Looks like that year off (with plenty of video game play) did not payoff for No.1 seed Kevin Durant as he was upset by No.16 seed Derrick Jones Jr. in the first round of the NBA 2K Players Tournament. Jones Jr will be meeting Montrezl Harrell in the Quarterfinals, after he dismissed Domantas Sabonis in his own weekend game. Will Miami Heat’s high-flyer pull off another upset to make his way to the Semis, or will the Clippers’ Harrell clip Jones Jr’s wings?
Derrick Jones Jr’s No.16 seed status meant nothing as he took down No.1 Kevin Durant by a final score of 78-62, breaking the bracket for many in the very beginning stage. Jones Jr looked ferocious throughout the 24-minute game, even though Durant led in the first few minutes. Once Jones established the lead at the halfway point he never looked back. Instead of choosing his own virtual self and team, Jones Jr. played as Giannis Antetokoumnpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Durant, ironically, chose to play as himself but with the Los Angeles Clippers. Team and player selection was a smart move for Jones Jr as he made the right assumption that Durant would play as himself – opting for a Antetokoumnpo vs Durant matchup which evened the playing field. The NBA 2K20 version of Antetokoumnpo boasts an overall rating of 97 which served Jones Jr quite well. While we’re more likely to see the Miami Heat dunker choose his own avatar against Harrell, he may once again seek a more physically suitable suitor for the Quarterfinals. Whatever the case may be, we like what see from Derrick Jones Jr in this event.
Betting on Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers (+160)
NBA 2K20 Ratings
Overall Rating: 85
3-Point Rating: 40
Dunk Rating: 85
No.8 seed Montrezl Harrell made an even bigger statement in the first round, defeating Domantas Sabonis by 22-points for a final score of 73-51. You can view the highlights from that meeting here:
What can you expect from Harrell in the Quarterfinals? Harrell was one of the few (including Sabonis) to play with his own avatar AND real-life team, and given this first round success you can expect the same for the Quarters. Derrick Jones Jr. knows this and will adapt accordingly.
Writer’s Prediction
Derrick Jones Jr. is now no longer looked at as a long shot in the tournament. He defeats Montrezl Harrell in a close one, 81-78.
