By Kristian Cuaresma

While NetsGC’s run in the SLAM OPEN did not end with the organization’s first tournament championship, it was still a great start in the pursuit of a NBA 2K League 3v3 championship. With a perfect group play round and top-six finish the bracket round, NetsGC is in third place with 90 standing points. With the top ten teams qualifying for playoffs and only four wins separating NetsGC from eleventh place, there is still plenty of work to be done to secure a postseason berth.

A SWITCH OPEN championship or a second deep run would likely clinch a playoff spot. Here are the four teams that await NetsGC this week.

 

NBL Oz Gaming

Rank: 22nd (Points: 20; Record: 2-5)

PG: Ceez/HarryVZN

Lock: Bagmotion

Forward: Plu

NBL Oz Gaming was responsible for ending NetsGC’s 5v5 season in 2023. NetsGC has a chance to redeem themselves, but it will have to happen against a team different from the one they last played against. The only returning NBL Oz Gaming player from last season is Australian-native HarryVZN.

The lone Australian franchise traded for point guard Ceez in the offseason. The former lottery pick played a majority of the SLAM OPEN for NBL Oz Gaming, until a hand injury took him out of the lineup. Regardless of who plays guard, NBL Oz Gaming still has former 3v3 champion Bagmotion at lock and one of the forward shooters in the league in Plu at forward.

 

Hawks Talon GC

Rank: 7th (Points: 60; Record: 4-5)

PG: MDS

Lock: UnderRatedGoat

Forward: Low

Hawks Talon GC is one of two teams that remain in the same group as NetsGC for the SWITCH OPEN. In the SLAM OPEN, NetsGC defeated Hawks Talon 3-1 on opening night. In that matchup, the 2023 number one pick MDS was not on the roster due to a suspension. When MDS returned, Atlanta continued to struggle and finished group play with a 1-3 record.

Despite the slow start, Hawks Talon GC hit their stride at the right time in the bracket round.
Hawks Talon GC upset Bucks Gaming in round one before defeating community team Rim Runners in round two. Their most impressive win came against the Gen.G Tigers, a team that would end up in the top three. Hawks Talon GC was the highest remaining seed (22) in the upper bracket final four. They finally lost against the eventual champions Lakers Gaming.

 

Gen.G Tigers

Rank: 4th (Points: 90; Record: 8-4)

PG: gallow

Lock: LawRich

Forward: Jolo

NetsGC’s SLAM OPEN tournament came to an end at the hands of the Gen.G Tigers. In the lower bracket semifinals, Gen.G defeated Brooklyn 3-2. Prior to this matchup, NetsGC was undefeated in instances where wthey led a series 2-1. Unfortunately, NetsGC struggled to stop gallow, who averaged 19.5 points over the next two games.

This game will have larger implications than the typical group round matchup. Even with the win, Gen.G still trails NetsGC in the standings due to tiebreaker rules. A victory for NetsGC will indicate that the team has made significant progress since their last matchup.

 

Cavs Legion GC

Rank: 16th (Points: 30; Record: 3-4)

PG: Killeyy

Lock: TBShiftay

Forward: DjayTooCold

Cavs Legion GC is another familiar face from the SLAM OPEN. In group play, NetsGC defeated Cavs Legion GC 3-2. Before the game, both teams were 2-0 and looked like favorites to lead the group. While NetsGC continued down that path, Cavs Legion GC would lose three of their next four games, with their only win coming against a community team.

Even though Cleveland remains outside of a playoff spot, the team’s potential remains high. The team is led by reigning 3v3 champion point guard Killeyy, who is supported by two of the best 3v3 players in the world in TBShiftay and DjayTooCold. Cavs Legion GC struggled with shooting throughout the SLAM OPEN. This surprised many because all three of their starters have historically been great shooters.