Magic Gaming’s Remote Gameplay Opponent Analysis

Wednesday, May 6 vs. Bucks Gaming at 7 p.m.

Bucks Gaming retained its first round picks from the first two drafts for this season. Small forward Aaron “Arooks” Rookwood, the 10th overall pick in 2018, averaged 19.9 points during last year’s regular season, fifth most in the entire NBA 2K League. Center Tyler “Plondo” Lay, the sixth overall selection in 2019, showed he is one of the league’s most versatile big men while averaging 18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks in his rookie campaign.

Key Matchup: ToXsiK vs. Arooks

Friday, May 8 vs. Wizards District Gaming at 9:30 p.m.

Magic Gaming will get its first look at the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft’s first overall pick, point guard John “JBM” Mascone, during the first week of the season. Wizards District Gaming made pretty substantial changes during the offseason, trading Johnathon “Demon JT” Fields for a second round pick, which the Wizards used to take veteran Manuel “Newdini” Newman, a 76ers player the last two seasons. Washington retained Ryan “Dayfri” Conger, who played for Magic head coach Jonah Edwards in his rookie year for the Mavs, and Maurice “Reesedagod” Delaney, the team’s leading scorer in 2019.

Key Matchup: May vs. Dayfri

Friday, May 22 vs. Jazz Gaming at 7 p.m.

Jazz Gaming finished the 2019 regular season 8-8, playing well in stretches and struggling during others. They are led by its retained first round picks from the first two years, Shaka “Yeah I Compete” Browne and Spencer “Ria” Wyman. But, its X-factor may very well turn out to be its first round selection from this year, 10th overall choice Kimanni “Splashy” Ingram.

Key Matchup: Reizey vs. Splashy

Tuesday, May 26 vs. NetsGC at 7 p.m.

NetsGC made a couple of fairly big trades during the offseason, sending Nathaniel “NateKahl” Kahl to Pacers Gaming in exchange for a first round pick before using that draft selection to acquire Randolph “Rando” Moreno from Hawks Talon Gaming. Rando will now join forces with Brooklyn’s 2019 leading scorer, Isaiah “Wavy” Hancock. It will be interesting to see how the Nets structure their lineup considering last year Wavy mostly played point guard, the position Josh “Choc” Humphries, Brooklyn’s 2020 first round pick, primarily plays. Rando also has experience playing point guard, although he spent some time at shooting guard with the Hawks.

Key Matchup: Profusion vs. Rando

Wednesday, May 27 vs. Cavs Legion GC at 7 p.m.

Cavs Legion GC has one of the most experienced rosters in the league. In fact, only one player on the team is a rookie and four of them played in Cleveland last season, including William “Strainer” Morales. The sharpshooter was actually chosen by Hornets Venom GT in the expansion draft before the Cavs re-obtained him via a trade. Two other veterans for Cleveland are Tim “oLARRY” Anselimo and the reigning 2K League Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus “Godddof2K” Glenn. The Cavs finished 10th in the standings last year, one spot below the Magic.

Key Matchup: ToXsiK vs. Strainer

Thursday, June 4 vs. 76ers GC at 7 p.m.

76ers GC made it to the Finals last season and are expected to be one of the elite teams again this year. They will be led once again by Ethan “Radiant” White, the fourth leading scorer in 2019. The Battle Creek, Michigan native also was third in the league in assists, averaging 11.1 dimes per game. Philadelphia also brings back Alexander “Steez” Bernstein, Christopher “BreadwinnerLA” Lafanette and Rashann “Scretty” Petty, formerly known as ZDS. Scretty, who averaged 17.5 points in the regular season last year, was re-obtained by the Sixers after he was chosen in the expansion draft by Gen.G.

Key Matchup: Reizey vs. Radiant

Tuesday, June 9 vs. Knicks Gaming at 7 p.m.

Even though it’s only been a couple years since they won the first NBA 2K League championship, Knicks Gaming looks very different now after making four 2020 draft selections in the first two rounds combined. With the second overall pick, they chose point guard Chris “Duck” Charles, a potent scorer and savvy floor leader. Their other first round pick was Baton Rouge, Louisiana native Robert “CantGuardRob” Nastasi, a defensive-minded center.

Key Matchup: Reizey vs. Duck

Friday, June 12 vs. Kings Guard Gaming at 7 p.m.

The biggest trade of the offseason involved the Kings and Hawks, as Connor “Dat Boy Shotz” Rodrigues was dealt to Sacramento and Michael “BP” Diaz-Cruz went to Atlanta. Kings Guard Gaming also chose Rafel “Crush” Davis, a stout defender, with the third overall pick in the 2020 draft. Crush was spectacular during the combine, which vaulted him toward the top of draft boards despite not being a point guard.

Key Matchup: DT vs. Dat Boy Shotz