After breaking down the PS4 bracket, Ricco The 2K Analyst is back with more analysis, this time on the Xbox side of the MPBA2K JumpOFF Tournament. Just like on the PS4, $1400 was at stake in this double-elimination tournament, with Good Life taking home the spoils against dual-console threat Breakout in the finals.
And remember, the NBA 2K League scouts were watching.
Seven of the best teams were given a close look for this one, while the upward trending Chilltown also got a write-up. And just like for the PS4 teams, Offensive and Defensive MVP awards were handed out to every squad.
Note: While Breakout had another fantastic tournament run, they’ve been left out of this one. Head on over to Ricco’s breakdown of the PS4 competition for his take on the PS4 champs.
Chilltown
Results
First round: Loss vs. Team Swish
Losers round one: Win vs. Effortless Talent
Losers round two: Loss vs. Slight Work
Chilltown’s record was 1-2 in the MPBA2K JumpOFF but they have potential to be a top-tier team on Xbox. Both of their close losses came against veteran teams Slight Work and Team Swish. Aztecas, who averaged 32 points and 6 assists, is slept on at point guard. NeNe, the 6’5 Playmaking Sharpshooter, also performed well, averaging 18 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds per game. Other players on the team like iLeBren, OfficalMark07 and Trobs contribute to the team even when it doesn’t show in the stats
Offensive MVP: Aztecas is overlooked, but if you watched him in this tournament you may have realized how much of threat he is and how well he facilitates the ball.
Defensive MVP: OfficialMark07 won’t always put up numbers that show how well he played, but he played great defense this tournament
Team Swish
Results
First round: Win vs. Chilltown
Second round: Win vs. Prime Time Playaz
Third round: Loss vs. Breakout
Losers round four: Loss vs. Slight Work
Team Swish performed well, with one of their losses coming down to a buzzer-beater against Breakout in a crazy back-and-forth game. Team Swish owner and captain Dymaris finally recruited a group of players that can compete consistently against top teams.
Offensive MVP: Dymaris dropped 43 points and 3 assists in the first game of the tournament on his way to averaging 23 and 4. A great leader and unselfish player, if you want to play on his team you must have thick skin and be willing to take on-court criticism without getting offended.
Defensive MVP: o 610Mark o is a fearsome center on offense and defense, averaging 21 points and 6 rebounds this tournament. Mark was a sleeper center in the early season of 2K18 but has quickly gained attention recently, and deservedly so.
Cxntract Killaz
Results
First round: Win vs. Ball Gam3
Second round: Loss vs. Breakout
Losers round two: Win vs. GrindTime
Losers round three: Loss vs. Prime Time Playaz
Cxntract Killaz is one of the most unique teams I’ve seen play. They’re unconventional, and that’s a compliment. They went 2-2, losing to Breakout and PTP, but I don’t think they performed bad at all. This team will continue to compete with the best of the best.
Offensive MVP: Jay a Fool is a great point guard who knows when to be aggressive and when not to. In this tournament he did what he was supposed to do and got everyone involved on offense.
Defensive MVP: BeanieMan’s performances sometimes don’t show on stats but he had a great game against Breakout with 4 points, 11 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. He defended the paint well in the tournament matchups.
Space Jam
Results
First round: Win vs. GrindTime
Second round: Loss vs. Good Life
Losers round two: Win vs. Team Caution
Losers round three: Loss vs. Slight Work
It’s obvious Space Jam took a hit when Fab left, but these group of guys still competed well in the tournament. Space Jam took L’s from eventual champions Good Life and Fab’s new squad Slightwork. Space Jam’s starting lineup is full of NBA 2K League prospects. Hotshot and LetsGetItRamo at the 4 and 5 is a crazy duo that makes up the two most consistent performers on the team. Space Jam point guard and owner SpaceJamJT can really take it to the next level for his team when he’s locked in and plays aggressive, and can play shooting guard if needed. Some people knock Ria but he’s a great role player that you want on your team who can adapt in just about any system.
Offensive MVP: This could easily go to JT or Ramo. Both are captains for Space Jam and really stepped up in big games, whether it was making plays on offense or being the leader for the team.
Defense MVP: I like how Hotshot consistently grabs boards, especially in clutch situations. You want a center with high IQ that can be as effective as Hotshot is in the paint.
PrimeTime Playaz
Results
First round: Win vs. Effortless Talent
Second round: Loss vs. Team Swish
Losers round two: Win vs. Major Bump
Losers round three: Win vs. Cxntract Killaz
Losers round four: Loss vs. GFG
I like this team, they have a lot of talent and show potential to be top-tier. Sick x 973, the center for PTP, fits perfectly with this group of guys and is vocal on the court. Guards KingHavoc and Itz Rushz are exciting to watch and should continue to play great together. Players like DHG Shadowz and Gr3atness add the consistent supporting roles to the team.
Offensive MVP: Sharpshooting Athletic Finisher Itz Rushz is one of their main offensive weapons, averaging 23 points and 5 rebounds.
Defensive MVP: I like KingHavoc’s on-ball defense and how he pressures the ball handler trying to force turnovers. He averaged 20 points and 11 assists.
GFG
Results
First round: Win vs. Coast2Coast
Second round: Win vs. Slight Work
Third round: Loss vs. Good Life
Losers round four: Win vs. Prime Time Playaz
Losers round five: Loss vs. Slight Work
I enjoy watching GFG play, the communication and team chemistry is amazing. This veteran group is built on team ball, loyalty and IQ. GFG did well to beat Slight Work in the 2nd round but lost to them in the 5th round loser bracket and lost to Good Life in a close game, 75-73.
Offensive MVP: DrakeGriffin and Compete. I like offenses that have more than one ball handler that can bring the ball up and create different looks and that’s what these two guys do.
Defensive MVP: Lotty and Ty ESGN are some of the most unselfish players I’ve seen. Both guys’ IQ when it comes to protecting the paint, helping and rotating is crazy.
Slight Work
Results
First round: Win vs. Major Bump
Second round: Loss vs. GFG
Losers round two: Win vs. Chilltown
Losers round three: Win vs. Space Jam
Losers round four: Win vs. Team Swish
Losers round five: Win vs. GFG
Losers round six: Loss vs. Breakout
It’s great seeing Slight Work reborn and competing, especially in the MPBA2K tournament. Slight Work came up short in the semifinals against Breakout but this was a learning experience for them. Fab, who is a top 3 point guard without question, is surrounded by a great group of guys in his right-hand-man Majestic, Larry Sr, MamaImDatMan and Gradient.
Offensive MVP: Fab and Majestic continue to prove how effective an offense can be when you have two guards without egos that can create different looks to confuse the defense. Both guys can drop 20+ points with ease while getting the whole team involved.
Defensive MVP: I don’t think people realize how great Fab’s on-ball defense is. There are a lot of point guards out there that can score at will but can’t guard a shopping cart without wheels, which is why Fab is a top guard.
Good Life
Results
First round: Win vs. Top Ranked
Second round: Win vs. Space Jam
Third round: Win vs. GFG
Semifinals: Win vs. Breakout
Finals: Win vs. Breakout
Good Life made a name for themselves after winning this tournament. It’s sickening how loaded Good Life’s starting lineup is with Hood is Glitchy, ByAnyMeansMo, Goofy757, Tone Tone and Detoxys. The dual offensive threat from Mo and Hood, the consistent pressure on defense by Goofy and the supporting roles by Detoxys and Tone Tone was the perfect formula for a perfect record in the tournament.
Offensive MVP: The Mo and Hood duo is insane. If these two guys keep the intensity the sky is the limit.
Defensive MVP: The way Goofy played defense throughout the tournament was amazing, particularly in both games against Breakout.