To start the new NBA season, 2K has simulated the game time based on NBA 2K24. According to it, the Denver Nuggets will not defend their title. But in terms of predictions, the publisher has had several lulls recently.
The NBA started its new season on Tuesday night. The reigning champion Denver Nuggets celebrated a perfect start. The team around Nikola Jokic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers with 119:107. The beginning of a successful title defense?
If NBA 2K24 is anything to go by, there’s another team that will lift the trophy to the sky. On the basis of the new offshoot of the basketball simulation, the “final results of the upcoming season have been simulated”, the publisher’s averages state. Accordingly, the title goes to the Boston Celtics, who beat the Golden State Warriors in the finals in the simulation. After how many games, however, 2K did not disclose.
No surprise pick – Wembanyama gets individual award
It would be the 18th championship for Boston. The franchise last won the title in 2008, but has been close the past two years. In 2021/2022, the Celtics failed to beat the Warriors (2-4) in the Finals, and last season they lost to the Miami Heat (3-4) in the Eastern Conference Finals. The reigning titleholders from Denver made it to the Western Conference Finals after all. There, however, the team lost to the Warriors in game six.
In the individual awards, the Rookie of the Year prize went less surprisingly to Victor Wembanyama. There is a lot of hype around the Frenchman ahead of the season because of his special skills, but also a lot of pressure. Thus, the talent should lead the San Antonio Spurs back to old glory. The game is also giving him some advance praise. In terms of rating, the 19-year-old is the strongest rookie of the last five years.
Finals MVP was Jayson Tatum, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was in turn voted league MVP. Evan Mobley was named best defensive player of the year. Mikal Bridges was named MIP (Most Improved Player).
No titles for world champion duo
This would also mean: there would be no team title for the two world champions Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder playing in the NBA. Specifically, the two Germans can look back on the following statistics: Wagner achieved 15.7 PPG (points per game), 3.8 RPG (rebounds per game) and 3.3 APG (assists per game). Schröder finished with 11.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG and 4.6 APG.
The question remains, how meaningful is 2K’s oracle? Looking back over the last five years, the publisher has been wrong about the champion four times. Only in 2020 did 2K hit the mark and predict the right winner with the Lakers.