NBA 2K19: 9 Best Teams You Should Play First

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

Steph Curry NBA 2K19
2K Sports

Last year's Thunder often resembled a malfunctioning mess of elite players failing to hit admittedly astronomical expectations. Russell Westbrook had another triple-double season and Paul George's brilliance manifested through fits and starts, but the increasingly dilapidated Carmelo Anthony was an unmitigated disaster.

'Melo is no longer a millstone on the franchise, having left OKC as part of a three-time trade that brought Dennis Schroder to the Cinderella City. This improves the team's balance tenfold, in game and out. Gamers will no longer have to contend with the declining forward's brutal contract, and with Anthony out of the rotation, the likes of Schroder, Steven Adams, and Andre Roberson form a more functional supporting cast for the Thunder's two big superstars.

Westbrook is 2K19's eighth highest rated player at 93, but still a tad underrated. Regardless, he's a predictably terrifying athlete with whom you'll destroy opposing defences time and time again, while George is as lethal an all-round force as ever. Playing fast and furious is the way to go. The team's lack of perimeter shooting is difficult to circumvent, but a flowing Thunder offence is tough to stifle.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.