Guards story - Next Gen NBA2k21

[coachmac75]

A guards story...

I am lucky to start playing 2k on PS5 and i am delighted to start a franchise mode game (the only mode i play in any sport game).

After my online league campaign on 2K20 I finally decided to come back to the Wizkids.

Game setup

As usual my main focus is to create an immersive game with the complexity of a real pro sports environment (as much as possible in a video game). But 2k franchise mode, especially on next gen, is more than ever the best of any sport game.

Game is setup with all GM and NBA rules selected. So i will go through the GM tasks and skills, i never played my GM i think that it is combined with classic myLeague mode it is going to be more immersive to have request/pressure from management, coaches, players...

Managing the finanacial aspects look as well more realistic and more imerssive making tanking costly (because it impacts morale and brand marketing/finance) and I like it because it is more realistic/immersive.

Otherwise my setups are the following.

• Roster - Degfault 2k roster of 2nd December 2020 (post Wesbrook vs Wall trade)
• Draft class: Infamous classes for 21 and 22 then will decide...
• 82 games seasons, 12 minutes quarters for played games
• Gameplay (CPU/user settings) - schnaidt1
• MyNba sliders (trades/contracts/progressions...) - inspired from schnaidt1 (I will make a dedicated post)

House rules

Played games vs simmed games

I am usually reluctant to sim games. For the Show for instance i really enjoyed my 162 every picthes seasons with Marlins or A's... Now reality is i was struggling to play more than one season in 18 months.

I kept 82 games, because NBA seasons are 82 games long, but I want to play multiple seasons in next 6 months. So a season must be playable in 2-3 months like you do in a madden or classic 2k online league. So i must accept to sim games.

I like the different options offered by 2k for simed games and I have come with what i believe is a very solid / balanced rule for played games vs simed games. I will make a dedicated post for the schedule where i will explain my rule.

Furthermore, sim games create a critical added value by generating injuries and that is really a key factor for any realistic franchise mode.

Additional House rules:

• Free throws in real percentage with aiming off.
• No staff change and signing outside the offeseason.
• I will try to do my due diligence on trade. I made the setup as tough as i could on the matter so lets see...

Why the Wizards

After a long hesitation with Hornets, Pelicans, and Pistons I finally decided to play with Washington at least for my first offline.

I see the Wizards as a very challenging context for my sophomore 2k year for few reasons.

First, Wizards are stuck by salary cap for next two seasons. The Westrbook vs Wall trade is leaving the salary cap/financing unchanged for the next 2 to 3 seasons. Managing to resign players like Brown Jr or Bryant with bird exception will be critical and may prove to leave the franchise in a tough spot if failed as it will be impossible (unless i move one of the big contract) to sign any major free agent for next 2 off seasons. On top of that, Washington does not have the market of the Knicks so luxury tax might be tough to afford...

Second, there is definitely talent in this roster, but will it be enough to win in playoffs ? difficult to say... I mean Wizards may end up in that ugly situation of being too good to get a lottery pick but not good enough for a long playoff run. So i cannot expect a high lottery pick (normally unless i get big injuries) for next 2 seasons.

To sumarise Wizards are filled with an all star backcourt, have talented guys on the wings with Brown Jr, Hachimura, eventually Avidja, they have five who can strecht the defense... but we cannot sign any high profile free agent and we are likely out of the good draft picks spots...

That is why I consider a Wizards team which must do something with this backcourt a very interesting context for a myNBA game.

[coachmac75]

My myNBA sliders

My gameplay slidders will just follow schnaidt1 (just increased FT difficulty to 90), for the myNba sliders I made few changes on schnaidt1 initial sliders so i am posting them here.

All sliders start from All Star difficulty.


Game difficulty


Controller

Free throw Timing - Real Player %


Game difficulty

Quarter length - 12mn
QT length played games: 10
Normalise Minutes - ON
Normalise stats - Off
Game speed - 50


Difficulty

Simulator difficulty - 60
Trade nego difficulty - 100
Contract nego difficulty - 100
CPU re-sign agressibeness - 90
Morale difficuly - 60
Morale effects - 75
Chemistry difficulty - 60
Chemistry effects - 100
CPU Injury freq - 58
User Injury freq - 58
CPU injury effects - 42
Human injury effects - 42

Simulation

Player fatigue rate - 52
Player recovery rate - 48

Team pace - 49
Team fastbreak - 35

Possessions per game - 49
Shots - 47
Assists - 45
Steals - 53
Blocks - 47
Turnovers - 53
Fouls - 57
Injuries - 65

Shot types - all 50

Dunk % - 80
layup % - 55
Close range shot % - 53
MR % - 48
3P % - 70
FT % - 50

Shot dist - 53
Off reb dist - 53
Def reb dist - 43
Team reb - 47
Assists dist - 43
Steal dist - 57
Block dist - 53
Foul dist - 57
TO dist - 47


Injuries

Injuries - On
career ending injury frequency - 20


Trades

Trade frequency - 100

Team style importance - 25
Player fame importance - 3
Euro - Stash discount - 70
New player signing premium - 35
Untouchable premium - 85
Age dicount contending - 30
Age dicount buying - 10
Age dicount selling - 60
Age dicount rebuilding - 90

PLayer type discounts

All around - 100
2 way - 99
Offensive - 100
Defensive - 97
Athletic - 96
Rebound - 94
Playmaking - 98
Outside - 99
Inside - 98

Draft pick importance contending - 75
Draft pick importance buying - 100
Draft pick importance selling - 125
Draft pick importance rebuilding - 150

Pick depreciation - Year 2 - 90
Pick depreciation - Year 3 - 70
Pick depreciation - Year 4 - 50
Pick depreciation - Year 5 - 30

Net value contending - 10
Net value buying - 60
Net value selling - 30
Net value rebuilding - 90


Progression

Player progression rate - 55
Player regression rate - 45

Training effect - 54
Training intensity very low - 40
Training intensity low - 43
Training intensity medium - 50
Training intensity high - 57
Training intensity very high - 65
Work ethic None - 50
Work ethic Bronze - 57
Work ethic Silver - 64
Work ethic Gold - 73
Work ethic HOF - 82
Badge team player - 55
Badge none - 50
Badge extremely confident - 55


Attributes progression - Growth phase

Driving layup - 75
Post fade - 75
Post hook - 75
Post control - 75
Draw foul - 75
Close shot - 45
MR shot - 75
3P shot - 75
Free throw - 40
Ball handle - 75
Pass iq - 75
Pass accuracy - 75
Off rebound - 75
Def rebound - 75
Int def - 75
Perimeter def - 75
Lat Quickness - 30
Pass perception 75
Block - 75
Steal - 75
Def consistency - 75
Help def IQ - 75
Stand dunk - 50
Driving dunk - 75
Speed - 25
Speed with ball - 38
Acceleration - 25
vertical - 25
Strength - 75
Stamina - 75
Hustle - 50
Shot IQ - 75
off consistency - 75
Pass vision - 75
hands - 75
Reaction time - 75


Attributes progression - Peak phase

Driving layup - 15
Post fade - 15
Post hook - 15
Post control - 15
Draw foul - 0
Close shot - 15
MR shot - 15
3P shot - 15
Free throw - 15
Ball handle - 15
Pass iq - 22
Pass accuracy - 22
Off rebound - 0
Def rebound - 0
Int def - 15
Perimeter def - 0
Lat Quickness - -5
Pass perception 15
Block - 0
Steal - 0
Def consistency - 15
Help def IQ - 15
Stand dunk - 0
Driving dunk - 0
Speed - -1
Speed with ball - 0
Acceleration - -1
vertical - -1
Strength - 0
Stamina - -5
Hustle - 0
Shot IQ - 15
off consistency - 15
Pass vision - 22
hands - 0
Reaction time - 0


Attributes progression - Decline phase

Driving layup - -18
Post fade - -18
Post hook - -18
Post control - -18
Draw foul - -18
Close shot - -12
MR shot - -18
3P shot - -18
Free throw - 0
Ball handle - -18
Pass iq - 0
Pass accuracy - -12
Off rebound - -20
Def rebound - -20
Int def - -18
Perimeter def - -18
Lat Quickness - -25
Pass perception 0
Block - -18
Steal - -18
Def consistency - -20
Help def IQ - 0
Stand dunk - -12
Driving dunk - -18
Speed - -20
Speed with ball - -20
Acceleration - -20
vertical - -20
Strength - -20
Stamina - -30
Hustle - -20
Shot IQ - 0
off consistency - -18
Pass vision - 0
hands - -18
Reaction time - -25


Contracts

Salary cap value - 110
Salary cap infl rate - 35
Hard cap - On
Hard cap value - 205

Min rating - 68
Max rating - 84
Sal curve - 75
Player pot - 75
Player durability - 25
Player minutes - 25
Player fame - 20
Player non fin ambition - 85


Updated NBA 2k22




Playbook

Iso 32 Quick
Iso 5 out
Iso 5 Out 7
Fist 35 Rip 4
Fist 35 Give spain
Fist 35 Flow
Fist 15 wedge pop
Fist 15 spain
Fist 15 rev
Fist 15 High Swing
Fist 72 horns dbl
Fist 91 sts horns
Fist chest flare 3
Fist sts spain
Fist 15 out
Fist 81 out
Fist 91 horns side
Fist 5 out 4
Fist 21 delay
Punch 5 quick 2
High 15 clear
High 5 out
Punch 23 flex
Punch 3 iso
Cut 5 alley
Cut 5 horns dive
Cut 23 pin chin slip
Cut loop 42 dive
Give 53 horns fist
Give 51
Give 51 5 out
Give 51 quick 1
Quick 3 punch motion
Floppy
Quick 2 dive cnr
Quick 12 hammer snap
Quick 12 hammer
Quick 23 give 1
Quick 5 out 2

[coachmac75]

Regular season schedule

So as explained in the introduction we will go with a 82 games schedule.

However, I do not intend to play more than 30ish games in regular season. Again using 12mn quarters it should make a regular season playable ina couple of months (more or less).

The rules to build the schedule:

• I must play 2 games vs teams from my division (Southeast), one at home and one on the road - 8 games.
• I must play all other East conference teams once (balancing home and away games) - 10 games
• I must play all western conference team once (balancing home and away games) - 15 games
• Season opener and home opener must be played (eventually adding a game to the initial set described above).
• I must balance games before and after trade deadline.
• I must try to have one game at least per in game schedule week.

So in total it should make the season 33 games long.

Playoff are "best of 7" and will all be played.

[coachmac75]

Objectives and opening day roster

It always start by a discussion with management, and my governor asks us to win 28 games... so his confidence level is pretty low.

So that is a good thing to keep our job safe, at least I hope so.
The results sideshould be fine, but the financial might prove tougher. Since our payroll creates a structural deficit of $30M which hopefully will not put us in trouble...

On the roster shape, we already said in the introduction that the core players on this roster look solid enough to give us a chance.

Westbrook and Beal should average 36mn per game. If one of them fall for a significant part of the season then our expectation would suffer especially if we loose the Real Beal. Smith seems a decent backup at the point.

Given that we will get Hachimura or Bertrans at 4, the small forward ideally must be a solid defender. Still a work in progress for Brown Jr. Bonga could be serviceable, but my main problem is Avidja.

He is obviously a high draft pick just arrived but I struggle to be excited by his presence in our roster. First he does not have any high selling point, second i have players at 3 and 4 which i like more than him. So he will need to convince me that my early impression is wrong.

At center Bryant will be there early in games sharing time with Mo Wagner who has appreciated athletic and shooting skills. Behind them Lopez looks like valid depth with a solid post game and good leadership as selling points.

Note that we resigned Ian Mahimi to give us a paint protector option on the roster and mentor our young fellas.

So we have "protected" a few core players from any offer and defined a wish list. Obviously we would love a stronger presence at Center able to protect the paint, and eventually, stronger presence at small forward... Now back to our point on cap we are unlikely to be able to address that any time soon. But we may work on it...

On the tactical side coach Brooks and I had a lot of work to preapre a playbook. Basically we shoudl expect the following

• The first option to score is the Real Beal. We are working on importing some isolation and handoff plays to use Westbrook slasher skills.
• Westbrook or Beal should always be on the field (unless injured).
• When Westbrook is on the field without Beal, we need to ensure to have a solid shooter on the floor to keep the defense honest. So basically Bertrans should always be in when Beal is out.
• We will play a Pick N roll centric offense focusing on plays between guards and bigs. Bryant, Mo Wagner, Hachimura or even Lopez all give us flexibility to fade and keep the defense guessing.
• Lopez has elite post hook, while Bryant or Hachimura can offer decent post play. that is an additional option for us.

The defense... well for Wizards best defense is offense. I dont see us having much talent to dominate on defense especially against talented "bigs" or wingers. So we will have to do our best to contain and be patient.

Washington Wizards
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
4	Russel Westbrook	PG	32	6"3	200	$41.35M
14	Ish Smith	PG	32	6"0	175	$6.00M
19	Raul Neto	PG	28	6"1	180	$1.62M
3	Bradley Beal	SG	27	6"3	207	$28.75M
12	Jerome Robinson	SG/SF	23	6"4	190	$3.73M
24	Garisson Mathews	SG	24	6"5	215	n/a (2W)
6	Troy Brown Jr	SF/SG	26	6"6	215	$3.22M
9	Deni Avidja	SF/PF	19	6"9	215	$4.46M
17	Isac Bonga	SF/PF	21	6"8	180	$1.66M
8	Rui Hachimura	PF/SF	22	6"8	230	$4.69M
42	Davis Bertans	PF	28	6"10	225	$15M
13	Thomas Bryant	C	23	6"10	248	$8.3M
21	Moritz Wagner	C/PF	23	6"11	245	$2.16M
15	Robin Lopez	C	32	7"0	281	$7.3M
18	Anzejs Pasecnicks	C	24	7"2	229	$1.52M

[coachmac75]

Wizards ease to win in home opener

Wizards hosted the Toronto Raptors for the opener of the season.

A game dominated by shooters, Bertans and obviously Bradley Beal for the Wizkids.

All eyes have been on Westbrook for his first game in DC. And he has surprised by his unexpected added value on defense. He is a tenacious defender with surprising skills when it comes to navigate through screens and protect the basket with lateral moves.

In a videogame it is hopefully easier to have Russell to accept to be in that precious role to serve the team... I will manage some chit chat with him this week...

@

Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards
Dec 2, 2020	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Toronto (0-0)	18	36	31	26	111
Washington (0-0)	29	34	36	30	129

Toronto Raptors
TEAM TOTALS		42-96	14-40	13-13	47	22	12	5	10	111

Washington Wizards
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
R.Westbrook	37	6-14	0-0	1-1	5	11	4	1	3	13
B.Beal	40	18-31	8-15	5-5	8	8	1	0	4	49
T.Brown Jr	29	4-8	3-6	0-0	3	5	0	1	0	11
R.Hachimura	26	3-8	0-2	3-4	7	1	1	0	1	9
T.Bryant	24	3-5	0-0	3-5	10	4	1	2	1	9
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D.Bertans	24	9-14	6-8	0-0	4	3	0	0	0	24
M.Wagner	24	4-7	0-1	0-0	11	2	0	0	2	8
D.Avidja	25	1-4	1-3	0-0	3	1	1	0	1	3
I.Smith	11	1-4	1-4	0-0	2	1	1	0	1	3
TEAM TOTALS		49-95	19-39	12-15	56	36	9	4	14	129

[coachmac75]

Wizards sweat at San Antonio

After a couple of simmed games the Wizards travelled to San Antonio.

Wizards started very slow and had no answer to the constant rim attack from Derozan and Murray who highlighted Wizards inability to defend on the man.

Washington offense had an awful start unable to be on the right timing or to surprise Spurs defense. They played a more perimetric play in the second half. Beal was real but this game showed that collectively coach Brooks must identify a collective answer to the issues higghlighted at the rim.

@

Washington Wizards at San Antonio Spurs
Dec 9, 2020	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Washington (2-1)	18	36	31	26	111
San Antonio (1-2)	29	34	36	30	129

Washington Wizards
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
R.Westbrook	32	7-14	0-0	4-5	6	6	1	0	4	18
B.Beal	36	12-29	10-22	0-0	5	5	1	0	1	34
T.Brown Jr	29	2-4	2-4	0-0	3	3	2	0	1	6
R.Hachimura	30	1-14	1-5	4-4	3	3	1	0	1	7
T.Bryant	33	5-9	0-2	5-6	7	4	0	1	1	15
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D.Bertans	23	4-10	3-6	0-0	5	2	0	0	0	11
D.Avidja	23	1-3	1-2	0-0	2	0	0	0	2	3
M.Wagner	15	2-5	1-2	0-0	4	1	1	1	0	5
I.Smith	15	1-3	1-2	0-0	0	5	2	0	0	3
TEAM TOTALS		42-96	14-40	13-13	47	22	12	5	10	111

San Antonio Spurs
TEAM TOTALS		49-95	19-39	12-15	56	36	9	4	14	129

[coachmac75]

Pistons close to comeback at DC

The 2-4 Wizards were eager to win a game after back to back (sim) losses when hosting the 1-7 Pistons..

Washington produced a decent game with a good distribution of the ball and managed what looked like a comfortable lead... until the last 2mn when a dunk from Griffin tied the game.

In the money time a key 3 points basket from Beal and few free throws from Westbrook kept the win for DC.

@

Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
Dec 18, 2020	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Detroit (1-7)	25	28	24	35	112
Washington (2-4)	35	28	28	25	116

Detroit Pistons
TEAM TOTALS		50-94	9-25	3-4	44	33	11	1	14	112

Washington Wizards
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
R.Westbrook	36	4-10	0-1	11-13	9	8	3	0	2	19
B.Beal	35	11-26	6-16	4-5	3	10	1	0	3	32
D.Avidja	32	2-7	1-5	0-0	7	1	0	0	2	5
R.Hachimura	25	9-11	1-1	2-2	7	0	2	0	1	21
T.Bryant	28	5-5	0-0	1-2	8	6	1	0	2	11
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D.Bertans	23	5-11	1-5	0-0	4	2	2	0	0	11
M.Wagner	20	3-9	0-1	0-0	4	3	0	0	1	6
T.Brown Jr	19	2-5	2-5	0-0	2	0	1	0	1	6
G.Mathews	9	2-3	1-2	0-0	1	2	1	0	1	5
I.Smith	11	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	4	3	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		43-87	12-35	18-22	49	36	14	0	13	116

[coachmac75]

Celtics dominate Wizkids

Wizards on the road to face the Celtics, Washington looking to bounce back after a 2 (sim) games loosing streak.

Once more Wizards had a slow start, dominated in rebounds, the trio Walker- Brown-Tatum was tough to match especially in 2nd quarter. But Washington did not surender and bounced back defensively in second half.

Despite another solid games from Beal and Hachimura the Wizards could not manage a come back loosing a 3rd game in a row.

@

Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics
Dec 27, 2020	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Washington (3-6)	28	23	27	30	108
Boston (4-5)	31	34	25	26	116

Washington Wizards
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
R.Westbrook	38	7-22	0-1	4-5	7	6	3	0	2	18
B.Beal	35	12-25	9-18	2-2	3	7	1	0	3	35
T.Brown Jr	29	5-10	3-7	0-0	6	1	2	0	1	13
R.Hachimura	31	7-15	3-6	3-4	10	4	0	1	1	20
T.Bryant	14	2-3	0-0	1-2	0	2	0	1	0	5
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D.Bertans	25	2-10	1-8	0-0	1	2	0	0	0	5
M.Wagner	23	2-4	1-3	2-2	8	6	2	4	1	7
D.Avidja	18	0-2	0-2	2-2	7	1	1	0	0	2
G.Mathews	14	1-2	1-2	0-0	1	2	0	1	0	3
I.Smith	10	0-2	0-1	0-0	3	3	1	0	1	0
R.Lopez	3	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	0
TEAM TOTALS		38-96	18-48	14-17	51	34	10	7	10	108

Boston Celtics
TEAM TOTALS		43-93	13-38	17-21	64	23	7	2	13	116