NBA 2K is one of the most popular game series out there, with both basketball fans and gamers in general spending hours enjoying it. It allows players to control their favourite NBA teams and compete with players online or with the CPU. While a lot of fans choose their favourite team and stick with them no matter what, neutral fans and those solely interested in winning usually prefer to use the best possible teams. Like previous editions, NBA 2K22 has been praised by critics for its realism, with team ratings reflective of their standing in real life. For example, the Brooklyn Nets are one of the favourites for this year’s title according to NBA championship odds provided by OddsChecker, and this is reflected in their overall team rating of 84 on the game. Fellow favourites like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers are also among the best teams in the game thanks to their real-life successes. Here’s why.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets started this season with one of the league’s strongest rosters, including a starting five that could include huge stars like Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Blake Griffin. The team’s overall rating, which is based on the 8 best players, is 84, with Durant (96), Harden (94) and Irving (91) the highest rated players. However, Harden’s recent trade to Philadelphia in exchange for Ben Simmons does weaken the team slightly in the game, due to the fact that Simmons is only rated at 84. The three-time NBA All Star had an 87 rating in the previous three editions of the game and would have been expected to have moved into the 90s by now. However, the fact that he hasn’t played since the end of last season because of a disagreement with his former team has worked against him. Despite this, they will still be a fun team with Simmons – just don’t shoot three throws with him!
Los Angeles Lakers
Although the Lakers haven’t quite hit the heights expected of them at the start of the season, no one can deny that their roster is one of the league’s most impressive, at least on paper. This is reflected in their 2K22 overall rating of 83, which is thanks to highly rated players like LeBron James (96), Anthony Davis (93) and Russell Westbrook (86). They are perfect for players who enjoy fancy dime passes and explosive dunks with all three of these men, as well as Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony, capable of producing breathtaking moments in the game. The Lakers are the league’s oldest team which means they’re one of the slowest in the game, making them particularly susceptible to fast breaks from the opposition.
Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 NBA Champions the Milwaukee Bucks have one of the games most nicely balanced squads. The roster features players like Giannis Antetokounmpo (96), Khris Middleton (88) and Jrue Holiday (85), helping the Bucks to a team rating of 83. Antetokounmpo alone makes them a great team to use with his athleticism making him a useful player at both ends of the court, just like in real life. Despite losing P.J Tucker to Miami Heat in the off season, the Bucks’ star players are complemented by great rotation options like Donte DiVincenzo (79) and Brook Lopez (79), so there is plenty of talent for players to enjoy.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns shocked everyone last year by reaching the NBA finals despite being incredibly unpopular at the start of the season. They did so thanks to their talented players, many of whom improved greatly throughout. This meant that their ratings improved greatly between the 2021 and 2022 editions of the game with the highest rated players being Chris Paul (90), Devin Booker (90) and Deandre Ayton (86). They have a good mix of age and experience which means players can play with different tactics and get results.
