I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

[maltliquor84]

Hey everyone. Long time lurker of this board, couple time poster here. I've been playing the 2K series for a long time and I'm at best a casual basketball fan. I watch the big matchups during the season and watch all of the playoffs and finals. So I have a solid grasp on who is good, what teams are great, and how the sport is supposed to be played - but I'm not a hardcore fan like a lot of you are.

So here is what I'm looking to do. I want to take the Knicks and create a team where the primary scorers at the SG and C position, like the Kobe/Shaq laker teams. My goal is to find and lock up elite level talent at those positions, while building a solid cast of supporting characters around them.

My problem is that I only play maybe 10 games each season, or enough to make sure I'll make the playoffs. From there I'll play every postseason game and if I'm lucky enough to make it, every Finals game. My issue comes in that I'm kind of a stat whore and as such not playing every game leaves player performance up to the CPU. So what I'm in need of help with is how to properly set a coaching profile so that my philosophy is exexuted even when I'm simming games.

My philosophy? I want a SG that is going to average 25+ PPG from primarily the midrange and post. From the C position, I'm looking for 20ish PPG and 10+ RPG. The team needs to live and die by these two players, have plays designed to get them into scoring position on a regular basis. And honestly, I have no idea how to do that when I'm not playing.

Early candidates for this team are Tim Hardaway Jr and Nerlens Noel. I know these aren't ideal candidates, but they are young and through development I think they can hit it. Nerlens for sure since I've developed him into a beast before.

Also, what kind of players should I surround them with?

Thanks.

[tetoleetd]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

idk about hardaway man. maybe you can develop him into a good bench player but he wont be a beast. how about someone like klay thomson? he is a knock down three point/mid range shooter and at 6'7, you could develop his post game and be a huge mismatch at SG. he's also a solid defender, although his defensive ratings in the default 2k roster are a little too low.

[AaeriosGames]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

I generally like to build my team as follows:

NOTE: Depending on my position in the draft, I'll establish who my go-to guy is, but I'd prefer it to be a SG/SF. I have included examples of the type of player that fits the mold I'm describing.

PG - Responsibility is to facilitate and ability to shoot from the perimeter is preferred. Ex: Patty Mills, Reggie Jackson, Isaiah Thomas, Eric Bledsoe

SG - Generally my best perimeter player. Ball is in his hands in late-game situations. Ex: James Harden, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, Manu Ginobili, Bradley Beal, Dwayne Wade

SF - Athletic, good perimeter defender, and ability to shoot 3-ball (but not a necessity) Ex: Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Evan Turner, Nicolas Batum, Tobias Harris

PF - Solid post game and reliable on the low-block when the offense is in the half-court. Ex: David Lee, Derrick Favors, Paul Millsap, Greg Monroe

C - Post defender, good rebounder, high motor. Ex: Andre Drummond, DeAndre
Jordan, Brandan Wright, Bismack Biyombo.

[TeamBuilder]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

If you're not dead set on playing as the Knicks, I recommend trying out the Sacramento Kings and using the combination of DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore. They are the closest thing I see to a "potential" Shaq and Kobe scenario.

Or, if you still want to play as the Knicks, you could try to trade Melo/Hardaway/Shumpert for Cousins/McLemore/Gay.

[maltliquor84]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

If you're not dead set on playing as the Knicks, I recommend trying out the Sacramento Kings and using the combination of DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore. They are the closest thing I see to a "potential" Shaq and Kobe scenario.

Or, if you still want to play as the Knicks, you could try to trade Melo/Hardaway/Shumpert for Cousins/McLemore/Gay.

I'm thinking about going this route. Looking it over this seems like a giant upgrade.

[AaeriosGames]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

I find that Ben McLemore, in terms of 2K, is a decent 3-point shooter and obviously very athletic but has trouble finishing in traffic with layups. Also, I'm very inconsistent with his jumpshot timing.

[dyjytying]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

Also, what kind of players should I surround them with?

[TeamBuilder]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

Also, what kind of players should I surround them with?

My suggestions:

Power Forward - Think about implementing a stretch-4 along the lines of: Kevin Love (if you can land him in free agency), Ryan Anderson, Andrea Bargnani, or one of the Morris twins from Phoenix. Chris Singleton from the Wizards is my personal favorite; I try to develop him into the next Shane Battier. Having your power forward stretch the floor gives Cousins more room to work in the paint.

Small Forward - Ideally you want a "D-and-3" player here: A Danny Green, Jared Dudley, Corey Brewer, or Jimmy Butler type.

Point Guard - This position depends whether you prefer to handle the ball with McLemore, or have him play off the ball. If he plays off the ball, go for a "pure point" type like Kendall Marshall. If you prefer to have McLemore as your primary ball-handler, think along the lines of an Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, or Patrick Beverly who can play off the ball and still D-up opposing point guards.

Once your team is set I'd be very interested in seeing your full roster. I like your idea of recreating a Shaq-Kobe scenario and it will be cool to see what kind of team you build.

[Bballplaya72]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

Don't pigeon hole positions. There aren't many scoring centers like Shaq. You want a wing and a big. Rather it be a 2 and 5 or 2 and 4.

Be flexible and adjust to the talent you can acquire

[samasche]

Re: I need some help building a team. I have some ideas for what.

There aren't many scoring centers like Shaq.