It was one of the strategy questions coming into the NBA 2K players tournament broadcast on ESPN Friday night: When would players use the big-gun teams? The rules of the competition had players designate eight teams they might play as, but they could only use each team once. Teams such as the Bucks and Lakers are high value, but use them early to advance and it becomes hard to win it all.
Derrick Jones Jr. went to the big guns and played the Bucks in the first round against Kevin Durant, who picked the Clippers. Durant has complained in the past on Twitter that the transition defense in NBA 2K20 is terrible, and Jones showed exactly why on his way to an upset win.
The transition defense on 2k is the most frustrating thing in my life at this moment
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 22, 2020
Durant complain enough we’ll grt an actual good version of 2k next year pic.twitter.com/kuIFOS9e3r
— Mickstape (@MickstapeShow) April 4, 2020
Durant’s Clippers could not stop Giannis Antetokounmpo in transition. Although to be fair, the actual NBA has that same problem.
Durant’s other problem may simply have been he’s old at age 31, born in 1988.
@KDTrey5 you know damn well you can’t play these 90s babies in video games. Every kid born after 95 is a top chef
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) April 4, 2020
What may have been most interesting through the night was the side banter between the players. For example, when Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton said he’s been lifting during the NBA’s coronavirus-forced suspension, the Bull’s Zach LaVine said he didn’t need to get any bigger. Durant said it had been a while since he touched a ball and Jones said he was shooting onto his roof to keep his shooting touch as best he can.
On the virtual court, Trae Young used the Bucks to thrash Kings forward Harrison Barnes 101-59, Ayton, using the Rockets, topped LaVine (Heat) 57-41, and Patrick Beverley (Bucks) beat Hassan Whiteside (Lakers) 84-54.
The first round of the tournament continues Sunday on ESPN2.