Three Toughest Associations in NBA 2K13

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/14/2012 by Bishop Tart

NBA 2K13 is looking great every time we see it, and we all know which teams will be easy to play with this year (Heat, Lakers, Thunder, Bulls, etc). But which teams will be the toughest to use? We'll list the three teams, why we think they will be so hard to use in NBA 2K13, and what you can do to improve them. Wheeling and dealing with trades is a hint.

Charlotte Bobcats

This one is the most obvious. They had the worst winning percentage in NBA history last year, so don't expect their players ratings to be that high in this year's game. Yes, they are a young team, but in NBA 2K13, they will be a team to try and avoid. Gerald Henderson seems to improve with each iteration, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be fun to play as for Bobcats fans. However, they don't have a go-to player. Ben Gordon? I don't think so. Tyrus Thomas? Yeah...no. When people go into the Association mode, or even online, they want that one player who can turn the game around for them or break it wide open. The Bobcats simply will not have that in NBA 2K13. How do you fix that? Go through the rosters of other teams and try to trade for a player that won't require you to trade away too many of Charlotte's young talent, but one that can help you immediately win games. If you play against human players (online, local) more than you play the CPU, like previously mentioned, it's best to avoid playing as the Bobcats this year.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The oldest player on the Cavs is Luke Walton at age 32. So why are they on this list? To be as concise as possible: no star power. Sure, Kyrie Irving will be a solid PG for fans of Cleveland and using him in online play might be fun for a few games, but not a single player on their team can shut down an opposing player with their defense or score the necessary points required to win a game. Our suggestion? Trade for a player that will help Kyrie Irving, possibly an athletic power forward who can can do well at the pick & roll (for readers, this is indeed my favorite play). Tyler Zeller might be great at that for some, but leaving him at center and signing or trading for a more athletic power forward will help the Cavs in NBA 2K13 tremendously. When taking the Cavs online, I would start Tyler Zeller over Anderson Varejao. Varejao has always been a good bench player in the NBA 2K series. This might shock some people, but I think Jeremy Pargo would be great at SG to compliment Kyrie Irving. Daniel Gibson is a decent player and spot-up shooter, but Jeremy Pargo looks like the better all-around player.

Sacramento Kings

This last team on this list was between the Kings and Wizards. I had to go with the Kings seeing as how the Wizards have a much improved team with the addition of Bradley Beal to go alongside John Wall. Add in Nene, Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, and you have a team that any fan of the NBA 2K franchise would love to play with.

As for the Kings, they have potential. But going up against the likes of the Clippers and Lakers during the season will be tough for people playing as the Kings. Sacramento on paper does seem like a great fit to start an Association with, but not so fast: their young players might be difficult to play with in NBA 2K13. First, move Tyreke Evans to SG if he is listed as a SF. Next, put Jimmer Fredette in at starting PG (Aaron Brooks on the bench). Jimmer might not have great ball handling, but with his shooting, you are sure to have the defense on top of him every time he dribbles up the court. With Fredette at PG, Tyreke Evans at SG, Marcus Thornton at SF, rookie Thomas Robinson at PF and DeMarcus Cousins at C, you should have a team that could potentially be a little easier to use. Signing a decent player at that position might be your best bet, but you can go game-by-game before making that decision.

Think there is a team that will be tougher to use in NBA 2K13? Let us know in the comments below.

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Member Comments

# 21 ThisIsWeaponX @ 09/14/12 03:39 PM

Isaiah Thomas > Jimmer Fredette

# 22 majorstats @ 09/14/12 03:42 PM

New Orleans, Detroit, Charlotte, and Washington in that order for me. I will have a lot of fun in NBA 2k13

# 23 Rdub33 @ 09/14/12 04:42 PM

^ lol tell em how you really feel

# 24 RB10 @ 09/14/12 04:46 PM

Isaiah Thomas hatin'......

# 25 Slimshady718 @ 09/14/12 04:50 PM

U guys r crazy the magic can very well make the 8th seed

# 26 kjjnesb @ 09/14/12 04:57 PM

Celtics,Spurs,and Nets the first couple yrs with those teams might be nice but based on the aging players/contracts on those rosters they could end being a long term project imo.

# 27 sschevyridah @ 09/14/12 04:58 PM

i dont think any team is deemed a "cheese" team. i think the teams he mentioned all have stars so "cheesers" run with them bc they have gifted players. personally i play with LA very seldom online but I always been a sim player.

the magic will by far be the hardest!

# 28 Caveman24 @ 09/14/12 05:01 PM

Orlando Magic

# 29 ESB32CrowBonez @ 09/14/12 05:50 PM

Bobcaats is going to be real easier than the magics. CATS got kemba gordon and gilchrist which are talent. Magics have no potential star no sleeper and no offensive strategy to work with. My rebuild association is the Rockets or Warriors.

# 30 Kingpin 510 @ 09/14/12 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhunter2323


	That guy said theres a difference between tough teams to play with nd tough teams to use he sounded very dumb I feel the toughest tem to play with is the t Toronto rapters u feel

I'm trying to read your comment and you're sounding really dumb. The guy was saying there is a difference between a tough team to play with as in in quick game and a tough team to start your association mode with. Smh.

# 31 Ijeswannaknow @ 09/14/12 07:28 PM

My Bulls will be just fine.... we have a decent roster. We might struggle, but we play hard and we play defense!

# 32 JoSiiF @ 09/14/12 07:41 PM

your crazy isaiah thomas guna bring the kings back on top

# 33 jwtucker710 @ 09/14/12 07:41 PM

Just noticed that it's posted below on OS, but EA's NBA LIVE 13 has an actual clip from EA.
Not sure what to make of it. Apparently it's not even close to being done. Personally, I think they're doing the right thing not releasing it at the same time as 2K, but curious as to what they're really doing. They don't have the same core programmings working on other games. At least I wouldn't think so. Hope to see more of LIVE and something released in a traditional release disc before Thanksgiving.

http://www.easports.com/nba-live

# 34 css004 @ 09/14/12 07:44 PM

The hawks are gonna be pretty terrible to play with. And what about the Magic?

# 35 djwax90 @ 09/14/12 07:48 PM

Easiest 3: Heat, Thunder, Lakers

Toughest 3: Bobcats, Magic, Rockets

End of thread.

# 36 liodeesxalf @ 09/14/12 09:11 PM

No offense to Fredette, but Thomas is much better at the point guard position.

# 37 ron_bato @ 09/14/12 10:16 PM

I think the kings might be a little bit easier to use this year with Thomas Robinson being rated decently and DMC getting a bump in the ratings (hopefully). Plus we have Aaron Brooks and Isiah Thomas, if DMC has some decent sig skills, i think it will be easy to work with what Sac's got.

I agree with mostly everyone that I'd take most teams over Orlando this year. There's really very little to work with on the magic.

# 38 ron_bato @ 09/14/12 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeC


	What? He obviously didn't watch any Kings games last year if he insists on Jimmer as the starting PG. Thomas last year was the much better 3 point shooter and Tyreke started becoming even more dynamic by moving to the SF position where he could cut to the basket and make easy dump off passes to Cousins or finish strong at the rim. That, along with the fact that Thornton was our best scorer (and clutch player) last year means that Tyreke should stay at the SF spot. Not to mention Thronton won't be at that much of a height disadvantage if he stays at the 2 instead of going to the 3. Also with the fact that both big men on the floor can shoot that mid range jumper that opens up lanes to the rim for Evans and Thornton, making it much easier to get an assist or foul call if a big man comes over to help. PG: Thomas SG: Thornton SF: Evans PF: Robinson C: Cousins That's not a bad lineup. So, if you would please refrain from speaking about my Kings without backing up your points I'd appreciate it.

This is what i thought too. I'd start Isiah Thomas over Jimmer any given day just because Thomas is a much better distributor and turns out to be a decent shooter. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod this year to start between Brooks and Thomas. But Jimmer is far from that equation IMO.

# 39 jcwkings @ 09/14/12 10:41 PM

This guy knows very little about the Kings. Jimmer isn't even likely to see minutes this year barring some vast growth in his overall game and confidence. Isaiah Thomas is set to be the starting pg, while Brooks could have a say if he impresses in the pre season. Tyreke is expected to go back to SG and Thornton is expected to become the 6th volume scorer. Jason Thompson was re signed over the summer and will be the starting PF, Robinson is exepected to be the first big off the bench. James Johnson could start at the 3 and bring a much needed defensive mentality to the other starters. Then you have guys like Salmons and Travis Outlaw that could do something off the bench. I think with the potential of Cousins and Tyreke(21 and 22 years old) and some solid tradeable pieces, Kings are a good association to go with for people that trying to turn a young team into a contender 2 or 3 seasons down the road.

# 40 sactown_13 @ 09/14/12 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeC


	What? He obviously didn't watch any Kings games last year if he insists on Jimmer as the starting PG. Thomas last year was the much better 3 point shooter and Tyreke started becoming even more dynamic by moving to the SF position where he could cut to the basket and make easy dump off passes to Cousins or finish strong at the rim. That, along with the fact that Thornton was our best scorer (and clutch player) last year means that Tyreke should stay at the SF spot. Not to mention Thronton won't be at that much of a height disadvantage if he stays at the 2 instead of going to the 3. Also with the fact that both big men on the floor can shoot that mid range jumper that opens up lanes to the rim for Evans and Thornton, making it much easier to get an assist or foul call if a big man comes over to help. PG: Thomas SG: Thornton SF: Evans PF: Robinson C: Cousins That's not a bad lineup. So, if you would please refrain from speaking about my Kings without backing up your points I'd appreciate it.

glad someone caught this. as a fellow kings fan i am in agreement with you. watched every game except two last year and I. Thomas is a good player and somehow is still flying under the radar. and who the hell would start thornton at the 3??!! if you start evans at the 2 then thornton would be a excellent 6th man but in know way do you start him at the 3 spot. Jimmer is either trade bait or a role player at best. the only thing i might change about your lineup is thompson over robinson depending on how they rate JT. at least for a year, he had a good season last year and hopefully is starting to tap into some of that potential he had coming out of rider

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