By Kristian Cuaresma

A Perfect Start

In a group with Cavs Legion GC, Hawks Talon GC, Knicks Gaming, and Raptors Uprising GC, NetsGC surpassed expectations and finished with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time in franchise history.

The closest game was against Cavs Legion GC, which required a game five. NetsGC initially trailed 2-1 in the match count, marking the first time they had fallen behind in a best-of-three series. Brooklyn responded with a 22-14 win, the largest margin of victory of the season. In game five, the reigning NBA 2K League Rookie of the Year, Greens, scored a season-high 19 points.

NetsGC concluded group play with their first ever 3v3 in-person game. In front of a live crowd at BrookLAN, the team swept their rivals Knicks Gaming 3-0. While the team trailed in all three games, a combination of persistent defense and timely shots always brought them back into the matchup.

The First Hurdle

NetsGC started the bracket round with a 3-0 sweep over community team Dreamshakers in round one and Grizz Gaming in round two. In round three, NetsGC matched up with Pistons GT, a team they historically could not beat in big moments. Last year, Pistons GT swept NetsGC 3-0 in the SLAM OPEN upper bracket finals and the lower bracket finals of the 3v3 playoffs.

While NetsGC finished game one with a dominant 22-12 win, the rest of the series was a grueling back-and-forth matchup. Brooklyn took game two, 21-19 while Detroit won game three, 22-18. In game four, Pistons GT forward Jomar was unable to make an open jumpshot for the win. NetsGC took advantage on the next possession and went on to defeat the reigning SLAM OPEN champions.

Stumbling at the Finish Line

With a spot in Championship Saturday on the line, NetsGC played Magic Gaming in round three of the SLAM OPEN bracket round. Orlando had dropped its first two games of the season but was on a five-game winning streak entering the matchup. The additions of rookie lockdown Jboolin and 3v3 star LowkeyGodlike were regarded as two of the best moves by any team in the offseason. With Unguardable leading at point guard, many followers predicted Magic Gaming would be a top 3v3 contender.

Unfortunately, Magic Gaming won 3-1 and handed NetsGC their first loss of the season. While NetsGC was able to avoid a sweep with a game three-win, Magic Gaming responded with a game four victory by a score of 21-17. Magic Gaming point guard Unguardable lived up to his gamertag and averaged 14 points on 77 percent shooting.

Knocked down to the lower bracket, NetsGC played the Gen.G Tigers in the next round for the right to remain in the tournament. The Tigers point guard and former Rookie of the Year gallow threatened to end Brooklyn’s night early, finishing with 12 points and four assists in a game one victory. NetsGC countered and took the next two games with a balanced attack in game two and a dominant performance from Greens (10 points) and Steez (11 points) in game three. In game four, gallow ended the series on his own and finished with 20 of his team’s 23 points.

NetsGC finished in the top six of the SLAM OPEN and earned 50 tournament points. A 90-point total and 7-2 record places the team third in the 3v3 standings. With the top ten qualifying for playoffs, NetsGC hope to make another deep run in the SWITCH OPEN.