NBA SIMS LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK WATCH - Week 1
| PLAYER | TEAM | WHY | STATS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | PER 31.23 |  Eastern 2-2 | Kat looked at his 2k best in the opening round, tearing apart the opposing defences with his p and r buddy Jalen Brunson. It didn’t matter where he was pulling up from, it felt his shot was falling and his 66% FG% and insane 61% 3pt% backed up the eye test. Dropping 36 points with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and over a block is a beastly as a big man can be in a week of 2k action. The only blemish on the stat sheet was a final record of 2-2 at week’s end. | 35.8 PTS 10.0 REB 3.0 AST 0.8 STL 1.3 BLK |
 | PER 31.21 |  Eastern 2-2 | We’ve all heard his name since he arrived in Miami and with his recent form in Eurobasket, PistolPK has been bullish on his star acquisition. This week we saw what the Miami GM was talking about as Markkanen exploded onto the scene in W1. 32 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and a steal is absolute elite numbers and good enough for his first POTW in recent memory. A 2-2 record might sway voters but he will definitely be in the mix. | 32.0 PTS 9.5 REB 4.0 AST 1.0 STL 1.3 BLK |
 | PER 26.49 |  Eastern 4-0 | A familiar face on the POTW, SGA makes his first appearance for the new season. Though his individual numbers weren’t as humongous as what we came to expect last year, the 30+ points on full stats across 4 wins makes his case for him. The bucks steamrolled everything in their path, starting the season perfectly, SGA was once again the focal point averaging 32 points, 2 threes with 7 assists. Sharing the rock with Brandon Ingram might lower the overall numbers but his impact is undisputed. SGA is chasing titles this season, not individual accolades. | 31.8 PTS 2.0 REB 7.0 AST 1.0 STL 0.3 BLK |
 | PER 26.17 |  Eastern 4-0 | Shams has been vocal about the fit of his stats this year and there’s no doubt Randle is the guy he’s most excited/ pleasantly surprised about. The Cavs were one of four undefeated teams in W1, this will be big for the voters, no doubt. His averages of nearly a triple double- 30 points, 10 rebounds, nearly 9 assists is as well rounded as you’ll see and that system in Cleveland looks built for multiple stats to shine. It’s no wonder Shams is pumped. | 29.3 PTS 10.0 REB 8.8 AST 1.0 STL 0.5 BLK |
 | PER 38.28 |  Eastern 4-0 | The Knicks are back and KD looks a genuine MVP contender in week 1 as his boys roll through an undefeated week 4-0! In just 34mins per game, this superstar of the game averaged 39 points as the focal point of the Knicks’ offence. Shooting above 60% from the field and 50% from three, if the ball left his hands opponents were expecting points. Combine this with nearly 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks and it’s pretty hard to imagine another rival for the player of the week in the Eastern Conference. What a star. | 39.0 PTS 9.5 REB 6.8 AST 1.5 STL 1.5 BLK |
 | PER 27.63 |  Western 2-2 | MPJ represents the Nuggets in the POTW award this week and 34 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.3 steals are juicy numbers from a guy who is built for 2k. In a league with minimal impact players at the SF, MPJ could be in the mix for the all star vote if he can stay healthy and killing it in NBA BKN. The emerging Nuggets will be in the mix again this season and Porter Jr will be amongst the votes this week. | 34.0 PTS 9.8 REB 4.8 AST 1.3 STL 0.8 BLK |
 | PER 33.17 |  Western 3-1 | It’s refreshing to see the Joker right up there with the NSL elite and winning like he does in the NBA. His 2k impact has been disappointing in previous engines but this year it seems he will be MVP calibre… FINALLY! In a productive 3-1 week, Jokic shone 30 points, 14.5 rebounds and 9 assists- a near triple double average. If Jokic keeps his form up, he will be in the MVP hunt like his NBA counterpart and there’s no doubt he and Maxey will run wild out West! | 29.3 PTS 14.5 REB 9.0 AST 2.5 STL 1.8 BLK |
 | PER 45.43 |  Western 3-1 | Wemby has arrived in LA and the reception has been booming! He burst onto the scene in game 1 with a near 40 point triple double in a losing effort vs the underdog Mavs. But since then he and the lakers haven’t looked backed, going 3-0 to close out the week in style. Wemby’s averaged 48 points, 17 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.8 blocks. Holy shit. These are MVP numbers, the league is officially on notice! | 48.3 PTS 17.5 REB 5.5 AST 1.5 STL 1.8 BLK |
 | PER 26.40 |  Western 3-1 | Surprisingly Ayton is the top rated OKC star this week and has earned a sensational POTW nomination as his team, under new gm Cake Bandito, went 3-1. Great start. Ayton averaged 23 points, 15 boards, 3 assists, 2.3 steals and 2 blocks which are DPOY averages! If he can continue to crush it, the Thunder have a chance to win it all out West! | 23.3 PTS 15.8 REB 3.3 AST 2.3 STL 2.0 BLK |
 | PER 27.32 | Western 3-1 | Another Rocket joins the POTW race and Vitty is elated! Tyrese Maxey crushed the pick and roll with his superstar running mate Nikola Jokic as they cruised to a 3-1 start. 34 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 1.5 blocks (wow) and 1.3 steals are juicy numbers from your leading guard. Vitty deservedly has two shots at the award this week and his team looks supercharged for a massive season even with Haliburton sidelined. | 34.8 PTS 3.8 REB 7.3 AST 1.3 STL 1.5 BLK |