MyTeam mode can be the source of both fun and frustration. It can be hard to compete with super teams in Road to the Playoffs even after completing the Domination mode. Winning has become almost pay to win to beat the lineups of players who have dropped real money on VC. I have come up with a list of players at each position that I believe are “steals”. These players might not be the cheapest Gold and Silver Cards but they represent the most bang for your buck. This list will provide general info on each player I have chosen including, ideal price range, height, weight, general strengths and weakness and how to use each player effectively. If you enjoy this guide be sure to checkout our other NBA 2K Tips.
Gold PG: John Wall
HT: 6’4” WT: 195 Overall: 86
Steal Price: 4,000-6,500
Strengths: Attacking the Rim, Passing, Athleticism, Defense
Weakness: Outside Shooting, Turnover Prone
How to use Effectively: PUSH!!! Outlet right to Wall and push it up the court. He can control the pace of the game. I am not saying sprint right to the paint and try and dunk on everyone, but I am saying is, after a defensive rebound his ability to beat almost everyone up the floor is valuable. If he gets by his man then someone else will have to pick him up to stop him from getting to the rim, meaning there is a new man open. Drive and kick is the best option with Wall. His stand still three is useable but don’t force anything. Defensively he can hang with almost any PG or SG given his size and athleticism. He is a great counter attack to Curry abusers.
Avoid: Settling for Jumpers, Trying to Dunk on Everyone
Legend PG: John Stockton
HT: 6’1” WT: 170 Overall: 87
Steal Price: 10,000-15,000
Strengths: Passing, Pick and Roll, Defense, Perimeter Shooting
Weakness: Athleticism, Finishing
How to use Effectively: Stating the obvious here but pick and roll game. Match him up with a guy that can pop or roll and that’s good enough for an offense right there. Spend some time learning how to read the pick and roll game in 2K and its hard not to find a shot. Coming off screens he is money from midrange despite his ratings not being too high. Scrappy defender, look to bring him down to double in the post. His high steal rating will produce a handful of steals a game.
Avoid: Trying to do too Much, Shooting to Score not When Open, Taking it to the Rim in Traffic
Silver PG: Greivis Vasquez
HT: 6’6” WT: 211 Overall: 77
Price: 1,500-3,000
Strengths: Jump Shooting, Passing, Versatility
Weaknesses: Athleticism, Defensive Quickness
How to use Effectively: Probably best to have him off the bench unless you are in a pinch. Can hit outside shots off the catch or dribble. Best to only shoot when open, don’t force shots he isn’t that kind of player. Pick and roll is a good option but be wary, his finishing skills are not the best but if he can get to the line he is money. Defensively he isn’t a star but his size can make up for his speed at times and his ability to guard both guard positions is a great bonus.
Avoid: Contested Layups, One on One Defense, Forcing Shots
Gold SG: Monta Ellis
HT: 6’3” WT: 185 Overall: 82
Price: 3,500-5,000
Strengths: Attacking the Rim, Instant Offense, Play Making, Steals
Weaknesses: Size, Defense
How to use Effectively: Monta is an ideal first guard off the bench, sixth man type. Starter quality but if you have a quality, true SG I would bring Monta off the bench. Get to the rim. Monta is not only great at finishing at the rim but also passing while attacking. Nice midrange game and off the dribble but not knockdown by any means. Run in transition, Monta is one of the fastest players in the game and is a great playmaker on the break.
Avoid: Spot up Shooting, Guarding big SGs
Legend SG: Steve Smith
HT: 6’8” WT: 220 Overall: 84
Price: 7,000-10,000
Strengths: Jump Shooting, Passing, Versatility
Weaknesses: Jack of All Trades, Master of None
How to effectively use Steve Smith: Listed as a 6’8” SG/PG makes him very versatile, can play PG/SG/SF. Has good passing for his position. He can create for himself pretty much at will from midrange but don’t fall in love with his three shooting, something about his release is a bit off. Decent finisher but still look to get to the rim, he has a ridiculous layup package. Let him hit a shot or two before going to him in an iso situation. Defensively he is solid and nothing more. If guarding PGs he is a bit slow but his height makes up for it.
Avoid: Chucking, Guarding PGs
Silver: Alec Burks
HT: 6’6 WT: 211 Overall: 76
Price: 1,000-1,500
Strengths: Catch and Shoot, Play Making
Weaknesses: Defense, Finishing
How to use Effectively: Mostly catch and shoot on offense but can beat players off the dribble at times. Bench scoring is a roll he is more than suited for. As a 6’6” combo guard he has some good defensive value and bench value because of his versatility which for me is a big thing.
Avoid: Off Balance Shots, Starting, Close Range
Gold SF: Rudy Gay
HT: 6’8” WT: 230 Overall: 82
Price: 4,000-5,000
Strengths: Finishing, Athleticism, Release, Versatility
Weaknesses: In-Between Game, Reliable Jump Shooting
How to use Effectively: Getting to the rim should be the number one priority but he doesn’t have to dunk it every time to get two points. Lay off the sprint button sometimes when driving to the rim, Rudy seems to make more layups than you would expect. Baseline drives with Rudy are a good idea and don’t be afraid to pull up but don’t fall in love with his inconsistent jumper. Best used as a spot up three shooter when not attacking the rim. His rebounding stats make it a realistic option to run him at PF while playing small ball and still grab some boards from the position. Defensively he can be a problem due to his decent defense paired with great athleticism and good size.
Avoid: Trying to Dunk Everytime, Off the Dribble Mid-range, Contested Threes
Legend SF: Lou Hudson
HT: 6’5” WT: 210 Overall: 84
Price: 9,000-10,000
Strengths: Creating off Dribble, Finishing, Midrange
Weaknesses: Size for Position, Rebounding, Defense
How to use Effectively: I typically like to dish to Lou on the perimeter, throw up a pump, then take it to the rim or if a big man is waiting pull up from midrange. Mid-range game is straight fire. Not automatic from three but useful and trustworthy three point shooter, not a typical catch and shoot player though. His finishing ability in both layup and dunk are excellent so his priority should be attacking. Might be a good option to run him at SG, or at least have him cover SGs because his size and defense for SFs really isn’t useful against all of the elite SFs in this game.
Avoid: Covering Strong Tall SFs
Silver SF: Evan Turner
HT: 6’7” WT: 220 Overall: 76
Price: 1,000-2,000
Strengths: Jack of All Trades
Weaknesses: Master of None
How to use Effectively: The second time I have used the phrase “Jack of All Trades, Master of None” but nobody exemplifies this trait more than Evan Turner. A scoring wing with point guard skills he makes for a great bench player who can play PG,SG,SF easily. He has decent jumpshooting ability from three and midrange. His dribble penetration paired with his passing skills make him a good second unit offense runner. He is a good athlete outside of his leaping ability but his defense leaves something to be desired.
Avoid: Spot up Jump Shooting, Layups vs Legit Rim Protectors, Guarding Elite SFs
PF: Serge Ibaka
HT: 6’10” WT: 245 Overall: 84
Price: 3,000-4,500
Strengths: Defense, Pick and Roll/Pop, Athleticism
Weaknesses: Back to the Basket Offense, Offensive Usability
How to use Effectively: Ibaka is an elite defender with great shot blocking ability and great low post defense. His midrange game is nice but won’t make many contested jumpers. He has three point range but I wouldn’t test his luck out there. Not going to beat anyone off the dribble or back to the basket. Pick and Pop is a good way to get him involved but don’t forget after popping that driving is still a good choice despite his great mid-range game.
Avoid: Relying on him for Scoring, Threes
Legend PF: Terry Cummings
HT: 6’9” WT: 220 Overall: 85
Price: 4,000-5,500
Strengths: Back to the Basket, Athleticism
Weaknesses: Shooting Range, Size, Shot Blocking
How to use Effectively: The best way to get Terry involved in the offense is dumping it into him on the low block and finding him in transition. Ridiculous athlete for his position and can run with almost anyone on the court. Post fade is nice but know its range. Pick and roll is a good option as he is a good finisher. Rebounding is good not great but his good passing makes him a great outlet passer to start fast breaks. Defensively his is neither a liability nor an asset but make sure to play a big defensive center next to him if possible because he provides little rim protection.
Avoid: 17+ Foot Jumpers
Silver: Thaddeus Young
HT: 6’8” WT: 230 Overall: 78
Price: 1,500-2,500
Strengths: All Around Game, Inside Scoring, Speed and Quickness for the Position
Weaknesses: Size, Defense, Rebounding
How to use Effectively: Thad is another PF that is a great athlete, which helps make up for his nothing special rebounding abilities. His pick and pop game is on point. Thad has a nice release with three point range but best to keep him in the midrange area. Listed as a PF/SF he has the offensive game more like a big with decent shooting but defensively he is more suited to guarding big SFs. A good discount defensive answer for players like Melo and LeBron.
Avoid: Threes, Guarding Legit PFs
Gold C: Chris Bosh
HT: 6’11” WT: 235 Overall: 84
Price: 4,000-5,000
Strengths: Shooting, Back to the Basket Scoring and Playmaking
Weaknesses: Strength, Guarding Legit Centers, Rebounding
How to use Effectively: Pick and Pop is probably the best way to get Bosh active in the offense. Knockdown from midrange and reliable from three, he is a beast of a shooting bigman. Really more of a PF than a Center he should probably be played at PF the majority of the time unless he is the Center in a small ball lineup. His pretty much a nightmare to defend and his deep shooting ability will draw his defender away from the rim, leaving the path to the hoop less clogged for the rest of the team. Nice back to the basket game but don’t let him become a black hole on offense. He is best used as a secondary or tertiary scoring option. Defensively he is a bit weak but can hold his own and is great in the pick and roll defense.
Avoid: Playing at C against Legit C’s, Forcing Threes
Legend C: Brad Daugherty
HT: 7’0” WT: 245 Overall: 84
Price: 4,000-5,500
Strengths: Inside Scoring, Back to the Basket Scoring
Weaknesses: Rim Protection
How to use Effectively: Brad is a monster on the low block, dump in into him and if left single teamed he is almost automatic. Post fade and hook are both excellent and good post footwork for drop and hop steps. Nice 15 foot and under jumper but only if wide open. Good defensive rebounder but lacks offensive rebounding. Not an athlete so play below the rim, offers just about no shot blocking but other than that a solid defensive player.
Avoid: 17+ Foot Midrange, Off the Dribble Offence
Silver C: Jordan Hill
HT: 6’10” WT: 235 Overall: 76
Price: 1,250-2,500
Strengths: Inside Finishing, Putbacks, Bunny to Mid-range Jumper, Rebounding
Weaknesses: Reliability, Defensive Awareness
How to use Effectively: Don’t look to use Jordan Hill if you want to use him effectively. Meaning he really shouldn’t be part of an offense unless it’s a putback, drop off pass, or expiring shot clock but the man does the dirty work. Great Screen setter and probably best used in the pick and roll so that the lane stays open for the ball handler. A good rebound and shot blocker is never out of place on a good team and while he might not be a scoring option that is why there are four other positions out there. Hard to find a better off the bench silver big than Jordan at the prices that he is going at.
Avoid: Offensive Usage
Hopefully for the players with a shortage of MT can find players for cheap that fit their needs after reading this. Remember the most important this about finding players for a team is the fit. There are certainly players better than the ones I discussed but know the offense and defense and pick players that would be the best fits for the team. 2K can sometimes make it hard to win with users buying solid gold lineups but remember skill and team chemistry can beat a kid with a credit card.
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