Interesting season to say the least. Went from being extremely active to start the season to basically dead… to back to living again. Weird seeing the activity at the beginning of 2k17 dying down so quickly as people became disenchanted with not only Online MyLeague, but also the game itself. A lot of core guys have been lost and some have been inactive. Sad to see, but it’s the reality of life and that 2K will not always be one’s priority. Nonetheless, we push forward to this season’s playoffs and then the subsequent redraft for next season with a surplus of new guys.​

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PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

WEST

(1)   Blazers (SuperMario) V. (8) Clippers (Doomed)

This should be interesting match-up as SuperMario has dominated the entire league this year, staying atop of the power rankings essentially all season, but Doomed is a new guy with promise in this league. Not to mention the Clippers extraordinary roster. Should be a close matchup, but give me the seasoned veteran – Blazers 3-0.

 

(2)   Kings (Ematt) V. (7) Nuggets (Aussieadz)

Both guys have been relatively inactive in recent days of the season, but were some of the most active at the beginning. If this matchup occurred a few months ago, I would much more interested, but I’m just not sure how rust will affect them. Give me the Kings 3-1, behind the God that Kawhi Leonard is.

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(3)   Lakers (KobeRocks) V. (6) Twolves (Braxy)  

I would call this matchup the most interesting first round one that we have across the board. From personal experience, I have gone back and forth with both of them, so I know their series will be the same. I will say, it seems that Braxy is the more consistent player, in terms of playstyle and personnel, but KobeRocks has that X-Factor that could take him to the Ship. Lakers 3-2, but this one could go either way. Expect a 5 game series

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(4)   Suns (Ocho) V. (5) Warriors (Meaks)

Of course, these two are playing each other again. Should be a typical matchup, but quite honestly, I, Ocho, have not been playing as well as I should be, and some of that may be due to my personnel. Meaks fast paced, guard friendly offense should be able to take advantage of Ocho, especially with the fact that Ocho doesn’t have a paint presence to take advantage of the atrocious big men of the Warriors. 3-1 Warriors.

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(1)  Blazers (SuperMario) V. (5) Warriors (Meaks)

This series will be something, may be a historic series for MLBA. Two admins, one who has dominated the whole season – SuperMario, and one who struggled at the beginning, but is finally getting going – Meaks. The Blazers have BG and Brook Lopez… two dominating big men, so unless Meaks can push the pace and prevent the big men mismatches from being a problem, I think SuperMario will take this one. However, Hayward v. Marcus Morris is also a mismatch, which Meaks will surely take advantage of. Blazers 3-2, but could go either way depending how these matchups are utilized on both sides.

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(2) Kings (Ematt) V. (3) Lakers (KobeRocks)

Rematch of last season’s first round where KobeRocks took it 3-2. There’s some bad blood between these two from that matchup, but that will only fuel this one! Ingram V. Kawhi will be extremely interesting. Like I said before, if everything clicks, KobeRocks will be in the finals, and possibly holding up the trophy, but based on his personnel, I’m not sure if he can get this done. Deandre Jordan is going to have to take over the paint for the Lakers to win. Ultimately, I’ll take the Kings 3-2.

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(1)   Blazers (SuperMario) V. (2) Kings (Ematt)

The conundrum that has followed for the whole playoffs and everyone that Ematt will play, is who will guard Kawhi? The Blazers do not have a guy that can stop him… Marcus Morris will get straight toasted all series long. However, the big men differential follows suit to the Blazers V. Warriors matchup, so if SuperMario moves Burks to guard Kawhi and plays efficient basketball, I think this series ends up the same way as the one vs. Meaks. 3-2 Blazers… Too good of a season for SuperMario to not make the finals, but you never know with Ematt, plus when they met during the regular season, Kings took the dub 51-45.

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EAST

(1)   Bucks (DrummondFan) V. (8) Heat (Dalton)

Lowkey will be a good 1 v. 8 matchup. However, Dalton has been extremely inactive this season with being busy and such, so I don’t think he can keep up with 2k god Drummondfan. At full strength and in rhythm, Dalton would make this a tough 3-1 series, but right now, I see it going 3-0 Bucks, with a close game or two.

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(2)   Hawks (X2) V. (7) Pistons (Jojoloco)

Both of these guys haven’t been able to get a lot of games in recently because they got a lot over with at the beginning of the season. Expect some rust in this one, but Hawks is one of the most talented 2k players in the league, so I’ll take them, led by Dame and Gobert. However, Pistons have a great roster with Klay/LMA/Rose, but personnel can only get you so far. Hawks 3-1.

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(3)   Bulls (Radiggy) V. (6) 76ers (Ras)

Hold the phone… Ras in the playoffs??? Based on the inactivity and struggles of the East, he indeed is, and he has gotten better quite honestly, so I expect this to be an impressive 3 V. 6 matchup. Both of these teams are big men centric, Boogie vs. Draymond and Pau. I think if Ras can play good defense and take smart shots he could steal this one 3-2, but if not, Radiggy and his Bulls, that are as consistent as can be will take advantage. I say Bulls 3-2, but could go either way.

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(4)   Wizards (Cado) V. (5) Raptors (Duya)

This one will be interesting. Cado is a new guy who has honestly been impressive in his short time in the league, but Duya is really up and coming with a few trademark wins (6 game W streak) in the last week or so. Derozan and AD are basically unguardable together, but if they end up getting behind, I don’t see the outside shooting ability to stay in it. Plus the Wiz have LBJ, which will be an issue… I’ll take the Raptors 3-2, but I’m honestly not sure what to expect.

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(1)   Bucks (Drummondfan) V. (5) Raptors (Duya)

Bledsoe/Bosh V. Derozan/AD? Sign me up. With two close games during the regular season (53-52 Bucks, and 52-47 Raptors), expect a closer series than expected based on their records. This is probably the worst second round matchup for the Bucks because defense will be crucial in this one, as Duya can get on a run quickly. However, Drummond’s experience in close games helps me believe he’ll put it out in a tight 3-1 series. Bold prediction: 2 OT games, both won by Drummond. Duya is going to feel as if this one slipped through his fingers!

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(2)   Hawks (X2) V. (3) Bulls (Radiggy)

Two fundamental players going at it in the Conf. Semis. Going to be a tight matchup, but I’m not sure how Dame will be stopped in this one. Expect these to be low scoring games, with all of them being under 45 points. The only way I see Radiggy winning is if it turns into a scrappy series with a lot of turnovers and missed opportunities. Hawks 3-1… Unless the game flow goes Radiggy’s way. Bold Prediction: Radiggy wins any game that both team scores under 35… that will be the magic number!

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(1)   Bucks (DrummondFan) V. (2) Hawks (X2)

Man… this is a tough one to call. Both guys had fantastic records at 34-7 and 32-9 respectively. However, it’s hard to judge as X2 took over the team after both of the Bucks games had been played. Without any prior knowledge of how these two will match-up, it’s going to come down to who dictates the game. If it becomes a shootout with minimal defense, Drummond will easily take control, but if it becomes a slower paced battle, the Hawks with the number 1 ORTG in the league should win. It’s going to be a tight one… I say the first one to steal a game on the other’s home court will win, which I believe will be the Hawks in Game 1, and the follow suit in Game 5. Hawks 3-2, even though it’s hard to pick against Drummond.

 

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FINALS

1)   Blazers (SuperMario) V. (2) Hawks (X2)

This will be a great finals series. They did not play in the regular season, so once again it’s hard to make an assessment, but both of these guys are fundamental players that know the game of 2k inside and out. Hopefully one of them streams it, so the rest of the league can witness this fantastic series. Based on the stat categories, Hawks have the advantage essentially across the board, but in the finals, all of that goes out the window and gives way to who wants it more. Playing so many games so quickly may bite X2 in the ass, as the residual rust may kick in here. BG/DLoading Vs. Ryan Anderson/Dame will be the two key matchups to look for. Whichever one takes precedence will be the decider of the series. I will go as far to say that in each game, whoever scores more: Dame or BG will decide the winner. In a circumstance like this, I have to take the better roster with one of the best 2k PGs… Hawks 3-2, welcoming X2 to the Hall of Champions!

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PLAYOFF RECAP

Well… another playoff has come to an end. Season 3 was an odd one, with waves of inactivity and rushes of newbies, finalized with an understanding of the failure of 58 game seasons. Ultimately, we have trimmed down the members and have a solid, smaller group. Looking at my playoff predictions, they were pretty darn accurate! Only a few unexpected winners, but most importantly the winner of the whole thing… SuperMarioGear, owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, wins the Ship over X2 of the Atlanta Hawks. 3-2 was the series score, but it wasn’t a tight series game by game, as one would expect. Game 1 was a blowout for the Blazers, and in Game 2, X2 returned the favor. In my predictions, I thought Dame would be too much for the Blazers, but rather it was BG on the other side that made all the difference.

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At the end of the day, I believe that the two best teams ended up playing in the finals, and in the process, we found out who the new top dawg in town is… Congrats to SuperMarioGear, and welcome to the Hall of Champions!

The next question is… will he repeat next season???