Image via Complex Original
There’s really no trick to making a good starting lineup when playing MyGM mode with a fantasy draft in NBA 2K14(or Association mode if you’re talking about last-gen). With your first pick, you choose a player to build around and then you fill in each position on the floor with secondary and then complementary players. Once you hit the bench, you can either try to build through the draft or just pick the highest rated players available in hopes of rolling them for someone better once you get into the mode proper.
Where the true art comes in is signing free agents. If you play a non-fantasy version of MyGM, you’ll find there are plenty of players in the mid- and even high-70s to be signed while guys with overall ratings in the 60s are signed to multi-year deals. There’s a reason for this: A lot of those guys with ratings in the 60s are more useful than some with higher base ratings. A fantasy draft MyGM mode is your chance to sign some of those guys, and you’ll be surprised at how much they can bring.
Here, then, are the best free agent pickups likely to be available to you in MyGM or Association mode after a fantasy draft at every position: 3 point guards, 5 shooting guards, 6 small forwards, 5 power forwards and 7 centers . Keep in mind that with roster updates, ratings of individual skills are likely to fluctuate over the season, so take any actual numbers here with a grain of salt.
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26. Mickell Gladness
Overall Rating: 59
Yes he has a name that should make you happy just to say it, but Mickell Gladness is kind of a weirdo at the center position. With Speed and Quickness in the mid-60s and a portfolio of layup-related ratings (step-through, Eurostep, etc.) that are all rated in the 60s and 70s where most centers are in the 50s, Gladness has just enough in a bunch of places that should strangely allow him to beat a lot of big men off the dribble. Can it work? The thing is, you'll need to put in some special plays for him to get the ball away from the basket in a position where he can put some of these skills into play. Basically, he's not going to work for every player, nor will every player find him useful. But he's a low-enough risk that he might just pay off big.
25. Hamed Haddadi
Overall Rating: 59
In the name of basketball, if you decide to offer Hamed Haddadi a job on your team and he ever has the ball in his hands on offense, please ... PLEASE ... have him give it to someone else. If you don't, you are likely looking at an airballed dunk. This has actually happened. But you know what you CANNOT mess with? Offensive rebounding and Block ratings as close to 100 as you can get and Defensive rebounding at the upper limit of the 80s. The man's size (7-2) is undeniable. Stick him in the middle if you want people not to score, including Hamed Haddadi.
24. Kyle O'Quinn
Overall Rating: 61
There's absolutely nothing remarkable about Kyle O'Quinn, except for being tied with Dennis Schroeder for the lead in NBA Dudes Whose Names Make Them Seem Like They Should Be White European Guys. But while Schroeder actually is German, O'Quinn is from New York and loves rebounding like Irishmen named Kyle O'Quinn probably love things like Guinness and Jameson. The bottom line is you go and get O'Quinn to fill a need for boards, and he will go and get them.
23. Greg Stiemsma
Overall Rating: 62
Your basic swat merchant, Greg Stiemsma combines that affinity for sending shots back not with rebounding (where he's only average for a big man) but with midrange shooting. Rated in the low 80s in close shooting and the high 70s from midrange, Stiemsma will actually knock down open jumpers with regularity, especially off of pick and pops that originate around the elbow. Do you want to build a team around it? No, but you can survive off of it for stretches when your second unit if out there.
22. Josh Harrellson
Overall Rating: 57
Josh "Jorts" Harrellson is a mystery wrapped inside of an enigma wrapped inside of stonewashed denim. First of all, there's the "Jorts" nickname, which came from wearing snug jean shorts to a Kentucky football game. Then there's the fact that he kinda looks like the dude who plays Bones McCoy in the J.J. Abrams-helmed Star Trek films, Karl Urban. But weirdest of all is his surprisingly balanced set of good ratings, from offensive and defensive rebounding in the low 80s and high 70s to a Block rating in the mid-70s and a 3-point rating in the high 70s. And yet his overall rating languishes in the upper 50s. In a way, this makes him a very, very poor man's Kevin Love, and you can almost use him as such, so long as you can understand his limitations.
21. Matt Bonner
Overall Rating: 58
If you sign Matt Bonner to your team, you're only interested in one thing: redheads. No wait: New Balance sneakers. No: sandwiches. Hold up: 3-pointers. Yes, it's 3-pointers if we're talking about NBA 2K14, but it's worth noting that when you're signing a deep bench big man, you might be doing it for reasons beyond specific skill: maybe you just dig his swag. And Matt Bonner, who has a blog about eating sandwiches called "Sandwich Hunter," is just a fun player to have around. He loves his New Balance sneakers so much he begged for new ones on Twitter when he got down to his last two pairs. So yes, go get him because 3-point shooting in the mid-80s is useful, but keep him because who doesn't love the Red Mamba?
20. Andris Biedrins
Overall Rating: 63
There's a reason why Andris Biedrins' $9 million salary was a giant albatross the Golden State Warriors were so very eager to unload on the Utah Jazz (along with Richard Jefferson's deal) this year: after a promising 2007 season that netted him that handsome payday, Biedrins has basically imploded. His shooting ratings are laughable (50, 35, and 25 from close, mid- and long range, plus a 30 in free throw shooting) and he WILL ruin you in late-game free throw shooting situations. But listen: he boasts a NINETY-NINE in Block to go along with a respectable mid-70s rating in Offensive Rebounding and a rock solid low-90s rating in Defensive Rebounding. Basically, sign him for peanuts and then put him in when you need a big body to gobble glass and send shots away. Just don't ever give him the ball on offense and you should be cool.
19. Troy Murphy
Overall Rating: 66
Troy Murphy used to be even more diesel a couple years ago when his terrific shooting came along with really strong rebounding, but nowadays the story is mostly his solid mid- and long range shooting (high 70s and low 80s, respectively). Sadly, he still looks like Karl Hungus from "The Big Lebowski" ("We want the money, Lebowski!"), but he'll provide quality minutes off the bench knocking down open shots off of pick-and-pops. At 33, he's also at that perfect age for picking up for a year on the cheap and then letting go of without regret.
18. Channing Frye
Overall Rating: 67
Deep bench big men basically come in two varieties: rebounding/defensive and stretch. Frye falls firmly into the latter category and can work as a good change of pace in the frontcourt, especially if your starter is a workhorse down low or if your matchup is a post defender. Frye is smart enough to pop out whenever possible to get the kind of open long-range jumpers he'll drain thanks to his low 80s ratings in both Medium and 3-point shooting. That high Medium shooting rating is actually pretty essential as some bigs with good 3-point ratings are sunk by less-than-stellar midrange shooting -- often, what looks like a 3-pointer will turn out to be a long two, and that can be trouble. But Frye holds it down either way and can also be a stretch 4 when necessary.
17. Jeremy Evans
Overall Rating: 60
Is your team in need of a rim protector down low and some sweet dunks on the other end? Like a lot of players who can't stick with NBA teams (see also, Johnson, Chris), Jeremy Evans is a hyper-athletic tall guy who is good for big blocks and big slams and not a lot else. His 98 Block rating and Eraser signature skill means he will stop a lot of shots and his mid-80s Offensive Rebounding and Highlight Film signature skill means he'll get a lot of putback slams and even do some damage finishing on the break. Just don't expect a whole heck of a lot in any other area and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
16. Reggie Evans
Overall Rating: 66
Reggie Evans is real annoying and mega-undersized, but there's a reason he sports every nasty signature skill or badge the game has (Tenacious Rebounder, Scrapper, Bruiser and Enforcer). He's easily the best pure rebounder in the game and you can always put him in to get boards for you. Just don't expect anything else. He's singularly bad at pick and rolls for some reason and if he ever shoots, just cover your eyes and pray his astronomical rebounding helps him get his own miss so he can give it to someone else.
15. John Henson
Overall Rating: 65
There's no earthly reason for John Henson to be rated in the mid-60s by NBA 2K14. He's the Milwaukee Bucks' starting power forward and boasts sterling defensive acumen with a Block rating in the very high 80s and rebounding ratings in the high and mid-90s. Throw in the Tenacious Rebounder signature skill and you've got a guy who will sit in the lane and eat glass all game every game. He's also happily active on offense with the hops to finish at the rim in the pick and roll game or off putbacks.
14. Rodney Carney
Overall Rating: 61
Of weird bench options, Rodney Carney is certainly one of the oddest. Put him in the game and run regular old plays for him and you will be completely underwhelmed by his shotmaking and pretty much everything else. But if you crank up the fast break slider, you might be surprised: with both Speed and Quickness ratings in the mid-90s, Carney is one of the fastest players in the game, plus features a dunk rating in the high 80s. This means if you can get him out on the break that he will absolutely FLY down the court and finish.
13. Steve Novak
Overall Rating: 53
Steve Novak is the worst; Steve Novak is the best. His overall rating in the low 50s is so appallingly bad that there's little reason to rush out and get him -- he'll always be there, waiting patiently for you. But if you suddenly find yourself in need of shooting from distance, he's ready. Everything else about him is so godawful that he's barely worth it and will struggle to win playing time over virtually any other player here, but there is a secret bonus: when he makes 3-pointers, he will occasionally do the "Discount Double-Check" move, which might (MIGHT) be worth the price of admission.
12. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Overall Rating: 60
On the surface, there's nothing the wunderkind who's been dubbed the Greek Freak does especially well. He's in the low 60s in terms of overall rating and has middling numbers generally. But nor is he particularly weak in any area and for some reason, he just seems to play over his head -- and incidentally, at 6-9, that's pretty high. Once you get accustomed to his criminally late release (you should almost be letting it go on the way down), you'll hit open 3-pointers with him more often than not in spite of his 3-point rating in the mid-60s. His development curve is bound to be affected by things like head coach and assistant coach ratings and signature skills, but man: snatch this guy out of the free agent pool and give him minutes. You won't be disappointed.
11. James Johnson
Overall Rating: 66
Need a defensive stopper on the wing? James Johnson just might be your man. Combining a Block rating in the upper 80s with a Steal rating in the upper 70s and the Active Hands signature skill, Johnson is not going to set anyone's hair on fire on offense, but he will provide you with stout defense and create some turnovers that can turn into easy points. As with Korver, it's conceivable you could start Johnson for his defense and hold a more widely talented small forward in reserve to help the bench.
10. Chris Copeland
Overall Rating: 65
You're going to laugh, but when we're talking about virtual hoops teams, you want a group of guys who feel cool, right? And Chris Copeland feels cool with his dreads tied back and his tall socks. He's a guy you feel fine about pointing to the bench for because he's not some generic dude. His 3-point shooting in the mid-80s and Catch and Shoot signature skill is obviously the story here, but at 6-8 his size helps on defense (where it can offset not-great ratings) and his release is smooth and easy.
9. Kyle Korver
Overall Rating: 64
With an overall rating in the mid-60s, Kyle Korver can officially be categorized as criminally underrated in NBA 2K14. I mean, the guy has hit a 3-pointer in ONE HUNDRED STRAIGHT GAMES and is making $5 million with the Hawks this season while you can have him for something like a fifth of that. His 3-point rating in the low 90s is probably even on the low side, is what I'm saying, and his Corner Specialist signature skill just seals the deal. His length also makes him reasonable as a defender. You could probably just start Korver and bring a higher-rated SF off the bench for punch in the second unit.
8. Quinton Ross
Overall Rating: 62
For a change of pace from the wealth of offensive options you have at the shooting guard position, consider Quinton Ross. With an On-Ball Defense rating in the mid-80s and a Defensive Awareness in the high 70s, Ross is a perfect guy to pick up when you just want to be able to throw a wing into the game who will deal with a decent opposing shooting guard without you having to worry too much about it. Generally speaking, it's far easier to quarterback the defense from the power forward or center position while the CPU handles the perimeter, and Ross is a guy who will hold it down and let you focus on blocks and rebounds down low.
7. Josh Selby
Overall Rating: 65
Josh Selby is undersized for the shooting guard position at 6-2, but there's a reason he dominated the Las Vegas Summer League in 2012, winning MVP honors. In a wide-open game, he's kind of amazing. 3-point shooting in the low 80s, Layup in the mid-80s, Dunk in the high 80s, Handle in the low 80s and Speed in the low 90s means if you can get him out on the break he's near unstoppable, a threat to pull-up and drain the long ball or take it all the way to the rim and finish emphatically. He's more or less built for video games: you can control him on defense and mitigate his problems there while running down the other team's throat with him on offense. He'll even do spot duty as a point guard in a pinch. His player model looks a little weird and plastic-y (probably because the developers rightly guessed he's not hugely important), but if you can get past that, he's a genuinely nice asset.
6. Marco Bellinelli
Overall Rating: 66
Like Webster, Marco Bellinelli is a huge asset as a shooter (3-point shooting in the mid-80s), but he can also do some work at point guard for you, if need be. His Pass rating is only in the mid-50s, but that's actually decent enough in this game, where Pass rating only seems to really matter if it's super-high or in the basement. A good sequence with Bellinelli will involve him bringing the ball upcourt, dropping it off into the high post, then curling through the paint and back out to get an open midrange or 3-point jumper. His release is a little slower than you might naturally think, but once you get it, it's butter. Plus, he kind of looks like Jean Reno, aka Léon the Professional.
5. Martell Webster
Overall Rating: 68
As one of the best 3-point shooters you can pick up out of free agency (his rating is in the upper 80s), Webster is a no-brainer pickup if you want some instant offense out of your bench. Tack on Corner Specialist and Catch and Shoot signature skills, and Webster is a terrific guy to run simple sets with -- perfect for bench units without dynamic scorers. Just try running "2 Double" (it's in several playbooks, including the 76ers') with him and watch the magic unfold.
4. Reggie Bullock
Overall Rating: 64
A short list of things Reggie Bullock has going for him: size, a 3-point shooting rating in the low 80s, a quick release, a pretty sweet mohawk. At 6-7, he's a big shooting guard or a reasonably-sized small forward and can fill either role in spots off the bench for you right away. His 3-point rating makes him a natural in drive-and-kick offenses or coming off down screens in floppy sets. His release is fast, although it takes a little getting used to and is very, very flat, which is unusual. And then that mohawk: basically, he's going to look good off the bench for you, which is about nine-tenths of the battle.
3. Shaun Livingston
Overall Rating: 62
Height, height, height: that's what Livingston has going for him. At 6-7, Livingston is one of the tallest point guards in the game and this can make him a matchup nightmare, especially when you use him in a physical way. He has a Close Shooting rating in the low 90s, plus an 80 Layup rating, meaning he can get to the rim and finish, especially against smaller guards. Just don't expect to hit many jumpers with him and you should be good.
2. Pablo Prigioni
Overall Rating: 67
Prigioni is a solid-enough passer whose greatest skill in NBA 2K14 is as a defender and spot-up 3-point shooter. With an mid-80s Steal rating and the Interceptor signature skill, Prigioni is a great bench option as a guy who will keep the other team honest while your starting PG gets a breather. His high 80s 3-point shooting can also be a weapon, although he's not great off the dribble with it. Best to start the play with him and then look for him open on the perimeter after you've gotten into your action. At 36, he's also not likely to stick around too long, paving the way for younger backups to be drafted or traded for down the line.
1. Nick Calathes
Overall Rating: 63
Players you're going to be bringing off the bench should ideally do one thing and do it extremely well. While your starting lineup should provide a balance of options, your bench unit is likely going to have one guy who can score, one guy who can rebound, one guy who can defend, and one guy who can distribute. Calathes can be that last guy for you. His Pass rating in the low 80s dovetails neatly with his Flashy Passer and Pick & Roll Maestro signature skills to create a player who's both fun and effective to use off the bench. His midrange game is even decent if he gets open looks.