NBA 2K19: 9 Best Teams You Should Play First

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Steph Curry NBA 2K19
2K Sports

Of course you're going to want to play with LeBron James. The G.O.A.T. remains an absolute force of nature, the highest-rated player in 2K19, and someone even complete newbies should be able to take a game over with.

Finally removed from the eastern conference, The King is in an interesting spot. He isn't surrounded by superstars like he was in Miami (and, for a while, Cleveland), but his presence makes this group of promising youngsters and sly veterans immediate contenders. Breaking the Warriors' western dominance is a huge longshot, though.

LeBron will shoulder much of your offensive burden. His Baby Lakers do lack firepower, particularly at point guard, where the developing Lonzo Ball and 32-year-old Rajon Rondo (a historically bad jump-shooter) can't be relied on to drain buckets. Still, their considerable playmaking skill compensates for this.

In Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma, the Lakers have a capable young core ready to be sculpted into superstars. Center is a weakness, as you'll have to rely on the cumbersome Javale Magee, and MyGM players will likely want to add another All-Star to get the best out of this side, but the Lakers' pull is strong.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.