1. Warriors Gaming Squad 6-0
2. T-Wolves Gaming 6-0
3. NBL Oz Gaming 5-1
4. Bucks Gaming 4-2

 

It has been a weird start to the year for Bucks Gaming in 5v5. They are somehow 5-1 despite having a negative point differential! Their defense has been objectively pretty terrible, Bottom 5 in opp. Ppg, opp. FG%, opp. 3P%, they are bottom of the barrel in almost every defensive stat. Running 5 out has definitely solved some of their offensive problems, Johhny’s scoring has seen some huge increases this week, but I seriously wonder how sustainable this is. Can they win another championship with their defense at  this level? I say no, but I’ve learned not to doubt Coach Sessions and the rest of Bucks Gaming at this point.

 

5. Grizz Gaming 4-2
6. CLTX Gaming 4-2
7. Gen.G Tigers 3-3
8. Heat Check Gaming 4-2

 

Watching Heat Check Gaming is a fever dream. When they look good, they look as good as any team in the east right now. But…when they look bad…oh man. The best part about watching them is that you never truly know what to expect or which version of the team you are going to see. For now, let’s focus on the positive. Ky is an absolute animal, and when this team is playing great defense, he absolutely feasts. His PPP is a little bit low for my liking (1.04), but I don’t totally care. Feed the man! His hot streaks are truly unique among guards right now. tHE next step is for him to carry this on stage and win them some real money.

 

9. 76ers GC 3-3
10. Magic Gaming 3-3
11. Cavs Legion GC 3-3
12. Blazer5 Gaming 3-3
13. Pacers Gaming 3-3
14. NetsGC 2-4

 

Really, really tough break for NetsGC. I thought they played pretty well in almost all of their games, but they just couldn’t quite get over the hump. In 3 of their 4 losses, they fell by single digits. 3 points once and 4 points the two others, it was the difference between them finishing at the top of the group and missing out on bracket stage like they did this time around. I think this team should see a win% rebound in THE TURN, but not being able to even hit .500 for Brooklyn this tournament has to hit where it hurts.

 

15. Hornets Venom GT 3-3 
16. Dux Infinitos 3-3
17. Pistons GT 2-4
18. Knicks Gaming 3-3

Uh…Knicks…you good? 3-3 record, negative point differential, one of the worst offenses in the league, just not what we expected this team to look like at this point this season. They looked better this week, the 2-1 record is nice, but they still look like they are hunting for answers. Their offense has been pretty tough to watch so far this season. 60.3 ppg on 52.1% FG% which ranks 17th and 20th in the league respectively, it just simply has not been good enough on that end yet. Malik has been decent, 22.3 PPG on 90.9 TS%, but the rest of the team just isn’t hitting enough shots. Radiant, Stick, and Burch are just 26/66 from 3-point range to start the season. Just simply not good enough. Good news, is that they have 30 points which keeps them in playoff striking range heading into THE TURN.

 

19. Raptors Uprising GC 3-3
20. Wizards DG 2-4
21. Mavs Gaming 2-4
22. Lakers Gaming 1-5
23. Kings Guard 1-5
24. Jazz Gaming 1-5

 

I talked about Hawks Talon last week, so i’ll leave them alone this time. Jazz Gaming though? We need to talk. This 5-out formation they are running has been absolutely terrible. Third worst defense in the league while scoring under 60 points game. I get some other West teams are running it and it kind of works, but I don’t think they have the personnel for this at all. Why take Ria away from the paint? He’s one of the best pure centers in 2K history on both sides of the floor, how does taking him away from the boards make this team better? Look, I feel for Jazz Gaming. Losing Splash and having to deal with this Western Conference is brutal, but I’m not sure they can stick with the 5-out. Simply not working for them.

 

25. Hawks Talon GC 1-5