It’s almost time for another week of NBA 2K League action, and you know what that means: power rankings. In an attempt to make everyone angry sort through what should be a competitive season, we’ll be ranking each team based on a number of factors: results, quality of play, strength of schedule and so on. Results aren’t everything, otherwise we’d just copy and paste the league standings into here.
These are a composite ranking of our three writers’ own rankings, aggregated into one. Let’s get to it.
21. Pistons GT, (1-8 regular season record, 1-11 overall record), last week: 21
The Pistons, by virtue of a bye week, haven’t had the chance to move up these rankings. Has a bye week changed their fortunes?
20. Lakers Gaming, (1-8, 2-10), LW: 20
The Lakers are probably playing for ping-pong balls at this point, but they’ve shown real flashes of promise. Capturing those flashes is the next step.
19. Knicks Gaming, (1-7, 3-9), LW: 19
It seems to be Ticket or bust once again for the Knicks. With no late patch coming to help out, can they turn it around yet again?
18. Wizards District Gaming, (2-6, 3-8), LW: 18
Two steps forward, two steps back. The Wizards lost two after winning two, and their playoff hopes are in serious doubt. They’re still playing for pride, though: count them (and Reese’s newfound scoring touch) out at your own peril.
17. T-Wolves Gaming, (3-6, 7-8), LW: 16
It’s not quite time to throw in the towel for the T-Wolves, but they’ll need a massive late-season surge (or a Ticket title) to make the playoffs. Playing until the clock hits 0:00 will help.
16. Raptors Uprising GC, (4-5, 6-8), LW: 12
The Raptors have the talent, but the consistency hasn’t quite been there all year. They know what it takes to make a late-season charge: can they do it again, though?
15. Grizz Gaming, (4-5, 4-8), LW: 17
This season has somewhat mirrored last season for the Grizz—early tournament struggles, marked regular season improvement. Can they surpass last year and make a late playoff run?
14. Heat Check Gaming, (4-5, 6-8), LW: 11
It’s time for Heat Check to heat up, as they’re just 1-3 since acquiring Hood. They’ve had a bye week to boil about a tough loss—will that spark the necessary improvement?
13. Celtics Crossover Gaming, (4-5, 10-7), LW: 15
The Celtics have emerged from their early-season slump, going 4-1 in the regular season in their last five games. Is it enough to get back in the playoff race, or do they need the Ticket victory they so nearly had last year?
12. Jazz Gaming, (4-4, 7-6), LW: 9
Ria might be the most slept-on first overall pick in the league. His contributions haven’t blown away the competition, but his consistency has helped the Jazz to 4-4 through an up-and-down season.
11. Bucks Gaming, (5-5, 8-8), LW: 7
The Bucks have looked better, but no one has been as deadlocked, as they sit 8-8 on the year. But Arooks is capable of carrying a team, and the Bucks are dangerous when everything clicks.
10. Hawks Talon GC, (4-4, 4-7), LW: 10
Shotz, Shotz and more Shotz has been the key to the Hawks’ success so far, but they’ll need more balanced play. As Rando readjusts to playing off-ball, things will look up.
9. Nets GC, (5-4, 7-6), LW: 8
The Nets can pull off a signature win by taking down 76ers GC, but more importantly, they’re right back in the playoff race after a big 3-0 run. They’ll have a high seed for the Ticket, too.
8. Magic Gaming, (5-4, 8-7), LW: 14
The Magic skyrocket up the rankings after an incredibly strong week. ToXsiK has looked phenomenal since being acquired from Grizz Gaming, and few teams have as versatile a starting lineup as the Magic.
7. Cavs Legion GC, (7-5, 8-7), LW: 13
Cavs Legion is riding high on the strength of a miraculous comeback and a four-game win streak that has gotten them right back into the playoff picture. But they know better than anyone that it’s all about finishing, and they haven’t done so yet.
6. Kings Guard Gaming, (7-4, 8-7), LW: 4
The Kings have earned enough kudos that two losses doesn’t spell disaster, as long as BP returns to high-scoring form. Power forward Yusuf_Scarbz has made a case for himself as one of the most improved players in the league.
5. Pacers Gaming, (5-3, 7-4), LW: 5
The Pacers have relatively few games under their belt heading into week 8. If Matty can recapture his thirty-points-per-game form, Pacers Gaming will be one of the league’s elite teams.
4. 76ers GC, (5-4, 13-5), LW: 6
While they’ve looked a little shaky recently, no one knows how to score like 76ers GC when they get going. Full commitment and attention, as Jeff Terrell might say, and they can set their sights on a higher spot.
3. Warriors Gaming Squad, (7-4, 12-5), LW: 3
The Warriors have cooled off a bit since their Turn title, but don’t let that fool you: they’re still one of the deepest teams in the entire league.
2. Mavs Gaming, (10-1, 12-3), LW: 1
The Mavs’ win streak was cut short by an all-time performance from ZDS, but they’re still one of the best teams in the league. Getting a banner or trophy is the next stop in a great season.
1. Blazer5 Gaming, (10-1, 11-3), LW: 2
Just as they’ve eclipsed Mavs Gaming at the top of the power rankings, Blazer5 could top the Mavs’ single-season win streak record with a victory in their next game.
