Eight Stories from NBA 2K18 Season Simulation
NBA 2K
Eight Stories from NBA 2K18 Season Simulation
After months of major trades and free agent deals, the time is almost here. There’s only a few days until the 2017-2018 NBA season tips off!
We ran a MyLEAGUE season simulation in NBA 2K18 to answer the big question: did teams do enough? Will a team’s realignment of superstars give them the chance to take down the Golden State Warriors? Which team(s) in the East benefited from offseason moves the most? How are other teams’ development and rebuilding looking?
We have all this and season award predictions right here for you!
OKC’s Big Three Not Big Enough
Westbrook, Melo, and PG13 continued to put up great numbers, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to propel the Oklahoma City Thunder into the top of the Western Conference. Even with Westbrook winning MVP again (26.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 8.8 assists), OKC’s lack of depth was unable to support the ball-dominant leaders.
The team finished with a 52-30 record and was later eliminated in the Conference Semis. 
Houston, We Don’t Have a Problem
Chris Paul used his ability to distribute – 11.3 assists per game with 12.5 points and 3.7 rebounds – to lead the Houston Rockets to a 58-24 record. 
Not only did the team place second in the Western Conference, but Ryan Anderson was also awarded the Most Improved Player Award. The duo led the Rockets in eliminating OKC, but the team later lost to Golden State in the Conference Finals. 
Lotto Winners
The NBA recently voted on reforming the draft lottery starting in 2019. This is the last season teams can race for the best odds at getting a top draft pick. Teams like the Knicks and Bulls are in need of young talent during their rebuilding. So which teams took the crown of Winner of the Losers?
Surprisingly, the Miami Heat (22-60) and Indiana Pacers (27-55) were the “winners” here, with the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings (both 30-52) rounding out the bottom four. 
All four teams certainly benefit from top picks, and the Kings get to bring in another top talent to play alongside last year’s 5th overall pick De’Aaron Fox.
The Rookie of the Year Goes to…
All eyes will be on Fox and Los Angeles Lakers rookie sensation Lonzo Ball as they clash four times this season. In our sim, Ball won the battle between the two every time they met head-to-head. Ball’s averages in games against Fox were near identical to his season stats: 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists.
However, the Rookie of the Year award went to the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons. After missing the 2016-2017 season, he averaged 16.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. 
Having been with an NBA team for a year may have prepared him for the grind of the season and helped him develop quickly.
And speaking of the 76ers:
The Process Was Worth the Wait
Joel Embiid came back healthy and stronger than ever. In 27 minutes per game, he was able to produce 17.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks.
Markelle Fultz also came out with a strong rookie season stat line of 14.4/4.7/5.4. The 76ers finished with a 45-37 record, their best since the 2002-2003 season. 
Though the team wasn’t strong enough to get past the first round of the playoffs, the simulation shows there’s a bright future for the team.
Leaders of the East
One of the biggest questions coming into the 2017-18 season is “which team will take the East?” Our sim showed the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers had a close race for the top seed all season – Cleveland finished first with 53 wins, Boston second with 47. Ultimately the trade for Kyrie Irving and signing of Gordon Hayward paid off for the Celtics. 
Statistically a better shooting team than the Cavs – 56% to 47% on field goals, 39% to 33% on threes, 82% to 74% on free-throws – and leading in every category except rebounds and blocks, the Celtics won the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games.
Durant Dethrones LeBron as King
It’s been an on-going discussion as to who is better between the two superstar forwards. This season may finally be when Kevin Durant takes over the league.
Durant put up better season stats than LeBron in points, rebounds, steals and blocks. Oh, and he won Finals MVP again.
And with that, you may have guessed it…
This is Still the Dubs’ Nation
Even with all the major moves in the NBA offseason, the Warriors won the NBA Championship. After another five-game series against the Boston Celtics in the finals, Golden State remained the top team in our simulation. 
The Celtics won game four by two points behind a Kyrie Irving triple-double. But with an overwhelmingly talented core of players, the Dubs won every other game in the series by an average of 12 points. 
Steve Kerr also won Coach of the Year.
Go ahead and run your own MyLEAGUE sims in NBA 2K18 and try it for yourselves. Are you getting similar results? Tell us what your sims turn up!
Cony Villanueva
What about them VC though...
Corey Rutter
After year one Durant left okc and went to phoenix and the warriors didn't win since. It was always weird teams. Like the one seeds never went to the finals it was always 4-8 after season one
Nick Ferris
Detroit went to the finals in my first season. Probably cause all the top tier teams would shoot 'good, wide open' shots and be sending up nothing but bricks, as is the way in 18.
SCOODA
Im hearing that NBA Live 18 is better than 2K18......what are yall thoughts
Ramone Hamilton
Warriors blew a lead in my Western conference finals with No Chris Paul and an injured James harden thanks 2k 😂😂😂😂
Matt McGowan
@[583700884:2048:Nik Neves] 2ks sim has celtics come in 2nd in east but win eastern conference finals, have them go to finals win a game but GS ultimatley wins
Zak Mabunay
It is 2k is hard to play because of lags and keep missing wide open shots and easy layups
Benny M Jefferson
It really is,
Gregory Myob
When will the injures be added to the official roster?
Kellz LaPlante
It is.
Tommy Hamill
How much VC did it cost to simulate an entire season?
Randy White
Game is straight garbage
Lonnie Oceans
I remember it was like that in 2k14 alot. I think the Bulls went to the finals that year and Rose was injured the whole year in real life lol
Lonnie Oceans
Live needs way better animations but the core of the game is much smoother and progression feels gradual and natural
John Aaron Gicana
It clearly states that NBA 2k is really a DUmBS fan.😤
Visal Sok
2K you guys should fix the Russell Westbrook character model in 2k18. He looks no where like his real life counter part lol
Amy Kleemann
Haha the injuries are shocking in my career! How the hell does curry thompson and durant get injured? All in the 1 game? Then i play against the cavs and rose and love get injured? I play clippers jordan and griffin get injured? This game is whacked
Ryan Crawford
Live is really good this year. The one mode is clean. I still prefer 2k. Live definitely stepped up this year.
Svajūnas Tamašauskas
Answer support me for vc!!!
Patrick Hanafin
@[1642149016:2048:Jason Drab]
Waverly Palmer
FIX REGION LOCK IN PRO AM!!!
Waverly Palmer
FIX REGION LOCK IN PRO AM!!!
Waverly Palmer
FIX REGION LOCK IN PRO AM!!!
Shaquille Mccord
Live is much better
Darryl Hayne
Had to pay VC to play in the playoffs
Aree ken'Drell Washington
I ran a couple of simulations an LeBron and KD always went to the Suns. Cousins Lakers. And Paul George to Brooklyn.
Corey Rutter
I always try and relocate a team and trade for cousins to use as a centerpiece to get one of the big 3 draft picks they have after the first season. I know the cavs roster ironically stayed In tact until like 2022
Tre Morris
Brandon Ingram is a 3 Time champion 2× finals mvp and the face of the league in his 8th year in my MyLeague
Haroldo Coutinho
Where's the update? Knicks and celtics floor, update uniform's sponsor
Tre Morris
I'm hearing you smoking crack if that's even a question😂😂😂 Live 18 is the worst basketball game ever made
Tommy Hamill
Thought I was the only one.....like 10 games into the season my entire starting lineup got injured missing significant time. Talking KAT, Wiggins, Jimmy Butler AND Taj Gibson. Selling the game so I don't get to see them come back but I was dumbfounded that this all happened in the same game.
Ralph Salvador
The heat last place? Crazy
Aree ken'Drell Washington
I always move the magic somewhere west and put the pelicans in the East.
Corey Rutter
I usually do the nets because they don't really need 2 teams in NY. I usually move to Seattle and remake the sonics
Cj Padilla
Android platform
Jose Eduardo Burgos
Ah, same crap happened to me with the Pistons in MyGM. Harris got hurt for 6 weeks, the game after that Drummond for 4 weeks and the game after that Bradley got hurt for 2 weeks. I hate every game I play until one of them comes back lol.
Scott Freeman
Reggie Doty
Uniform sponsers are there
Rick Kidder
Lakers and OKC were winning titles, like 3-5 years in Lonzo won like 3 straight MVPs. Curry retired having the most 3 pointers ever, LBJ was #2 in pretty much everything, Lonzo was like top 5 in assists.. Seemed possibly legit.
Vitor Dos Anjos
Man Android Version Please
Jacob Boden
I simmed a league and the warriors and cavs lost in the first round. Dont trust 2k sims lol
Toni Comer
Legit in a few years if you think about it.
Zikk Del Rosario
MyLeague is broken.
Colin McJunkin
You have to spend VC to sim games in 2k now? Is this for the GM mode or the My player?
Tommy Hamill
Lol, not sure if you're being serious or not. I was just pointing some fun at the fact that this year's version of the game is a blatant money grab over previous years.
Colin McJunkin
I was, I haven't looked at 2k18 at all yet. I saw your comment as I was scrolling, and my jaw hit the floor. I think it speaks to 2K that I wasn't able to tell that it was sarcastic 😂😂😂
Colin McJunkin
But thanks!
Tommy Hamill
Lol, I'd skip out on it, especially if you're a mycareer player, reviews everywhere can pretty much express reasons as to why.
Aaron Francis
@[787473354:2048:Dane Watkins]
Trevor Robar
@[504217227:2048:Chris Gregory] @[649690110:2048:Jake Babin]
Dane Watkins
They really nailed this... right up until they mistyped Cavs in 4 about the East finals. 😂😂
Eddy Yu
If CP3 averages 12.5 ppg, then Houston has a huuuuuuge problem. Lmao
Brett Moore
@[626995886:2048:Richard Knight]
Richard Knight
I’d be ok with a majority of these
Daniel JR Garcia
He looks ok but last year's was better. One of the Few that don't look like the real deal.
Daniel JR Garcia
Yup
Herberght Colon Solivan
Honest reviews, that haven't been bought out by 2k. Like pissed off customers for example, we can tell you why you should skip it, lol...
Idris Burch
EA owns the rights to the MSG and TD Garden name so no it's not likely they change the court... That's why you rebrand if you want that stuff
Idris Burch
Likely tonight after they release opening night rosters
Greg Lightbody
@[100004492681122:2048:Brad Lee]
Nathaniel Gordon
Shots don’t drop in 2k18. I have been playing since 2k10 and this is the first game where i’m saying this, it’s to hard, shots don’t drop. That’s on pro. I have had this game for 3 weeks and literally have not got into it once. Every game reaks of frustration. If I keep playing i’ll end up getting evicted from noise complaints. It’s bad to the point where I have atleast 20 vids of me missing open layups on a fast break.
Nathaniel Gordon
Atleast shots drop in live
Delienne Moncrieft
Calvin Morris Bey

#2K17 was the [WOR$T] 🏀 🎮 ever made!
Delienne Moncrieft
#NbaLive18~
Zachariah Laform
Sounds like you need more practice
Jiro Abe
what's up with Durant and Phoenix? even in 2k17 both my Glass cleaner and shot creator career after a year durant went also to phoenix. :D
Ian Christopher
Worst 2k they made. Really ridiculous, and you right I also have been playing since they first started. This basketball video game is a terrible experience.
Egoh Sum
OKC won the chip in the 17-18 season, warriors won before, cavs won before, the jazz won before, but the celtics never EVER went to the Finals on 2k in my seasons
Kevon Chandler
I've been waiting to get a copy because I'm tired of being ripped off. I was waiting until its been out for 30 days while watching the game play and reviews before I spent $100 for pure disappointment. Too many bad reviews sounds like I'm keeping live 18. Thanks y'all.
Da'Neil Pitts
Everytime
Djwhtii Amn
Cappela!!!!
Andrew Teves
It is bad. I havent even played it in 2 weeks. Its ok. Cause now it will last me another 2 years. Pathetic
Andrew Teves
Yea mycareer was so fcking bad this year. So dissapointed. Done with it already. My league etc is great tho
Matt Williams
Live isn't better than 2K the people that complain suck that simple
Mordecai Joyonta Howard
😂😂😂
Ryan Mccoy
2k has all the bells and whistles but live game play is better
Llito Djb
GO VOTE PEOPLE STILL BETTER SHIRTS COMING AS SOON AS THIS ONES GO FOR SALE!!!! 🏀⛹🏽🏀⛹🏽#NBA2K18
Daniel James
Live is still behind a bit...however EA isn't as greedy as 2K and they actually listen to their community in regards to fine tuning the game. The more I play Live the more I enjoy it...on the other hand I see the 2K community getting more and more upset
Marcus Aurelius
Here it is:

NBA Live: Awful game with great heart in its game modes.

NBA 2K: Plays well, but they would sell their own grandma to make some VC, thus ruining the experience with their greediness.
Riley Teixeira
Durant left OKC? Odd.. because he currently plays for GS
Kristian Girdner
He look like a alien or somethin 😂
Joel Smith
Yeah this seems like a personal problem. I have had no such issues.
Bryan Aalberg
Completely agree. I've stopped playing. Wish I could get my money back. And to those who say practice more, get a life. Games are for fun, shouldn't have to master the timing of letting go of a button to robot-level microseconds. The game needs to be fixed and anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves.
Terell Spencer
If your shots don’t ever go in then you just can’t shoot 😂😂 stop cryin and go practice
Lee Reynolds
I bet the Bulls finished in the playoffs too. smh this game.