So you want to create an NBA superstar, hey? It's not that simple: you'll need patience, stamina and, most importantly, thorough tactical planning to make it in the big leagues. NBA 2K13's 'My Career' mode (formerly My Player)gives you the opportunity to move from the rowdy college arenas to the showtime courts of the NBA, but it's no easy feat, and that's why you'll need a little guidance.
The main thing to remember about My Career is that it really is about YOUR player: you control him at all times, make all of his decisions and help shape him into a much-loved/hated superstar of the world's biggest and best professional basketball league
So what's the blueprint for making it in the NBA?
Commit To The Cause
Earning In-Game Currency
Being successful in the My Career is no easy feat: you absolutely must commit to the cause. Just like any prospective NBA player would need to commit to the team and the sport, you'll need to commit to the game that is NBA 2K13.
That's because the game's currency, Virtual Coins, is the only way to improve your player's skills. While you can choose from a number of different pre-determined player types, how your player executes on the court will be determined by the quality of their skills, further dictated by the amount of in-game currency you use on them.
Earning Virtual Coins is as easy as simply playing NBA 2K13 across all facets: you don't need to be playing My Career to earn coins. Even if you lose an Exhibition match, you'll earn currency, which has the most worth in My Player.
The best advice in this case is to enjoy NBA 2K13, play the crap out of it, and engage with the game's many different modes and offerings.
Take The Next Step
Playing On-The-Go
Currency can also be earned away from NBA 2K13 via either the Facebook app, NBA 2K: My Life, and mobile apps NBA 2K13 and MyNBA2K. Invest in these external experiences to earn even more VC when you're not able to sit down and play NBA 2K13 at home.
You'll need to make some compromises if you want prompt success in My Player, and this is one way to achieve that.
Choose Wisely
Your Player's Pre-Determined Play Type
There are a number of player types to choose from. If you're hoping to create an all-round kind of player, than choosing “natural athlete” might be the most beneficial. Alternatively you can choose “distributor” for the prospective All-Star point guard, or “post-up guy” for the future Hall Of Fame center.
It's important to consider how you play the game, and how you want to engage with your created player: are you more of a defensive kind of NBA 2K player, and do you always like to have the ball and take the big shots? Don't bother creating a post-up player if you want to control the play, because you'll only be prolonging your player's strive for success.
Each position has its pros and cons, and it's important to recognise that. While a big man might get more close-in shooting opportunities and rebounds, a ball handler will get more assists, more drives and more fast breaks. Think about how you personally want to play the game, and choose the type of player respective of that.
Play Like An All-Star
Your Draft Stock Counts
The My Career mode starts off with a bit of game time in the All-Star Rookie Challenge, a game that determines where you'll be drafted. Put in a poor performance and your player will drop down the draft...and down the bench of the team they're drafted by.
It's very important to play this game, and ALL My Career games, with aggression, patience and precision. Don't enter matches with the intention of playing similarly to how you play games in franchise mode, because your player will suffer because of it. My Career rewards you (and your player) for positive influence on the court, but punishes you for playing poorly.
If your player is a ball handler, make clear passes, don't rush the play, don't force shots and passes and don't play overly aggressive on defence by trying to steal every single ball. If you're player is a big man, perfect rebounding, work on post offense and defence, and play specific to the position.
Understanding that aggression doesn't automatically mean doing everything by yourself will help you succeed in My Player: don't force things, and play matches as close to how you'd imagine you'd need to perform in an actual game of basketball. This game does a great job of rewarding and punishing you for your actions, so keep that in mind.
Be A Pro
Be A Good Interviewee
Throughout the game your player will sit down with team general managers to discuss certain matters. This is important early on as the answers you choose in this role-playing feature will determine where you end up. If you're a touted top-5 pick, for example, and you interview poorly with the top five teams in the draft, they might not draft you.
But that might be your plan: you can choose which teams you want your player to be drafted by, and respond negatively to other team GM's so they won't pick your player.
That said, if you like your player's position it's best that you try to respond as positively as possible: in other words, tell the GM what you think they want to hear.
So, think about where you want your player to end up, what you want for them in the near future, and if you think their current situation is good for them going forward. Then, shape their responses accordingly.
Practice Makes Perfect
Hit The Gym Often
Each in-game week has three drills to complete. How you complete these drills will determine the amount of VC you earn: perform well and earn a gold, but perform poorly and you'll be punished. It's important to play these drills, and play them early so that your player can be well prepared for games throughout the week: don't leave them to the last minute, and do them <em>every single week</em>.
Don't forget: you need to commit to the cause, and practice makes perfect. Skipping practice won't do your player any good. He'll play just as he trains, and if he doesn't practice, you'll be looking towards a longer road to success, just as a real-life NBA player would if they didn't commit in practice.
Swag Means Squat
Focus On Your Game
My Career in NBA 2K13 takes player customisation to a whole new level with cool new materialistic features. However, don't get all caught up in how your player looks, because how they play is more important than how they dress.
Yes, it's cool to make your player look like the swaggiest player in the league, but it isn't going to win him a place on a Championship-winning team, or an MVP. Build up your player's skills, and then focus on how they look. Prioritise.
OK At Everything, Good At Nothing
Choose Specific Skills
When you're allotting VC to skill attributes, don't be tempted to make the all-round type of player: while it's great to have a player that's evenly good at everything, they won't be remembered for being a champion of one specific skill.
It's important here to take your player's play type into consideration. A big man doesn't need a high assist count, so don't both dumping points into passing. Focus on close-range shooting, rebounding and blocking, and hone in one specific skill that will represent your player. If he's an offensive powerhouse, take close-range shooting to a new level. If he's a defensive big man, pump most of your effort into post-up defence and/or blocking.
Nobody Likes A Show-Off
Don't Try Too Hard
This is the most important tip anyone can give you for My Player: DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING ON THE COURT. Unlike other game modes in NBA 2K13, My Career punishes you for making mistakes. You have to try very, very hard not to make a turn over or to force a shot.
It's easier said than done, understandably, but having the power of one player doesn't automatically mean you have the power on the court. Respect the AI, respect your teammates and respect the game, because playing as anything other than a team player will hurt your player going forward. Take your time, make the right plays and use the ball wisely.
Do you have any NBA 2K13 My Career tips? Share them below!