10 Classic Teams that should be added to NBA 2K17

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For the past couple of years the NBA 2K video game series has done a great job in bringing back some NBA history. It started in 2K11 when they added the “Jordan Challenges” where you played as Michael Jordan during his greatest moments. In 2K12 you saw the “NBA’s Greatest Mode,” which you controlled some of most iconic players in NBA History. 2K16 for the first time added teams in the 2000’s which became very popular right away. So what teams should they add in NBA 2K17? I made a list of 10 teams that I think could be added to the game, in no particular order.

1. 2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers

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  • Notable players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom

With Kobe Bryant on the cover of this years game, it is only right that they include his last championship squad. This Lakers team won 57 games during the regular season and defeated the rival Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in 7 games.

The starting lineup of Fisher, Bryant, Artest, Gasol and Bynum showed a nice balance on offense and defense. The bench was also good with guys like Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar leading the second unit.

2. 2001-02 Sacramento Kings

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  • Notable players: Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Vlade Divac

The ’02 Kings have been in previous installments of NBA 2K but were not in it last year. Part of the reason might be because of Chris Webber (he does not like to have his likeness in the video game series). If they can however convince him otherwise, bringing back this team will be fun to play with.

This team won 61 games during the season and lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers squad. The series itself is more famous for being rigged in order for the Lakers to go for a three-peat.

As far as playing, this team would be fun to bring back. Not only do they have All-Stars Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic, but also guys like Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, Hedo Turkoglu, Bobby Jackson, Scott Pollard, defensive stopper Doug Christie and a very young Gerald Wallace. This group of characters would be one of the more popular teams in 2k17 if they added it back.

3. 2008-09 Orlando Magic

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  • Notable players: Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis

There was a time when Dwight Howard was one of, if not the most dominate center in the league. During his time in Orlando, he was a night 20-10 guy and was a beast at protecting the rim. His best season with the Magic came in 2009, when he led the team to the NBA. Unfortunately, they lost in 5 games to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Even with the loss, this was a fun team to play with back in NBA 2k9 and bringing them back in 2k17 would be exciting. Howard was the main go-to-guy but they also had Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and a rookie Courtney Lee. The bench also has some notable names like J.J. Redick, Marcin Gortat, Rafer Alston and Mickael Pietrus running the second team.

4. 1992-93 Phoenix Suns

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  • Notable players: Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle

 If you look at other videos, articles and discussion boards, they’ll all say the same thing. Everyone wants Charles Barkley to make an appearance. Like Webber, he does not like to have his name and likeness in the game. He has been in it in the past as a member of the 1992 “Dream Team.” With the Dream Team included in the game again this year with the full roster, there may be some hope to have him on a classic team.

The 61 win team was led by Barkley, who won MVP during that season. The Suns lost to Michael Jordan’s Bulls in the NBA Finals. Regardless, this team was athletic and had plenty of scorers. Behind Sir Charles, they had Kevin Johnson running the point and Dan Majerle was a sharpshooter that helped stretched the floor.

5. 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks

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  • Notable players: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion

This was one of my favorite teams to watch during the 2011 NBA Playoffs. When the Mavs traded for Tyson Chandler in the beginning of the season, it paid off. Turned out that he was the missing link for a championship season.

Dallas had Chandler protecting the paint, Jason Kidd running the point, Shawn Marion locking down LeBron in the 2011 NBA Finals, Jason Terry being the spark plug off the bench and of course Dirk Nowitzki who was named Finals MVP. They also had some good role players like J.J. Barea, DeShawn Stevenson, Brandon Haywood and Caron Butler (he unfortunately did not play due to injury).

6. 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder

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  • Notable player: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins

Too soon for Thunder fans? Maybe if they add this team they can feel some nostalgia on what could have been. They made the NBA Finals in 2012 but lost to the Miami Heat. However, this was a young team that was poised to make a couple of nice playoff runs in the near future. That is until James Harden was traded to Houston.

Still with the players listed above, this would be a fun squad to bring back in 2k17.

7. 1999-00 Indiana Pacers

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  • Notable players: Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Rik Smits, Dale Davis

Reggie Miller is in the same boat as Chris Webber and Charles Barkley as he does not want his likeness in video games. Miller is always one of the more requested legends to be added in the game and if agrees to join then the 1999-2000 Indiana Pacers would be an option to use.

The 1999-00 season was one of the more successful seasons in franchise history. They won 56 games and made it to the 2000 NBA Finals as the #1 seed in the East. Outside of Reggie Miller, the team also had Jalen Rose and All-Stars Rik Smits and Dale Davis. They had some decent role players to like Mark Jackson, Travis Best, Austin Croshere, Chris Mullin and Sam Perkins late in their careers and a really young Al Harrington.

8. 2008 Team USA “Redeem Team”

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  • Notable players: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwanye Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Jason Kidd, Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd

Back in 2004, the United States compliled a 5-3 record during the summer Olympics and won the bronze medal. In weeks leading up the 2008 Olympics, leader LeBron James stated that “It’s the gold, or it’s failure.” Hence the nickname “Redeem Team”

To say the least, USA dominated the entire Olympic tournament. The only close game they had was against Spain in the gold medal game. This team had a lot of star power with rising stars like LeBron and Carmelo but also had some older veterans like Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant. With 2K adding both this years Olympic squad and the famous ’92 Dream Team, it would be cool to see them add another classic USA squad.

9. 2002-03 San Antonio Spurs

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  • Notable players: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili

With the recent retirement announcement from Tim Duncan, 2K should definitely consider this championship squad. This was also the final season for David Robinson, who is arugable one of the top Spurs of all time

The Spurs roster was loaded with talent; from the young trio of Duncan-Parker-Ginobili to the older David Robinson. San Antonio also had defensive stopper Bruce Bowen, a young Stephen Jackson and veterans Steve Smith and Steve Kerr.

10. 2006-07 Denver Nuggets

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  • Notable players: Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, J.R. Smith, Marcus Camby

This team might be random. The team won 46 games and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Spurs, but Iverson’s short stint in Denver was fun to watch. The combination of him and Carmelo Anthony resulted in a nice 1-2 scoring punch.

The team also had a young J.R. Smith and a great frontcourt rotation with Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin and Nene. On paper, this team looked like it could have made some noise but that was never case. Still, with the many personalities and different skills these guys had, they might be fun to play with on the virtual hardwood.

Like stated earlier, NBA 2K has done a great job adding past popular teams. There are many more potential teams that can be added to 2k17. There is no official announcements on what classic teams will be added, if any.

Do you agree with my list? What teams do you think should be added in the next game? Let us know @BBallSociety_

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