Badging Thread

[harryl]

Quote: Originally Posted by Foldzy

haha that's funny I just got him and did the exact same thing. I know I'm gonna give him corner specialist too but after that it's tough. I think I'm gonna go pure offense Post spin, dream like up and under, brick wall, break starter, pick and roller, bruiser, put back king are the ones I'm looking at but that's 8 badges for 5 slots.... suggestions? I'd get him rim protector if they didn't do him so dirty defensively. I'm pretty convinced whoever made this card only ever watched bosh in Miami because with Toronto he was a lot less 3 and a lot more D.

I think Hustle Rebounder and Putback King are easy to let go of, as I don't think either would get engaged but maybe 3 times, max, per game.

[harryl]

Quote: Originally Posted by Biaxident

My badges on emerald Anthony Davis: Rim Protector (pre-set) Hustle Rebounder Defensive Stopper Corner Specialist He has been an animal for me since I badged him out. With corner specialist, he stretches out the defense in 4-1 or 5-out, while still remaining a force defensively. I would consider him one of the top PFs in the game still right now, but he seems underused. Wish I had more badge slots because I would give him Posterizer, Post Spin, Pick and Roller, etc. A great great card.

Don't worry too much about what you did with him, because it won't be terribly long before you don't consider him all that useful, due to getting a better version of him or another, better option.

That said, for AD, I would probably choose one of these 4:

1) Post Spin Technician: pretty much the bread-and-butter post move, even if it just leads to a different post move.

2) Pick-and-Roller: if you're running him as your screener in PnR constantly, then this is constantly useful.

3) Rim Protector: remember that Defensive Stopper is more of a perimeter defensive badge. Even if he's not necessarily defending guys who are posting up because they're a stretch 4, they're still unlikely to be breaking him down and taking a shot from range.

4) Brick Wall: If P&R is your go-to tactic with him, then this is basically apt to engage every single offensive possession.

[Edit: Just checked...sorry...see now that he comes with Bronze Rim Protector, so adding Defensive Stopper is not at the expense of that, and of course makes sense when/if he's switched onto a guard. FYI: I did it a while ago and forgot, but I added: Pick & Roller, Post Spin Technician, and Brick Wall.]

[harryl]

At first, I bought a Handles Ruby Jamal Crawford because it was a good price and I thought I'd mess around with him a bit before reselling him. Still might resell him but may just keep him, especially if he ends up being the best Jamal Crawford in the game. (He's not my kind of guy -- all O and no D -- for MTO or even Domination/Challenges, but he's great for Blacktop.)

Comes With (I Think):
- Ankle Breaker
- Flashy Passer
- P&R Maestro

Open Slots: 4

I'm debating on whether to badge him exclusively for offense (shooting) or make a token or even substantial nod toward reducing his defensive liabilities. Glad Ankle Breaker is already there, as that's mandatory for him. P&R Maestro is highly desirable, so glad it's included.

The ones I'm thinking for his four empty slots are...

Possibilities

1. Limitless Range: take deep-threes, of course, but not crazy Curry-deep. "Deep" as in juking along perimeter and not right behind the line...2 or 3 feet deep, something like that.

2. Deep-Range Deadeye: obvious.

3. Difficult Shots: I'm really wondering how effective this is. I have never really pulled moving shots on purpose. Stuff like stepback jumpers and spinning jumpers. But Crawford is well-suited for it and it's just a natural extension of his ISO style of play/shooting.

3. Mid-Range Deadeye: not one for taking midrange shots, generally, but especially paired with Difficult Shots, if it can significantly blunt the penalty for taking a stepback jumper that the defender moderately manages to contest, for example, this seems natural.

5. Defensive Stopper: obviously to try to make up for how bad he is, defensively. Maybe a lost cause? Not even really sure what this badge specifically does. Last year, Perimeter LD definitely counteracted outside shooting badges and perhaps gave a buff to lateral movement?

6. Pick Dodger: should have concrete benefit to practical ability to defend on the perimeter, even if only to help him not get so caught up in off-ball screens.

There are other enticing possibilities. Acrobat, for example. Or even Dimer. Open to arguments for others, but that list of 6 is what I'm thinking of choosing from, so far.

[Biaxident]

Quote: Originally Posted by harryl

5. Defensive Stopper: obviously to try to make up for how bad he is, defensively. Maybe a lost cause? Not even really sure what this badge specifically does. Last year, Perimeter LD definitely counteracted outside shooting badges and perhaps gave a buff to lateral movement?

I'll have to do more observation, but to me it seems like they expanded "Defensive Stopper" to encapsulate both Perimeter and Post Lockdown Defender this year. "While playing on-ball defense, this badge drops various offensive skills of similarly positioned matchups." I wouldn't be surprised if it lowers opponent post move ability when you're in the paint as a PF/C. For perimeter defenders, I would guess it's the same as last year: lowers the shooting and dribbling badges by whatever degree you have it badged vs. the opposing card.

I actually think emerald AD will have a good amount of time being an effective PF and small ball C. Even if there is say a diamond moments AD by the end of the year, if I can't afford that immediately the emerald card still holds its own as a defensive card because of its great athleticism and rebounding. I've faced sapphire, ruby cards, Diamond Larry Johnson, Bosh, etc. and haven't had any issues or felt that I would honestly prefer his counterpart. He's limited offensively but AD has always been a dirty work card.

[Bubba13laze]

Quote: Originally Posted by harryl

At first, I bought a Handles Ruby Jamal Crawford because it was a good price and I thought I'd mess around with him a bit before reselling him. Still might resell him but may just keep him, especially if he ends up being the best Jamal Crawford in the game. (He's not my kind of guy -- all O and no D -- for MTO or even Domination/Challenges, but he's great for Blacktop.) Comes With (I Think): - Ankle Breaker - Flashy Passer - P&R Maestro Open Slots: 4 I'm debating on whether to badge him exclusively for offense (shooting) or make a token or even substantial nod toward reducing his defensive liabilities. Glad Ankle Breaker is already there, as that's mandatory for him. P&R Maestro is highly desirable, so glad it's included. The ones I'm thinking for his four empty slots are... Possibilities 1. Limitless Range: take deep-threes, of course, but not crazy Curry-deep. "Deep" as in juking along perimeter and not right behind the line...2 or 3 feet deep, something like that. 2. Deep-Range Deadeye: obvious. 3. Difficult Shots: I'm really wondering how effective this is. I have never really pulled moving shots on purpose. Stuff like stepback jumpers and spinning jumpers. But Crawford is well-suited for it and it's just a natural extension of his ISO style of play/shooting. 3. Mid-Range Deadeye: not one for taking midrange shots, generally, but especially paired with Difficult Shots, if it can significantly blunt the penalty for taking a stepback jumper that the defender moderately manages to contest, for example, this seems natural. 5. Defensive Stopper: obviously to try to make up for how bad he is, defensively. Maybe a lost cause? Not even really sure what this badge specifically does. Last year, Perimeter LD definitely counteracted outside shooting badges and perhaps gave a buff to lateral movement? 6. Pick Dodger: should have concrete benefit to practical ability to defend on the perimeter, even if only to help him not get so caught up in off-ball screens. There are other enticing possibilities. Acrobat, for example. Or even Dimer. Open to arguments for others, but that list of 6 is what I'm thinking of choosing from, so far.

I would think acrobat + relentless finisher combo on him would work well if you like to attack the basket with him. When I play with him I prefer to drive or do pull up midrange. I am not a big 3 point shooter with him, although he can knock it down. My top 4 would be: Acrobat, Relentless Finisher, Mid-Range Deadeye, and Difficult Shots.

[harryl]

Quote: Originally Posted by Biaxident

I'll have to do more observation, but to me it seems like they expanded "Defensive Stopper" to encapsulate both Perimeter and Post Lockdown Defender this year. "While playing on-ball defense, this badge drops various offensive skills of similarly positioned matchups." I wouldn't be surprised if it lowers opponent post move ability when you're in the paint as a PF/C. For perimeter defenders, I would guess it's the same as last year: lowers the shooting and dribbling badges by whatever degree you have it badged vs. the opposing card.

Thanks for highlighting the specific description. I didn't really read it carefully and was just assuming that it is Perimeter LD plus some aspects of Eraser. Likewise for Rim Protector being Post LD and perhaps aspects of Eraser.

It would be very interesting to see video of a team playing defense with various players carrying Defensive Stopper and Rim Protector and see what gets activated, when, where, and against whom.

The way they describe Def Stopper is super-vague and suggestive of so many possible things.

Quote:

I actually think emerald AD will have a good amount of time being an effective PF and small ball C. Even if there is say a diamond moments AD by the end of the year, if I can't afford that immediately the emerald card still holds its own because of its great athleticism and rebounding. I've faced sapphire, ruby cards, Diamond Larry Johnson, Bosh, etc. and haven't had any issues or felt that I would honestly prefer his counterpart.

He gets a lot of play time for me, right now. I have a rotation of guys I use at 4 and 5 fairly interchangeably: AD, Dray, J-Smoove, Marion, along with DJ, Horry, and Cousins.

But I feel like they're going to introduce better version Moments cards as soon as players have a notable game to warrant it. They'll probably try to artificially make it a ramp-up during the season, and won't be giving people Diamonds straight out of the gate.

So I wouldn't be surprised if there's, say, a Sapphire Moments AD in the first couple months of the NBA season.

But, again, your badging makes sense and as long as he's useful, then he's useful.

[Biaxident]

Quote: Originally Posted by harryl

Thanks for highlighting the specific description. I didn't really read it carefully and was just assuming that it is Perimeter LD plus some aspects of Eraser. Likewise for Rim Protector being Post LD and perhaps aspects of Eraser. --- He gets a lot of play time for me, right now. I have a rotation of guys I use at 4 and 5 fairly interchangeably: AD, Dray, J-Smoove, Marion, along with DJ, Horry, and Cousins.

Rim Protector's description to me sounds like the equivalent of last year's Eraser. And I like what you do for your front court, I'm similar with my rotation: Davis/Cousins starting and then a mix of Smoove/Whiteside/Kevin Willis/KD/Marion. Fresh legs and adaptability.

[QNo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Biaxident

I'll have to do more observation, but to me it seems like they expanded "Defensive Stopper" to encapsulate both Perimeter and Post Lockdown Defender this year. "While playing on-ball defense, this badge drops various offensive skills of similarly positioned matchups." I wouldn't be surprised if it lowers opponent post move ability when you're in the paint as a PF/C. For perimeter defenders, I would guess it's the same as last year: lowers the shooting and dribbling badges by whatever degree you have it badged vs. the opposing card.

I suspect the same thing, makes the most sense to me. This would leave Rim Protector being more similar to last year's Eraser. I feel like Defensive Stopper is a necessary badge on almost any player, and the most important badge in the game. I'm not sure how important Rim Protector is; how often it procs and whether you want to put in on 5s with poor help defense, 4s, or maybe even 3s.