Perhaps the most fatal flaw seen in MyPlayer builds inNBA 2K24is the lack of investment in defense. Half of the game is spent on defense; those who don’t have decent attribute scores in defense and rebounding will ultimately get torched on that side of the ball for the entire game.
Online players sniff this out quickly and so does the AI. It’s much better to be all in on defense and then hope to get lucky on offense. Thankfully,NBA 2K24allows players to be well-rounded on offense and defense. Target a few defensive badges and be something special on both ends of the floor.
Hall of Fame Requirements
Anchor
Increases a player’s ability to block shots and protect the rim at a high level.
61 Interior Defense and 77 Block
72 Interior Defense and 87 Block
77 Interior Defense and 92 Block
85 Interior Defense and 99 Block
Post Lockdown
Strengthens a player’s ability to effectively defend moves in the post, with an increased chance of stripping the opponent.
74 Interior Defense and 70 Strength
82 Interior Defense and 78 Strength
88 Interior Defense and 84 Strength
96 Interior Defense and 89 Strength
Fast Feet
Sees up launches and cuts defensively to assist in staying in front of a ball handler.
72 Perimeter Defense and 70 Acceleration
83 Perimeter Defense and 73 Acceleration
92 Perimeter Defense and 77 Acceleration
97 Perimeter Defense and 82 Acceleration
Pick Dodger
Improves a player’s ability to navigate through and around screens on defense. All the Hall of Fame level, can blow up screens in the park or blacktop.
94 Perimeter Defense
Clamps
Defenders are more successful when bumping or hip riding the hall handler.
75 Perimeter Defense and 45 Strength
785 Perimeter Defense and 50 Strength
93 Perimeter Defense and 55 Strength
99 Perimeter Defense and 60 Strength
Off-Ball Pest
Makes players more difficult to get past when playing off-ball, as they can grab and hold their matchup and don’t get their ankles broken as often.
90 Perimeter Defense
Boxout Beast
Improves a player’s ability to box out and fight for good rebounding position.
70 Strength, and 59 Offensive Rebound or 60 Defensive Rebound
72 Strength, and 77 Offensive Rebound or 77 Defensive Rebound
84 Strength, and 85 Offensive Rebound or 85 Defensive Rebound
90 Strength, and 93 Offensive Rebound or 93 Defensive Rebound
Rebound Chaser
Improves a player’s ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal.
60 Offensive Rebound or 60 Defensive Rebound
83 Offensive Rebound or 83 Defensive Rebound
92 Offensive Rebound or 92 Defensive Rebound
99 Offensive Rebound or 99 Defensive Rebound
It’s worth noting that stealing badges didn’t quite make the list this year. Even against the worst ball handlers and using the precision controls, the odds of stealing are horrendous. It’s not impossible and when the easiest difficulty is activated it can happen frequently but these just generally aren’t very successful in most modes this year. Thebest point guard buildcan potentially invest in these.
The badges are the icing on the cake but the cake itself is understandinghow to defend. Being in place and aggressive is where it starts. Navigate screens and communicate switches since the pick and roll tactic still dominates at the higher levels of play.
NBA 2K24is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
