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 three of our writers’ own rankings, aggregated into one. Let’s get to it.
21. Pistons GT, (1-12 regular season record, 1-17 overall record), last week: 21
Time for the Pistons to take out a mortgage on the basement for the home stretch. Can they climb over the Lakers and Knicks in their last three games?
20. Lakers Gaming (2-11, 3-14), LW: 20
It’s been more of a Lake No than a Lake Show this year, but the expansion team has three games to settle things before their real, important season begins.
19. Knicks Gaming (2-10, 7-13), LW: 19
The Knicks have played with more punch since the Ticket, but they’re a little late to the fight after a long championship hangover.
18. Hawks Talon GC (4-8, 4-12), LW: 18
A frustrating second half of the season for Atlanta means it’s pretty much time to think about next year. Finishing 8-8 wouldn’t be a bad four moral victories, though!
17. Heat Check Gaming (4-8, 8-12), LW: 16
The most talented 4-8 team in the league, there are plenty of questions to answer about their six-game slide, assuming they don’t earn a miraculous, last-gasp playoff berth.
16. Grizz Gaming (6-7, 6-11), LW: 17
It’s been a positive season for the Grizz, though they’re still searching for tournament success. The building blocks, now, are there, and the team still might finish with its first-ever above-.500 record.
15. Wizards District Gaming (5-7, 6-10), LW: 15
A winning record isn’t impossible, but the Wizards have picked up some solid wins and some real victories (congrats, coach Pat!) during a tumultuous season.
14. Jazz Gaming (6-8, 9-11), LW: 12
Despite having three first-round picks, and two top-3 picks, on the roster, the Jazz have gone off key late in the year, especially during last week’s disastrous 0-2 outing.
13. Raptors Uprising GC (6-7, 9-11), LW: 14
NBA success may have to suffice this year, and the Uprising probably won’t lose anyone of such consequence as Kawhi. Nonetheless, a tough season for this league’s lone Canadian team.
12. T-Wolves Gaming (7-6, 12-9), LW: 13
The T-Wolves’ impressive resilience has them 7-6, with an outside shot to make the playoffs, but a tough test against Blazer5 stands in the way. Can BearDaBeast lead a late charge and potentially throw his hat into the ROY ring?
11. Cavs Legion GC (8-7, 10-10), LW: 11
Week 10 wasn’t the time to notch a 1-1 split, but it’s not entirely over for the Cavs, who have one game remaining… and a lot of luck for which to hope.
10. Bucks Gaming (8-7, 9-11), LW: 10
The Bucks have plateaued at the exact wrong time, with two 1-1 splits against playoff hopefuls since the Ticket. Can they stabilize enough for a season-ending win and get enough help to make the playoffs?
9. NetsGC (7-5, 9-8), LW: 7
The league’s foremost-ranking expansion team, NetsGC has its destiny in its own hands. Their record in their final four games will determine their playoff future.
8. Magic Gaming (8-5, 13-9), LW: 9
Orlando’s fate doesn’t quite rest on their huge game against the Celtics, but picking up a win there would do wonders for the Magic’s attempt to clinch their first-ever playoff berth.
7. Warriors Gaming Squad (7-8, 16-9), LW: 4
Turn and Ticket hangover? The Warriors have plummeted since making history, and a first-round date with Blazer5 looks likely.
6. Celtics Crossover Gaming (8-5, 14-8), LW: 8
No one’s been hotter than the Celtics, who’ve resurrected their season after an inexplicable 1-5 start. Making the playoffs in large part by beating the Magic, who eliminated Boston in week 12 last year, would be the cherry on top.
5. Pacers Gaming (8-4, 14-6), LW: 5
The Pacers have had two weeks to solidify things on the court with a very tough schedule remaining. Recapturing their Ticket form, which earned a run to the finals, is of the essence.
4. 76ers GC (8-5, 17-7), LW: 3
A playoff berth is likely, not certain, but a league-high 17 wins throughout the year has the DIMER panel liking the 76ers’ chances with three games to go.
3. Kings Guard Gaming (10-5, 11-9), LW: 6
It’s been a franchise-changing season for the Kings, who sit 10-5 and essentially locked into the playoffs just one year removed from a 4-10 debacle. Coach DJ Layton and point guard BP, consequently, are leading award candidates.
2. Mavs Gaming (11-4, 13-7), LW: 2
Rux is back in the lineup for the Mavs, who’ve understandably slid a little since clinching the playoffs with an all-time win over Warriors Gaming Squad. Making everything work in the playoffs is the next step.
1. Blazer5 Gaming (14-1, 15-4), LW: 1
The Blazers have a chance, in week 12, to log their league-record fifteenth straight win, as well as hit the 90% mark for all-time regular season winning percentage. They’ll trade all that for postseason success.
