The NBA 2K League’s remote play system has brought the league plenty of excitement in its first two weeks, with some teams taking to the system quickly and others struggling in their first matchups. The hot takes have started to fly, so 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.
While numbers don’t lie, they also don’t show the whole picture. To remedy this, we threw a variety of those numbers at the wall, and this week’s featured number is “One Possession Games,” which counts games ending in three points or fewer.
These are a composite ranking of our own rankings, aggregated into one. Let’s get to it.
Not yet played: Celtics Crossover Gaming, Jazz Gaming, NetsGC, Pistons GT
19. Heat Check Gaming (0-4)
Opponent WPCT: 62%
Teams Played Under .500: 1
One Possession Games: 2
Miami will bounce back, as there’s too much talent on the roster for them not to. They just need to focus on keeping their head above water until they find rhythm offensively, or at the very least sustain it throughout a series.
18. Lakers Gaming (0-4)
Opponent WPCT: 69%
Teams Played Under .500: 1
One Possession Games: 4
Despite the pro-8 controversy, this is a talented group that hasn’t been able to overcome a string of close games and unhelpful hotel wi-fi. The Lakers are currently the team whose record is most deceiving.
17. 76ers GC (0-4)
Opponent WPCT: 92%
Teams Played Under .500: 0
One Possession Games: 0
With the most difficult schedule of any team to begin the season, the 76ers have struggled to keep games competitive. However, their most recent bout against T-Wolves Gaming was a step in the right direction, and their years of success bump them up just a tiny bit.
16. Grizz Gaming (0-2)
Opponent WPCT: 88%
One Possession Games: 0
Having to deal with the 2020 Raptors buzzsaw and then BP and company in Atlanta is a tough ask for anyone, especially to begin the season. We still need to see more of this team in action to see if they belong with the previously mentioned teams.
15. Pacers Gaming (1-3)
Opponent WPCT: 43%
One Possession Games: 2
Indy could easily be sitting at .500 if it wasn’t for a heart-breaking missed layup. Up next is a tricky matchup against 76ers GC who despite sitting at 0-4, could present an array of problems playing the role of a wounded and desperate team.
14. Cavs Legion (1-3)
Opponent WPCT: 69%
One Possession Games: 0
Out of the teams placed in this area of the power rankings, Cavs Legion has faced the most difficult schedule. This roster, though, still needs to be able to prove they can take a game from one of the higher ranked teams.
13. Knicks Gaming (1-1)
Opponent WPCT: 25%
One Possession Games: 0
The new era of Knicks Gaming is off to an entertaining start. It’s still early, but we’re looking forward to seeing if they can recapture some of that season one stage presence. A good start would be handing the undefeated Raptors their first loss of the year.
12. Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai (1-2)
Opponent WPCT: 50%
One Possession Games: 2
This is the only team in this part of the rankings to have won a game in each of their best-of-three matchups, including a gutsy performance against the undefeated Warriors Gaming Squad. Both expansion teams are off to a great start.
11. Bucks Gaming (2-2)
Opponent WPCT: 45%
One Possession Games: 1
Led by an early rookie of the year candidate in Regg, the Bucks have shown they can take care of business when expected, but still need to reach another gear if they want to truly contend. Squidris is proving to be an inspired pick after picking up the slack at center.
10. Magic Gaming (1-1)
Opponent WPCT: 57%
One Possession Games: 2
The Magic were only a few possessions away from beating a top team in Washington, but currently sit at .500. Don’t be surprised if they quietly travel up the rankings throughout the next few weeks.
9. Kings Guard (2-2)
Opponent WPCT: 60%
One Possession Games: 2
Talk about Jekyll and Hyde team. Kings Guard can blow out the Mavs and then immediately get flooded next game. They can beat a winless squad in the Lakers, and then also be one possession away from beating Warriors Gaming Squad.
8. Hornets Venom GT (2-1)
Opponent WPCT: 42%
One Possession Games: 1
There is definitely something there to work with for the upstart expansion franchise. New team, new threads, and Zae providing us with a new way to play the PF position.
7. T-Wolves Gaming (2-1)
Opponent WPCT: 42%
One Possession Games: 0
The defending champions were caught off guard by an onslaught from BP, but have bounced back since. If they’ve proven anything, it’s that early season form isn’t their final form.
6. Wizards District Gaming (2-1)
Opponent WPCT: 50%
One Possession Games: 3
To date, the Wizards have been the team closest to knocking off the undefeated Raptors. We could easily be talking about them being in strong contention for the number one spot on these rankings. Dayfri, meanwhile, is making his own case to be this year’s top big man.
5. Blazer5 Gaming (2-0)
Opponent WPCT: 13%
One Possession Games: 2
Always a contender headed into the playoffs, Blazer5 is off to a perfect start, but we’re excited and eager to see them go into some matchups with .500 teams this week. OneWildWalnut is already off to another MVP type of season.
4. Hawks Talon GC (3-1)
Opponent WPCT: 54%
One Possession Games: 1
After learning from their first game with the still-undefeated Mavs, Hawks Talon GC has been an entertaining and charismatic bunch, reeling off a string of dominant wins. With BP leading the way, the sky’s the limit for the Hawks.
3. Mavs Gaming (4-0)
Opponent WPCT: 31%
One Possession Games: 2
Mavs Gaming had a quality win over a Hawks Talon GC team that clearly has proven they are part of the current “Elite 4”. There have been a couple of close calls along the way, but perfection is perfection.
2. Warriors Gaming Squad (4-0)
Opponent WPCT: 29%
One Possession Games: 3
The top 3 was tough to decide between, as you can’t take anything away from teams that are 4-0. Warriors Gaming Squad has taken care of the opponents they have been scheduled for, which is much easier said than done.
1. Raptors Uprising GC (4-0)
Opponent WPCT: 33%
One Possession Games: 3
The wins against Wizards DG and Hornets Venom GT put the Raptors at the top. If they can get past Knicks Gaming, an epic matchup against talented Hawks Talon GC awaits. That game alone could dramatically alter what the top of this list looks like next week.
