Joey’s Corner 2k League 1st Advance

After the first advance of the T2E 2K Money League, there are many intriguing storylines unfolding during the young season. The Eastern Conference looks to be fiercely competitive as the 76ers, Wizards, Cavaliers, Pistons, and Celtics all have made compelling contending cases so far.
The Sixers are currently powered by the stingiest defense in the league which allows Ben Simmons to get out on the break creating rim rattling dunks or open transition threes.
Russell Westbrook is back to his old MVP candidate form averaging 34 points a game for the Wizards while legend acquisition Tim Duncan dominates the paint on both ends to give Washington one of the scariest inside-outside combinations since Shaq and Kobe.
The Cavaliers started the season as an interesting young team that could be dangerous in the future but bringing in Penny Hardaway to lead the offense has Believeland in the here-and-now. Penny Hardaway’s MVP candidacy looks formidable as his drive and kick game has the Cavs currently ranked sixth in league in three-point percentage.
Detroit has a similar story to the Cleveland Cavaliers but looked to be in more dire straits than their central division rivals with considerably less young talent. Legend acquisition Oscar Robinson’s all-around game has transformed this group of misfits to a force in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons look to even be scarier as GM Balou Taylor has decided to don a Detroit basketball jersey to help his team.
The Celtics made the hard choice to split their young wing combo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown time on the court together and the decision has paid off as Tatum leads the NBA in both points off the bench and points per 36 minutes played. Taking a scorer out of the starting lineup to pace the second unit has also paid off for Kemba Walker as he currently second in the NBA in assists.
The West looks to be the weaker conference top to bottom but it boasts two truly elite teams in the Pelicans and Jazz as the Suns, Kings and Thunder nip at their heels.
One name matters to the New Orleans Pelicans currently and it’s: ZION. Williamson ranks third in the NBA in points per game and is shooting an amazing 63% from the floor on such a heavy workload. The Pelicans trading Brandon Ingram and Steven Adams for Paul George and Serge Ibaka has greatly reduced Zion’s workload though. PG has fit in seamlessly for the Pels second superstar role bringing lockdown defense and another perimeter scorer to the team.
The Jazz have offensive dynamo Vince Carter ranking sixth in the NBA in scoring but they are currently the most well-balanced team in the league. Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Rudy Gobert is the keystone to one of the league’s best defense and trade acquisition Klay Thompson has been the perfect two-way complement for VC’s high-flying scoring.
Phoenix on paper has the best starting lineup in the league with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Dirk Nowitzki, and DeAndre Ayton all on the floor during the opening tip-off so they should be feared when they all gel together around playoff time.
The Kings defense leaves a lot to be desired but the game is all about buckets and this team can fill it up. Sacramento’s backcourt trio of LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, and Buddy Hield all need to be covered from the parking lot. One acquisition of a lockdown perimeter defender would make this team petrifying in a short playoff series.
Last but not least is the Thunder. Oklahoma City came into the season with the league’s worst roster but some savvy moves have turned this team around. Yao Ming is a giant who shuts down the paint for all who dare venture into the area and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has continued his maturation to a top guard in the league. Along with the names you know, Aleksej Pokusevski is the ultimate wildcard for this young team. Poku could be the European Kevin Durant if developed correctly or could be thrown into the scrap heap of other euro tweeners.
The aforementioned teams are the favorites so far in the season but any team can hit their stride as the year goes on. That surprise could even be you…We still have multiple teams available on the league!!!! Join the discord for more information