Riser New York Knicks

To give this rise some perspective for the uninitiated, the Knicks finished the 2020 NSL season on 23 wins and 59 losses. They are currently almost halfway to their previous season total, sitting at 10 wins and 2 losses, currently. So, what has changed? They made an incredible trade where they acquired win now talent and a mid-first which turned into the top pick, which was then flipped for more win now talent. Out of nowhere, they manifested another young star. Adding Vucevic looks genius, as this is the first 2k where he actually gets it done. They still have pick assets, and the next/final step is adding some quality depth. If they can achieve this, it won�t be regular season wins they will be counting, but playoff wins.

Faller  Chicago Bulls

Theres not a team thats disappointed their fanbase more than the Bulls have thus far. Chicago were world-beaters last season and ran back an even better team than in 2020. Granted, they have had some key personnel out each week, but that dominating unit that we saw all last season hasnt yet put on the legendary red jersey. Is this a hangover from the draft oversights? Three of their four wins came against absolute doldrum teams and the other was against the Los Angeles Clippers. The other seven games, they lost. You wont find them near the top of any of the statistical markers and they are yet to find the spirit and mettle that it takes to be a genuine contender yet. I have faith that they will.

Riser Short, offensive-minded guards

If you actually believed that coming into this season, that six of the top ten ranked players in the NSL were offensive-minded point guards, I would have disagreed with you and maybe bagged you out to someone. Na, not me. Others would, though. Currently, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic sit outside the top ten, showing just how geared this 2k21 engine and settings are towards maximising crafty, offensively-gifted shooters. Stephen Curry averages 41.7 points per game, hits seven threes at a 60% clip. Its silly. And God help you if you have guards who cant shoot.

Faller Tobias Harris

What a stir that this deal caused within the NSL forums, with the almost-All-Star type in Tobias Harris being traded for a reach-around and two club sandwiches. My mistake potential. So, the forests burned around the NSL, with the citizens fuming about the transaction, but all the while, not knowing that Harris prowess would be severely overstated on the Suns. According to laddas, Harris isnt cut out to carry a team and is overawed by the thought of it. The only option now is for Harris to be traded to a contender, where he can resume an elite-supporting role. And here, as they say, lies the rub: he has an awful contract, which a contender likely cant afford the salary, and Harris hasnt played well at all in 2k21. His trade value has never been lower, but it only makes sense for laddas to move him for quality youth or a star-type, which he wont fetch on his own. What a pickle!

Riser  Denver Nuggets

All hail the Sultan of Splash, Stephen Curry! The Denver Nuggets made an awesome trade for Steph, to pair with Klay, and they looked set for a genuine title-assault after a red-shirt 2020 season. However, fate would twist or more accurately snap, and poor Klay sees himself sitting out for another season of basketball. In spite of this, Steph and his rag-tag bunch of players are making the Nuggets look like genuine title contenders. Imagine if Klay was around? The starting unit of Trent Jr., Porter Jr., Turner and Dougie Buckets are just blowing the doors off the game and knocking their opponents out by half time. With sheer three-point proficiency and weight of numbers, 3 has never been more than 2 than it is in the NSL right now.

Faller  Phoenix Suns

Ol Phoenix, what a peculiar run they have had over the past 6-8 months. Here are the different junctions the Suns have found themselves at: lose in second round of playoffs and fail expectations, blow up entire team and rid any capable veteran, have successful draft and free agency and add hype and sleeper status/high expectations, sputter tremendously to start the season and fail expectations. I feel anxious even writing that. Poor Suns fans. On paper, the team should be more competitive. On the court, they are being obliterated on the regular and perceived quality-players like Harris, Ibaka and Brooks have been disappointing and ineffective. Without their firsts, Phoenix have no incentive to lose. Thus far, though, theyve shown little ability to win.

Riser  Jaylen Brown

I love this guy. I would love to have him on my team. Even the biggest fans wouldnt have predicted that Jaylens star would rise so high and so quickly. Coming out of college, he was physical player, with a focus on defense and slashing. He has added such skill and subtlety to his game, with his game intelligence improving as much as any other of his improvements. Rootsey has openly (but not very proactively) been on the lookout for a star, but fact would have it that one has developed right there in Memphis. Browns ratings are epic and he moves up to the elite tier or overall ratings. 28.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists are All-Star numbers.

Faller  Pascal Siakam

There mightnt be a player in the league who has fallen further from expectations and 2k ability then Pascal Siakam. From memory, he has taken a significant 6 rating-points drop, which is about an 8% reduction. On the court, for the underachieving Kings, he has put up 17.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists, on a dismal 35% shooting. The season is too young to not acknowledge that this could be just a form slump. However, if the drop is legitimate, the trade for LeBron James has already not aged well. Breaking news: The Kings have just traded Siakam to the Pacers, giving up on their guy due to his struggles with the 2k21 engine and his possibly inability to be an Alpha.

Indianas problem/solution now.

Riser Orlando Magic

Handsome Gav, and his big handsome head, is being help upright and proud (and about to burst) as his beloved Orlando have shocked the pundits and naysayers, winning 9 games in three weeks and sitting comfortable towards the top of the East Standings. The record is legit, as the Magic are beating good teams. Trae is playing at an All-Star level and is the poster-child for the current engine/settings. Adams and Morris are the perfect enforcer big-men to insulate the young Magic players. All of this without the breakout candidate Markelle Fultz, who will likely rejoin the team next season.

Faller  The doldrum teams

Losing has never been more fashionable in the NSL, with the 2k21 engine change bringing about as big of a chasm between able and not able as we have seen. Looking at the worst ten records/teams in the league, the average wins and losses after Week Three are 1.6 wins and 10 losses, good for a winning percentage of .160. Six teams have won one or less games, with the Pacers four wins bumping up the collective average. One team is losing by an average of 29 points.

Good grief, thats some seriously shitty average basketball.