The Detroit Pistons GT - Detroit's first Pro eSport Team

[Lowell]

The Pistons GT, the Detroit Pistons eSport team, takes to the keyboards on May 1 in New York City for NBA 2K League Tipoff tournament.

Huh? Me too. Here's how I understand it. Read the Freep write up for a great story.

The Pistons GT is a team of 6 gamers who play the video game NBA 2K that simulate an NBA basketball game. 5 players play, each playing as a single player, controlling a virtual NBA star, and not necessarily a Piston. The resulting game appears on a big screen much like a human game.

72,000 gamers tried out for the league which, through competitions, was reduced to 102 players eligible for the draft. Of the six players drafted by the Pistons, none are from Michigan.

They will share quarters in two house in W. Bloomfield, workout, and maybe compete, at the Palace but the games will be streamed on twitch.com if you want to watch.

They are paid $35K for six months with health benefits and a chance for a piece of potential playoff shares from a million dollar plus championship prize fund.

eSports has been a quietly growing phenomenon that now features gaming competitions that often fill giant arenas and now Detroit has its first pro eSports team.

[401don]

What you people won't do to get health benefits.