The 10 best teams to play with in NBA 2K17
NBA 2K17 is being released tomorrow, on September 16, so it’s time to get even more excited, look at the 10 best teams to play with, and find the ideal one for your play style.
Mar 20, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
NBA 2K17 is almost here! Real life NBA action may still be about a month away, but we can all start playing with our favorite teams and players early thanks to the developers at 2K.
Offseason moves have drastically changed the landscape of the league, and exciting young prospects are breathing life into stale franchises. The Golden State Warriors look ridiculously formidable, while the young Minnesota Timberwolves have Karl-Anthony Towns and more future potential than anyone.
This alone gives this year’s NBA 2K the potential to be the most entertaining game yet in the series. There’s just so much good choice.
We talked earlier about the four most entertaining teams to play with in 2K. But let’s expand it a little.
Let’s try and predict the top ten teams in 2K17 that will give you the most bang for you buck, and which team will best suit your own play style.
I will give a detailed explanation for each ranking.
So, let’s get started with number ten.
Mar 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) high fives forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
10. New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony is one of the NBA’s most well-rounded offensive players. This translates extremely well into the 2K games.
Anthony has a smooth perimeter game, sweet pull-up shot, and post-up moves for days. The Knicks were a hard team to play with in previous versions of 2K because it was a one man show. Carmelo is a beast, but the team was thin behind him.
Now, the Knicks have more talent that can thrive in 2K with Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose.
Porzingis is one of the NBA’s most exciting young talents, and should be a fun stretch big to play as. D-Rose may not be the player he was when he won the MVP award in 2011, but he is still a terror on the fast break. Plus, in the virtual world of 2K, he should be able to stay healthy.
If you like running your team through one player who can play from both the perimeter and the post, the Knicks are a pretty solid choice.
Feb 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guards C.J. McCollum (3) and Damian Lillard (0) celebrate after Lillard was fouled late in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
9. Portland Trail Blazers
If you like great three-point shooting backcourts, the Portland Trail Blazers probably aren’t the first team you think of. Simply because they don’t have the Splash Brothers. But the combination of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum might just be the second-best shooting backcourt in the NBA.
Lillard is a solid point guard in 2K. He has smooth handles, an extremely quick first step, and a great deep ball. McCollum had a coming out party last year, winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. He averaged 20.8 points a game while shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range.
They don’t have too much help in the frontcourt, but they added a new athletic big to run the floor in Festus Ezeli and have one of the best scoring guard combos in the league.
If you play with your guards primarily and tend to neglect your bigs, the Blazers are a great choice.
May 6, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson during the fourth quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
8. San Antonio Spurs
Defense is one of the harder skills to master in the NBA 2K games. Especially perimeter defense.
Offensive players always seem to have the edge, and keeping a ball handler in front of you can be tricky. This is why the basketball gods created Kawhi Leonard. “The Claw” is one of the few players in 2K who gives you a chance at shutting down perimeter players when you’re in control.
The Spurs are stacked with great jump shooters, so ball movement on offense is the key here. Keep rotating the ball around until you find an open shooter; chances are they’ll make the shot.
If you like a lot of passing on offense, or revel in frustrating your opponent by shutting down their best offensive weapon, the Spurs are the team for you.
Oct 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrates with guard John Wall (2) after scoring a 3-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center.The Wizards beat the Bucks 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
7. Washington Wizards
This is another team that is defined by its guard play. Bradley Beal is a solid shooting with a nice all around game (who, in virtual form, can stay healthy); but what really makes this one of 2k’s more entertaining teams is John Wall. He is one of the NBA’s most well-rounded point guards and a human highlight reel.
Otto Porter Jr. is a nice young player who could see a ratings boost this year, and Markieff Morris is a solid stretch four option.
But this is the John Wall show. His handles are spectacular and he breaks ankles left and right. If you like running your team through a well-rounded, athletic point guard, and like the penetrate and kick-out style of play, the Wizards are a sold choice.
Mar 25, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks in the first quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
6. Milwaukee Bucks
John Henson, Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams. This team is long, young, long, athletic, and long. Did I mention they’re a long team? They could complete hands across America with just their starting five. This has to be the most physically intimidating team in the league. The line-up possibilities are nearly endless as pretty much every player on the roster can play multiple positions.
Thon Maker adds another level of intrigue, and Greg Monroe and Khris Middleton bring some serious depth to this team and new dynamics to the offense.
The Bucks have one of the NBA’s most intriguing young cores, have some solid veterans, and could be a surprisingly good team in real life this year as well.
If you like your teams long and athletic, and like fastbreaks started by your defense, the Bucks are a great choice.
Mar 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have the best dunking guard combo in the NBA.
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Russell Westbrook is the league’s most athletic point guard (and probably the most athletic in history) and this year he will be teamed up with fellow high flyer Victor Oladipo.
This is going to be one of the games most entertaining teams even without K.D.
Steven Adams plays with an edge, and I can’t wait to see his mustache beautifully rendered in the new game. I’m predicting a breakout season for the big New Zealander.
The loss of Kevin Durant is huge and it’s not like Enes Kanter or anyone else can hope to step up and replace him. But that’s fine, as this team is all about the freakishly athletic duo of Westbrook and Oladipo.
If you like dynamic guard play and dunking like crazy, the Thunder are the team for you.
Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) high fives center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
There is a lot of early excitement around this team, and rightly so. Reigning Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns leads the team with his impressive 88 2K17 rating. Flashy passer Ricky Rubio runs the point, and you have two of the leagues highest flyers on the wings in Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins.
This is another young team with oodles of potential. There is a lack of great outside shooting options, but the T-Wolves have some of the NBA’s best slashers and back door cutters. You could run this team through Towns at the high post and really maximize the skill sets of Wiggins and LaVine. Not to mention break out tirelessly in transition.
Rubio is one of the 2K’s more entertaining point guards because of his pension for highlight reel passes, and Kevin Garnett is as demonstrative as players come.
The T-Wolves could surprise a lot of people this year, and they are a great choice if you are looking for a team to deliver highlight play after highlight play.
Dec 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shakes hands with center DeAndre Jordan (6) before playing the Houston Rockets in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
3. Los Angeles Clippers
Lob City, baby. It still applies. Blake Griffin is a beast in the NBA 2K games and DeAndre Jordan should be better then ever.
Chris Paul has an Ideal skill set for running a virtual team. He can defend, he can shoot from anywhere, and he is the league’s best passer. J.J. Redick is a spot up shooting dream, and Jamal Crawford is a bailout specialist, making contested jumpers with efficiency.
The top teams in 2K can really do it all. They are good defensively, have great shooters, amazing athletes, and superstars at key positions. The Clippers will suite any play style you want, but if you really want to maximize your chances with this team, try utilizing the high-low pick-and-roll the Clippers run all the time in real life.
Griffin is a rare combination of passing and finishing ability, and DJ is the NBA’s best lob finisher. Add in CP3’s deadly jump shot and a J.J. running around to find space all over the court, and you have an offense few 2K17 players will be able to stop.
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Bill Russell MVP Trophy after beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2. The Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers’ Big 3 are all 2K superstuds. Kevin Love is a unique combination of three-point shooting and dominant rebounding. Kyrie Irving has the best handle in the game and can shoot from anywhere. LeBron James rounds out the trio as 2K’s highest rated player at 96 overall and the world’s best player altogether.
He can shoot, break ankles, is a great passer, and has post moves and power finishing inside for days. He is still the NBA’s most dominant athlete and player, and can take over a 2K game just like he can take over a Finals series.
This is a team that is built for isolation play. Irving and James are both specialists in this area and Love is a nice spot-up option for when the defense starts to collapse.
A lot of 2k players prefer to run iso plays with their best players. If that’s your style, your best bet is the team that features the highest rated player in the game: LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5) talks to Golden State Warriors players Andre Iguodala (center) and guard Stephen Curry (right) at halftime during an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. USA defeated China 107-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
1. The Golden State Warriors
This is a no brainer. Four of the Warriors’ starting five have 2K ratings of 90 or higher.
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Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant are portably the three best shooters in the NBA, and they are on the same team! Regardless of how you feel about the Warriors or Durant’s decision to join them, you have to at least be slightly excited to play as this team in 2k.
Everyone on this roster shoots threes at an efficient rate, so pick the Warriors and just shoot from anywhere. Sure, Curry has great handles, and you could run the offense through him, penetrating to set up open shooters. But why bother?
These are the best contested long ball shooters in the league. I’d make one, maybe two passes at most before taking the first three when one of your wings gets a decent look. You’ll probably make around 41.66 percent of those (the average three-point percentage of Durant, Curry and Thompson), and win most games you play.
So, there you have it. The top 10 teams I’m most excited to play with in NBA 2K17. Let me know in the comments section if there’s a team you are especially excited about playing with that I left of the list. I look forward to seeing you all on the 2K servers.