National Basketball Association

The 4 best teams to play with in NBA 2K17

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The release of NBA 2K17 is almost here. So, with a look at the LA Clippers and a few other franchises, here are the most entertaining teams to use in the new game.

Dec 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; NBA 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

NBA summer is here, which means that nothing is here. The NFL is back, but we’re still left without anyone basketball to watch and even the competition of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics is well in the rear view mirror now. However, there is one bit of promise this week. To brighten up September for basketball fans and carry them into the 2016-17 season, there’s one thing to look forward to: the release of NBA 2K17 on September 16.

It’s almost here. And as I’m left writing about this as one of many topics in an NBA-free summer, with no actual games in sight, 2K17 can’t get here soon enough to provide some added entertainment to pass the time.

So, as we wait, why not have some fun thinking about the game?

The 2K17 download “The Prelude” is here and allows you to begin the collegiate stage of your MyCareer in preparation for the release of the actual game, but let’s think about some other features.

For one, why not MyGm mode?

Given the anticipation that always surrounds MyCareer, I feel as though I may be a little alone in being more excited for the MyGm mode each year. Building a team up from the depths of the league is always a fun challenge.

Anyway, I digress. But this does bring us to the team aspect of 2K17, which is something we’re going to look into now. Whether you want an entertaining team for MyGm mode or you’re simply wondering what teams to mess around with in exhibition games or online, here are my choices and a few suggestions (even if your own team takes preference, of course).

Minnesota Timberwolves

What’s not to like about the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine are growing young talent and exceptional leapers, perfect for actual highlight reels and NBA 2K17. Breaking out in transition or tearing past an opponent using a crisp spin move from Wiggins will deliver plenty of dynamic plays.

Playing fast in 2K is always a good way to enjoy the game. Dumping the ball in the post is never the best way to get buckets. Instead, LaVine to Wiggins (or vice versa) alley-oops will be far more entertaining, and frustrating for opponents to try and stop. Both players having high tendencies in the game to go for flashy dunks helps, too.

Then there’s Karl-Anthony Towns, one of the best elements of the NBA’s future as a player far beyond his years. He had an exceptional season in 2015-16 as Rookie of the Year, averaging 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the floor. Deservedly so, Towns has broken out with an 88 overall rating in 2K17 to make him one of the top 20 players in the game.

From hitting the occasional three, running the floor, burning opponents with his growing offensive repertoire to swatting players at the rim, 2K17 Towns will be nothing but fun to use.

And these aren’t the only pieces to make the Timberwolves a good go-to team. They drafted the athletic, playmaking point guard Kris Dunn with the 5th overall pick this year, and added several pieces in free agency to strengthen the team’s depth such as Brandon Rush, Jordan Hill and LA Clippers alum Cole Aldrich.

Essentially, the Timberwolves have more entertainment value and more talent now. Make them a go-to option to play with in 2K17 and watch on League Pass next season.

Dec 12, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dunks during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers had to make an appearance. Not for the sake of courtesy to fans reading this site, but for the simple fact that the Lob City Clippers are a great team for 2K.

In fact, the Clippers weren’t bad at all with the acquisitions they made last summer. Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson are both athletic playmakers and capable of providing some lineup versatility. That’s ideally what Doc wanted from them in reality. But, of course, that didn’t quite work out, leading to both players being off the team before the end of the season. Even Paul Pierce could hit threes in the virtual world of 2K, and look how that turned out with his career-low 36.3 percent shooting last season.

However, even though the bench may not be the best part of the Clippers, they still possess one of the most entertaining and talented starting lineups for 2K competition.

Chris Paul is the best floor general in the world, so even a rookie 2K player should be able to limit their turnovers and rack up some double-double performances with him. Then there’s the highlight of the Clippers’ 2K entertainment value: the duo of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Whether it’s running pick-and-rolls from Griffin to Jordan or simply living up to the virtual Lob City name by letting them destroy opponents with alley-oop jams in transition, they have to be the most entertaining big man duo to use in the game. Griffin can do so much with the ball in his hands as a passer or scorer if you want to just plenty of isolation plays, Jordan is an emphatic shot blocker, and both can finish with serious authority.

Throw some heat check shooters into the mix such as J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford (maybe even new acquisition Marreese “Mo Buckets” Speights), and the LA Clippers have the roster to be an ideal choice in NBA 2K17.

Cleveland Cavaliers

When trying out all the different teams in NBA 2K16 a year ago, it struck me how ridiculously easy it was to score with Kevin Love. His release is easy to master, he moves well off the ball, and opponents were surprisingly doubtful of his three-point ability. If defenders sag off for a second, his mid-range stroke and three-point shot would punish defenders with ease. On top of that, he’s a double-double machine (albeit more so before coming to Cleveland), and big men who can first and foremost dominate the boards are always favorable in 2K for me.

Love isn’t the reason the Cavs will be one of the most enjoyable teams to play 2K17 with, though. There are two more, far bigger reasons: Kyrie Irving, coming off the best playoff run and summer of his life, and LeBron James, coming off one of the greatest (if not the greatest) playoff performances in history by overcoming a 3-1 Finals deficit against the first ever 73-9 team.

For those who just want to iso their opponents and place their emphasis on offense over defense, there aren’t many better players to use than Kyrie. As new editions of 2K continue to tweak how players can handle the ball and how freely your can control their ball handling and drives to the rim, Kyrie becomes even more fun and deadly to use.

On top of that, he has all the acrobatic medals in the game to finish wild layups inside, and great ability to shoot off the dribble.

Remember that pull-up three over Stephen Curry to help seal a championship in Game 7? Of course you do.

Who wouldn’t enjoy recreating that moment?

Then there’s LeBron himself. His all-around dominance and overpowering combination of speed and strength will translate perfectly into NBA 2K17 as it always has in the game. Taking down a defensive rebound and tearing away on a one-man fastbreak is too easy, with LeBron’s finishing ability around the rim making it incredibly difficult for opponents to stop him, even when he’s battling through traffic.

He has too many strengths to talk about, from his passing to lock down defensive ability as well, and that’s why he’s the best player in the game with a 96 overall rating.

The Cavs’ Big 3, accompanied by shooters such as Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson, heat check J.R. Smith (if he re-signs, of course), and dynamic rookie point guard Kay Felder give Cleveland a talented and entertaining team from a stylistic standpoint.

Now, onto the team that’s simply the best in the game (and the world) by far. They can’t be ignored.

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

Golden State Warriors

What more is there to say about the Warriors? From the moment Kevin Durant‘s article at The Players’ Tribune went live to announce his free agency decision, players and fans alike were quick to tweet out how overpowered the Warriors will be.

Not just in the league itself, but in NBA 2K17 as an absurdly good team with elite shooting overflowing from the starting lineup.

The Warriors were already the clear-cut best shooting team last season. In 2K, running around with Stephen Curry looking for wild off-dribble shots and having Klay Thompson to kick the ball to as a secondary option was far too easy at times.

And coming off a season in which he shattered his own three-point record and made 402 threes at a 45.4 percent rate, averaging 30.1 points per game to go with a 31.5 PER, Curry has almost broken the shooting ratings in 2K17. He’s just too good.