part of his career, his greatest strength has always been versatility rather than elite shooting specialization.
Still, for many fans, leaving James off both lists feels like a slight. After all, this is a player who has spent two decades proving himself against the best, adapting his game to remain relevant in a league increasingly focused on perimeter scoring.
Whether the omission reflects NBA 2K26’s strict statistical criteria or a simple oversight, one thing is certain: the decision has only fueled debate about how modern basketball greatness should be measured, both in real life and in the digital arena.
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