NBA 2K League Team Franchise Outlooks (Part 1)

I’ve decided not to do draft grades. As I mentioned in my draft preview with DIMER, I think that there’s too much player parity for minute distinctions between picks near each other. There are too many weighted variables that we don’t know enough about that will have a major impact on each team’s performance.

So I decided to do something different. I’ve rated each team on a 1-3 scale (1 being the best, 3 the worst) in a few different metrics: the fabled “marketability,” player performance, and team support. These ratings are meant to indicate tiers, not placement values. A few caveat admissions: not enough is known about all 17 teams to make these ratings perfect. Also, every team is invested in the success of its NBA 2K League team — but with different intensities, as I’ll point out.

As we come to know more, I will update this list throughout the season. But here’s Franchise Outlooks, Part 1, covering the first five teams to pick: MavsGG, CLTX Crossover Gaming, Jazz Gaming, Kings Guard GC, and Pistons Gaming.

MavsGG

Marketability: 1

Player performance: 2

Team support: 1

MavsGG actually has the most international players of any team, by far (4). That will gain them a little extra branding power in other countries, especially in Germany where JLB draws comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki — who, quite conveniently, plays for the Mavs. Another terrific opportunity is having Dimez, the top overall pick and most famous NBA 2K gamer, whom Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has already deemed LeBron-like. He’ll carry the team gameplay-wise, but due to having the tough 1/34 spot in the snake draft, MavsGG isn’t as deep as other teams in the draft. They do have top-notch facilities, however, and Mark Cuban — a branding maven himself — is certainly interested in the success of the team.

CLTX Crossover Gaming

Marketability: 2

Player performance: 1

Team support: 2

CLTX Gaming got three players who played together previously. Half their team! That’s an immediate advantage, and while teams will negate that advantage quickly, the history of these three guys will enable them to respond together, and thus more effectively, against defensive sets that no one has ever seen. I don’t think, however, that CLTX Gaming has much individual player marketing power outside of the NBA 2K community — yet. You know Boston will take quickly to one of their new teams, but we just haven’t seen a huge push yet from the Celtics organization. That being said, the tortoise won out in the end, and he was wearing green.

Jazz Gaming

Marketability: 3

Player performance: 2

Team support: 1

The Jazz nailed their first two picks, but I think the depth is a little lacking. It’s a running theme that the real Jazz can’t attract free agents, and I think a little of that carries over to Jazz Gaming. Thankfully, there’s no free agency to be concerned with, and even more thankfully, there’s a skilled operations team behind Jazz Gaming’s on-court players. The front office is really going to have to push their players. Having two guys at PAX East (who played well) was a good start, but this is a classic case of on-court results needing to be the catalyst for player marketability. If the players can handle that, the savvy front office will do the rest.

Kings Guard GG

Marketability: 1

Player performance: 1

Team support: 1

Yeah, this one’s easy. Kings Guard GC had a great draft and they have probably the best frontcourt to begin with (Mootyy and worthingcolt) — and very few people thought timelycook could drop to the third round. Also, the Kings have freakin’ Shaq as their GM. The players are already marketable as a big 3, and Shaq elevates Kings Guard to another level in terms of non-2K fan accessibility. Furthermore, on top of all this, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is a big tech guy, and the Golden 1 Center already has the first (awesome) esports center in a pro sports arena. Their franchise outlook is very, very bright.

Pistons Gaming

Marketability: 2

Player performance: 3

Team support: 2

PistonsGT were the second-to-last team to select a point guard, doing so in the fifth round. I like their team, and I think it fits into the Motor City, grind-it-out mentality that PistonsGT is going for (their logo certainly fits the bill). I just don’t see any immediate star power and marketability, and I’m not sure how well the Pistons’ six players are going to mesh on the court. They’re going to need a lot of front office support, and while the team has been beneficially active so far in promoting its brand, it’s hard to ascertain the kind of coaching and other support staff that will make or break PistonsGT’s season.

Agree? Disagree? Think I’m a raving lunatic? Let me know in the comments below.