Badging Thread

[Foldzy]

Re: Badging Thread

Catch & Shoot, Mid-Range Deadeye, Pick & Popper, Tireless Scorer, and 6 slots. I added Hustle Rebounder to mine and am still deciding what to do with the other 5 options.

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.

[Biaxident]

Re: Badging Thread

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.

[harryl]

Re: Badging Thread

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]

Re: Badging Thread

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]

Re: Badging Thread

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]

Re: Badging Thread

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]

Re: Badging Thread

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]

Re: Badging Thread

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.

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]

Re: Badging Thread

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]

Re: Badging Thread

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.

[harryl]

Re: Badging Thread

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.

Definitely makes sense for how you play. I only drive a lot with him if it's Gauntlet (Blacktop), where there's much more room to create lanes and the nature of play encourages a lot of ISO...and driving to the basket helps to complement the deep ball threat.

Otherwise, the majority of shots I'd take with him are outside. Coupled with moving "Difficult" shots in the midrange, I think his strength is in forcing guys to respect his drive just enough to create outside space to bomb threes.

But that's me.

Acrobat does make sense, though. To me, Relentless Finisher is not really sensible use of a slot for anyone other than a Harden/DeRozan/Wade sort of slasher/driver.

But I am of the camp that takes prior descriptions literally and reads nothing else into it. So I think that Relentless just diminishes the Energy hit that the guy takes from contact shots in the paint. I don't think it increases the % of those shots going in.

And if not, then it's not useful for me because Crawford would always be a bench sparkplug type guy in 5v5 and, in Blacktop, Energy/fatigue is not a factor.

[harryl]

Re: Badging Thread

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.

So, thanks to QNo and Biaxident for the discussion on these badges, in particular. Instead of taking a deep dive on these badges in this thread, I decided to make a new one for this sub-discussion.

And I decided to post in the main OS 2K forum, since it's not MyTeam specific and most of the guys who get into the nitty-gritty of the game do not participate in this forum...

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...post2048501330

[Bubba13laze]

Re: Badging Thread

So, thanks to QNo and Biaxident for the discussion on these badges, in particular. Instead of taking a deep dive on these badges in this thread, I decided to make a new one for this sub-discussion.

And I decided to post in the main OS 2K forum, since it's not MyTeam specific and most of the guys who get into the nitty-gritty of the game do not participate in this forum...

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...post2048501330

Good topic there. I think it's safe to say that on a defensive minded player SF PF or C you will want to have both Defensive Stopper and Rim Protector on. For a defensive minded PG and SG I think it's safe to say Defensive Stopper is enough and they don't need Rim Protector.

So my Tmac. Comes with Posterizer and 3 slots. So far I have Posterizer, Acrobat, and One Man Fast Break equipped. I am having a really hard time deciding between my 4th slot.

Some help describing my play style with him.. Tmac is my go to scorer. I play him in the Iso, PnR, and Post. I like to do jab steps with him and drive in for a dunk/layup. Or if the defender sags from my jab and all my drives I take the jumper. I also use him as a facilitator in the PnR, and I take advantage of his 84 Post Fade.

In previous years I liked to have Dimer and PnR Maestro on Tmac. Also, Perimeter Lockdown, which I guess is now Defensive Stopper. I am having trouble deciding my last badge. Some options are:

Tireless Scorer
Difficult Shots
Relentless Finisher

Mid-Range Deadeye
Deep Range Deadeye
Catch and Shoot

Dimer
PnR Maestro
Ankle Breaker

Defensive Stopper

It's a really tough choice. I think I not only have to decide between offense, defense, playmaking, etc.. But I also need to decide between specifically attack the basket or shooting, etc. I think I am committing to the attack the basket style of play with equipping Acrobat and One Man Fast Break. With that in mind, I think my top choices for my last slot may be Tireless Scorer or Relentless Finisher. However, I feel like I may be making a mistake by not incorporating some type of defensive or playmaking badge, or even shooting badge as well. What do I do!?

[billiethetree]

Re: Badging Thread

Any thoughts on equipping the Shawn Marion reward card with rim protector? I want to make him my defensive stopper, but plan on playing him at the 3 not the 4, so not sure how useful that badge would be.


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[harryl]

Re: Badging Thread

Good topic there. I think it's safe to say that on a defensive minded player SF PF or C you will want to have both Defensive Stopper and Rim Protector on. For a defensive minded PG and SG I think it's safe to say Defensive Stopper is enough and they don't need Rim Protector.

I would definitely agree with you on that count. I'll maybe do a follow up in that thread but I think the important takeaway is that Def Stopper activates against jumpshots/layups/dunks and Rim Protector against post-up shots.

So DS is obviously most important for guards. Not important for them except if you want to counter one of the few guards who have elite post-up game (i.e. Kobe/MJ post-fade).

And RP is obviously most important for bigs, in that they're mostly defending post-up shots. BUT...DS is still very important, because it addresses defending guards and wings driving to finish at the rim.

Maybe. (Heh.)

So my Tmac. Comes with Posterizer and 3 slots. So far I have Posterizer, Acrobat, and One Man Fast Break equipped. I am having a really hard time deciding between my 4th slot.

I agree with your thoughts and share your sense of dilemma.

This is how I would settle it: strongly consider that you probably will not use this T-Mac for all that long, if you're a big T-Mac fan.

I think, in 2K15, there was only one McGrady and that was an elite, Onyx Magic McGrady.

In 2K16, there were three McGrady cards, released in ascending order of OVR: 82 OVR ROTY Gold Raptors McGrady, 89 OVR Gold Historic Rockets McGrady, and 96 OVR Diamond Magic McGrady.

Maybe they do just this 83 OVR McGrady and then do a Diamond version very late in the game. But I suspect it'll be the same as last year and you'll see a Ruby McGrady within a few months.

So, the point of this could be: break the tie by going with the cheaper badge so you're investing less sunk cost in a "temporary" card. You're already sort of doing that, if your platform is PC or like the PC AH...Acrobat being a little expensive, Posterizer economical, and One Man Fast Break being cheap.

Defensive Stopper is very compelling. But on PC, at least, it's one of the rarest and most expensive badges. Typically selling for 8-10K.

I would also stay away from badges that have to do with Energy. Because nobody is really heads-and-shoulders above readily available alternates. If McGrady gets tired and you relieve him with Majerle, it's not like you're going down in player quality. So no to Relentless Finisher.

And if your McGrady beats up on your opponent's McGrady and he has to put in Majerle...no big deal. So no to Bruiser.

(And same rationale to disqualify Tireless Scorer. You just sub in someone else so you're not shooting with a tired shooter.)

I would also not go with Deep Deadeye or Limitless. First, they're expensive. Secondly, he's not really a good shooter and he doesn't have good offensive consistency, so you don't want to take contested threes or long threes with him, anyway.

For P&R Maestro and Ankle Breaker and Catch & Shoot, it really depends on how you play. Will he shoot off of screens or be the ballhandler to dish to a roll man? Do you ISO with him and juke your way to the hole? Is he not your primary ballhandler and is mostly going to be waiting for a pass to shoot and/or running off off-ball screens?

Mid-Range Deadeye also will depend on how you shoot and how you play.

And Difficult Shots...this could be very interesting if very effective and one is apt to do stuff like shoot stepback jumpers and spin jumpers (like I'm thinking with my Ruby Crawford). Especially if the player's animations create a lot of space.

A big question is if Difficult Shots also activates for Post-Fades (turnaround fadeaways, really...I'm quite sure it'll work with face-up fadeaways) and Post-Stepbacks and Post-Hop Jumpers.

If so, then I would go with this. Because of his post-up game and high, for a guard, Post Fade. Even for that alone, but also throw in all the other "difficult" moving shots he'd take...not just midrange, but probably also outside (i.e. a stepback three-point shot or sidestep to use a screen).