Thoughts & Observations After Week 10
August 17, 2021
The stage is set for an ultra-competitive TICKET powered by AT&T and NBA 2K League playoffs.
With the final regular-season games in the books, we know who’s headed for Dallas to perform back in the studio Aug. 26-28 during the NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered with DoorDash, and which teams still have to fight for the right to extend their title hopes.
The Beasts of the East
All season long, Wizards District Gaming has proven to be the league’s most consistent team. They have stayed locked in at the top of my power rankings and the Eastern Conference standings.
Their consistency across all positions anchored by Dayfri on the inside and JBM at the point makes WDG the definitive favorite to repeat as NBA 2K League champions. WDG finished the season with a 1-1 split with 76ers GC to wrap up the campaign with a league-best 22-6 record. That is an insane .785 win percentage and firmly puts them in the league’s top squad position.
@WizardsDG just keep on getting W's🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/ZCdoJcWXOl
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) July 29, 2021
The Best of the West
T-Wolves Gaming began the season looking like the best team in the league. They won THE TIPOFF powered by AT&T, and their dynamic backcourt helped keep them in my Top 5 teams most of the season.
The team experienced a bit of a rough patch during Week 5 when Cavs Legion GC swept them, but they rebounded to reclaim the top spot in the Western Conference. With a season-ending sweep of the troubled Lakers Gaming squad, the T-Wolves claimed the top spot in the Western Conference with a 21-7 record.
Could this be the first time in NBA 2K League history that we see the champions from the last 2 seasons battle for the crown?
A WDG-T-Wolves Gaming NBA 2K League Finals would be epic, but both teams have a field of teams hellbent on pulling an upset in front of them.
.@TWolvesGaming end their season on a 2-0 sweep💯 pic.twitter.com/gf7ngAaYIL
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) August 13, 2021
The Most Dangerous TICKET Team
A few teams looked strong at different points during the season, but swoons eliminated them from immediate qualification for the NBA 2K League playoffs.
Well, that’s why they invented THE TICKET. Let’s not get it twisted; if Lakers Gaming, Hawks Talon GC, or Bucks Gaming find themselves in the NBA 2K League playoffs after THE TICKET, it’ll be a certified miracle. These squads have been amongst dysfunctional and lower-performer teams in the league.
That said, there are a few teams in THE TICKET I would consider dangerous. Kings Guard Gaming has a shot, but their late-season performance, which saw them fall out of the playoffs in the final 3 weeks of the regular season, has me worried.
.@KingsGuardGG end their season with a clean 2-0 sweep🧹 pic.twitter.com/YLDfyY9EKZ
— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) August 14, 2021
What we saw from Kings Guard Gaming in Week 10 might indicate what to expect from them in THE TICKET. They won their last two games, which still wasn’t enough to escape THE TICKET, and those wins came against Lakers Gaming, which has become one of the most automatic Ws in league history. They lost three of four to Warriors Gaming and quickly looked like the inferior team overall.
My TICKET team to watch is Raptors Uprising GC. Their late-season acquisition of Dimez gives them the talent to have the sort of dual guard attack that has been so successful for T-Wolves Gaming this season. During their debut together, which resulted in a sweep over Nets GC, Dimez and Kenny averaged 57.8 points per game over two contests.
When you look at Dimez, Kenny, Type, TsJosh, and Timely Cook, there is a wealth of competitive 2K experience on the squad, and they could surprise some teams in THE TICKET and maybe even in the 2021 NBA 2K League Playoffs Delivered with DoorDash.
Trash Talk is In Mid-Season Form
Nets GC star Choc believes he should be the NBA 2K League MVP, and he took the time to list his accomplishments, in case you weren’t aware.
3rd in points per game
1st in assists per game
1st in total points created
5th in usage rate
Whether I win the award or not, the most valuable player in this league.
Second to none, remember that. See y’all in Dallas.— Josh Humphries (@choc) August 15, 2021
He corrected himself by posting he was second in the league in scoring. The NBA 2K League is competitive, and not everyone would take this post without responding.
As usual, the polarizing Choc kicked off a wave of exchanges that has only added fuel to the postseason fire. Choc pointed out what he perceives as a double standard related to shot attempts and running up the score.
Nah idc. It’s just funny the pick and choose. I watched 630 take 50 shots yesterday and get worshipped for it. We broke the total scoring record and had fun doing it. That’s what matters to me.
— Josh Humphries (@choc) August 15, 2021
Choc refers to Pacers Gaming star 630, who has been chiefly celebrated for his unabashed offensive approach. In contrast, Choc has heard some criticizm for how he controls just about every aspect of what Nets GC does on offense.
630 didn’t take the indirect shot without replying.
If I had my teammates Fouling every play I would have scored 100 Your the 5th seed stat chasing for an award you have 0 shot at😂😂😂
— 30🖤🤴🏽 (@Xavier_630) August 15, 2021
As the exchange continued, all anyone could do is hope by some stretch these two teams meet in the NBA 2K League Finals.
The only stat you average better than me is points by 3, turnovers and usage rate. You took 50 shots g. That’s stat padding.
— Josh Humphries (@choc) August 15, 2021
You know stats by the tea very impress You are the 5th seed stop worrying bout stats and get wins lol
— 30🖤🤴🏽 (@Xavier_630) August 15, 2021
Choc may have a point, but on the flip side, Pacers Gaming is 20-8 compared to Nets GC’s 16-12 record. The Pacers have been the more consistent team throughout the season, and with more wins usually come fewer critiques of your route to that success. I got nothing but love for Choc, but if we’re talking MVP, the dynamic rookie wins this one.
When comparing two players with comparable stats, the one with the better team success will win every time.
Brian Mazique is a life-long hoops junkie and a fan of the NBA 2K franchise since its inception in 1999. Professionally, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, and has covered sports and video games for the past 15 years for a variety of platforms, including Bleacher Report, Forbes, and Heavy.com. The views on this page are that of this writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA 2K League or its clubs.
