Players just getting into the world of 2k could be overwhelmed by the number of options and possibilities that come with creating your MyPlayer, whether it be for your MyCareer, or if you just want to ball out in the game’s Neighborhood (The City for next-gen players).
Each of your five playable positions contains five position archetypes, all geared to a completely different play style. Here’s your position-by-position guide to each archetype, and its advantages and disadvantages.
Point Guard
Scoring Machine
With the primary ability of Sharpshooting and secondary ability of Defending, your SM build will give you balance that splits you right down the middle. You’ll be an anchor for your team on both ends of the court; able to hit most jumpshots from mid-range and some from beyond the arc, while retaining solid defensive capabilities on the back end. A jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
Offensive Threat 1
OT builds could be the most deadly offensive builds in the game. If you’re looking to create a juggernaut on offense (think Stephen Curry), look no further. With the build of an OT1, you will retain the base abilities of Sharpshooting and Slashing, giving you the skills to hit jump shots all over the offensive zone, while remaining a threat to quickly slice between defenders and score inside the paint.
OT1’s downfall comes in the defensive zone. While your speed will help you transition quickly and stay in position, you won’t be creating many steals or blocks.
Offensive Threat 2
With the build of an OT 2, you will be among the fastest players on the court. Your base abilities of Slashing Shot and Creating won’t give you the skills to threaten much from three-point range, but your speed and ball handling prowess will open the floor for you.
If you plan to use this build, take some time to learn a few ball handling moves which will help you create space, have patience, and be ready to utilize your quickness to attack any gaps in the defense on your way to finishing.
Offensive Threat 3
If you’re looking to post triple-doubles, this may be a build for you. With the Sharpshooting and Playmaking abilities, your strengths will lie in taking high-percentage shots and facilitating the ball to your open playmakers. Much like before, the OT3 build will be among the fastest players on the court.
Use that to your advantage and find open spaces in the offensive zone when you don’t have the ball, where the call for pass button will be your best friend. Either take your open shots, or quickly pass the ball to overreacting defenders.
Playmaking Shot Creator
This is a build for the flashy passers who are good at reading defenses. With Playmaking and Shot Creating as your base abilities, your PSC build will give you strengths in passing and movement. You won’t be threatening as a shooter in the offensive zone. If you’re looking to score with this build, driving to the net for open layup opportunities would be your best bet.
While driving, always watch how the defense is reacting around you; your abilities as a passer will allow you to pull off much more difficult passes than the other Point Guard builds. If someone gets wide open for a three, push it to them and get your assist.
Shooting Guard
This SM build is geared toward the shooter. With both of your abilities in the Sharpshooter category, this build will have you dominating with jumpers all over the offensive zone. Gear all of your skills and badges to improving your shooting and you could find yourself as a contender for scoring champion every season.
The downfall, like with any build geared toward offense, is with your defense. Your best bet in that area is to stay in position and stick to your man.
2-Way Sharpshooter
Your base abilities with this build are Defending and Slashing. As such, this is a good build to try and generate some turnovers in the defensive zone or while transitioning. Use your positioning to disrupt the passing lanes where you could intercept the ball, or attempt a steal while in tight on an offensive player.
Although this build refers to you as a sharpshooter, your strength in the offensive zone will be using shifty ball handling to create space and drive to the net for the finish, or get to the foul line.
Inside Out Playmaker
Just as it suggests, with this IOP build, you’ll be a threat both inside the paint and on the perimeter. While you may not be dominant from any particular spot, you’ll generate offense from most places on the court with your Sharpshooting ability, retaining the skill-set to facilitate the rest of your offense with spot-on passing and the Playmaking ability.
With this build, your primary strength will be helping your offense score points with a high number of assists and quick passes. You certainly won’t be a weak shooter, but you won’t have the skill set to negate tight coverage on your jumpers. Instead, have patience and wait for open shots to score, but your first look should be the pass.
Shot Creator
With the SC build for your Shooting Guard, you won’t be the most glamorous player on the court. Instead, you’ll be the unsung hero. This build centers on skills from your base Defending and Shot Creating abilities, which will give you an advantage locking down your opponent’s offense, while creating fast-break opportunities when transitioning and in the offensive zone.
Small Forward
Offensive Threat
A high-scoring threat with the ability to make accurate passes in tight windows. With your Sharpshooting and Playmaking abilities, this is a fairly effective offensive build. Your skills as a shooter will command respect from mid-range to beyond the three-point line. If defenses are keying on you too much, you can ease them off your back with precision passing. Look for teammates driving toward the net while you’re on the outside.
3-Level Scorer
A deadly offensive build. Your base abilities are Sharphooting and Slashing, as such, you’ll have the entire offensive zone as your playground. This build will have you slightly lacking as a passer and defender, but you’ll excel in scoring from inside the paint, mid-range, and from the three-point line.
2-Way 3-Point Facilitator 1
This versatile build takes advantage of the Defending and Sharpshooting abilities and will thrive on creating offensive opportunities from defensive turnovers. In the offensive zone, however, your strength will be mid-range to three-point jumpers; don’t expect a ton of success attacking the rim.
2-Way 3-Point Facilitator 2
Much like the previous build, your primary ability is Defending and you will benefit from skills in the defensive zone with generating blocks and steals. What makes it different is the Slashing ability. While the last build would thrive as a shooter in the offensive zone, this build would find more success driving to the rim for layup opportunities and attempting to force fouls.
2-Way Finisher
A more powerful option. This build is based on becoming a presence in the middle on both offense and defense with your abilities of Slashing and Rim Protector. Your skill-set will give you a lot of opportunities scoring inside the paint and from short-range. On the defensive side, you will excel in stonewalling players trying to drive at the net, or working inside the paint.
Power Forward
Post Facilitator
With this build, you will find yourself spending a lot of time using your body to create offensive opportunities, as your primary ability is Slashing. While you will have some success driving to the net, you’re better off using post moves and trying to impose your will using your frame.
Defending is your second ability, which will find you working down low and in the middle of the defense, trying to disrupt offensive opportunities moving toward the net.
2-Way 3-Level Scorer
This is a well-balanced build. With the abilities of Playmaking and Slashing, you will be most active in the offensive zone, but you will be formidable on defense as a two-way player. When on offense, look to establish a presence in the middle and down low while you have the ball, then use your skills as a passer to find open teammates.
Don’t be afraid to drive the net either. You’ll have success working through the defense to find open or contested layups, and you’ll probably find yourself on the foul line more often than not. Take those easy points.
Stretch Glass Cleaner
Another build that will find you down low and working in the paint. Offensively, use your Post Scoring ability to impose your will by backing down defenders and taking your opportunities below the rim. With your secondary Glass Cleaner ability you will be an asset to any team in the trenches, which gives you the skill-set to gobble up any rebounds that come your way.
Mid-Range Facilitator
This is a versatile build. Your primary ability, Defending, will give you a lot of advantages in the defensive zone, but this is the only build among the available Power Forward options that is equipped with the Sharpshooter ability. You’ll still find success down low, but don’t forget about your jump shot. This build will be deadly from mid-range.
Glass Cleaning Lockdown
This is a monster defensive build. With your abilities in Class Cleaning and Defending, you will take command of the paint in both the offensive and defensive zones. While your skills may help you become more of a presence on defense, your abilities as an elite rebounder will prove valuable on both sides of the ball and can swing momentum in your favor.
You may lack the skills as an elite finisher on offense, but you can still threaten from the post. Much like the other builds for this position, use your body to back down defenders for opportunities below the rim.
Center
Paint Beast 1
You’ll spend most of your time in the paint with this build, but you’re going to excel. Your abilities of Slashing Glass and Cleaning will give you opportunities to take over a game from inside. Use your frame to impose your will when you drive the net and your finishing skills will do the rest.
When you don’t have the ball, box out and get in position; your Cleaning ability will give you an edge on any rebound opportunities, which will provide a bevy of second-chance opportunities for you and your team when on the attack.
Paint Beast 2
A slight defensive variant of the PB build. PB 2 is just as dominant, but your strength will rely on effectively protecting the rim from anyone driving in. With the abilities of Rim Protector and Slashing, you won’t be entirely without skills on offense. Have patience and drive through open holes in the defense to finish and make the most of your Slashing skill-set.
2-Way Facilitator
A traditional well-balanced Center build. With the Post Scoring and Rim Protector abilities, you’ll be a threat on both sides of the ball. On offense, use post moves under the rim to gain position and score. On defense, your Rim Protector ability will give you opportunities to shut down anyone looking to gain a position on you in the post.
Glass Cleaning Finisher
With Slashing and Sharpshooting abilities, this build will see your Center mostly effective on offense as a scorer and rebounder. On offense, you’ll find a lot of success driving to the net and with close to mid-range jumpers. Stray away from three-point attempts; while you may hit a few, your range is inside the line.
On defense, park under the rim when the ball is in the air and look for rebound opportunities.
With this build, you retain the abilities of Sharpshooting and Glass Cleaning. Your skill set will give you elite rebounding capabilities, which is an asset on both offense and defense. What give you an element of surprise is your skills as a big-man shooter. If you spend time developing your shooting with this build, your Center will become a threat from mid-range and possibly beyond three-point range if given the opportunity.
For more guides and content, including the best players, teams, and builds in NBA 2k22, check out Best Classic Teams in NBA 2K22 and Best Overall Players in NBA 2K22, and stay tuned for more at Pro Game Guides.
