NBA 2K16 MyTeam: Diamond 06" Kobe Bryant Review

Overall: 98
HT: 6’6”
WT: 205 Lbs
Average Price: 3,500,000
Strengths: Slashing, Three-point shooting, Strong Finisher, Elite Defender
Weaknesses: 2K limits his greatness with in-game momentum

How to use effectively: The card that inspired every diamond moment card currently in the game. When “moments” cards were introduced this year, everyone first thought of the possibility of this card. Kobe is and arguably has been one of the most fun players to use in 2K for years. He is one of the players in-game that make you actually FEEL dangerous. You shoot shots while trash talking your opponent or talking to yourself, calling yourself the GOAT – “nobody can guard me with Kobe.” Well, this card is that x10.

Just by looking at his stats, there are only 2 letdowns, an 80 dunk rating (when Kobe was in his athletic prime) and an 85 post fadeaway (c’mon… it’s Kobe). However, he was gifted with every tomahawk, 360, and double clutch animation that Kobe could have, and if you slap a +9 post fadeaway shoe on him, the card suddenly has no weakness. None. The only one that could even be mentioned is the natural in-game momentum that swings every quarter when you begin to miss shots that you were previously making; yet, I digress. What surprised me the most about this card was its defensive capability. Whether you play on or off-ball, he slides laterally so quickly that nobody can get away from him. As far as him on offense, it is a pick your poison situation. Isolate P&R and abuse your opposition with Kobe’s speed and tricky dribble size-up animations. He has one back-up animation where he goes between the legs 4 times on a pullback, and from there you can shoot with more than enough space or just go for the blow by. If that doesn’t work, do what Kobe does: take your opponent down on the block and, as the great one himself once said, “wear that ass out till someone comes to help.” Assuming you watched Kobe in his heyday (which wasn’t that many years ago), you know what he specialized in. Abuse your defender in the halfcourt, either in P&R or the post, and if the game speeds up, the beauty of this card’s high three pointer lets him shine with transition threes.

Keep in mind, just because this card is dubbed the overpowered chosen one doesn’t mean you should play like it is. Don’t go out and jack up threes and drive with the hopes of finishing over a whole team. Play like Kobe, take the shots he knew he could make. Specialize in the mid-range area and abuse anyone who dares to think one person can guard him. Once you have that down, then the other facets of this card’s game opens up. Threes find him, doubles come and you dish off for easy assists, and before you know it the game is over in the third quarter. The only downside to this card is the price. If you translated how much that amount of coins would cost in actual dollars, it’s absurd. However, as mentioned in the video review, if you are a fan of Kobe Bryant and have the means to get this card – it IS worth it

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NBA 2K16 MyTeam: Diamond 06" Kobe Bryant Review

NBA 2K16 Hidden Gems For Your MyTEAM: Spencer Haywood ("73 Thunder)

HT: 6’8″   WT: 225 Lbs.    Overall: 89

Average Price: 7,000 – 12,000

Strengths: Consistent mid-range shooter, solid post game, athletic finisher

Weaknesses: Mediocre rebounder and defender

How to use effectively: Along with the solid stats all-around, the biggest plus of this card is its price. An 89 overall card, only a few stat boosts away from amethyst status – for a miniscule 10K MT. Spencer Haywood is one of the lesser known and used legends in MyTEAM, so naturally he won’t sell for much; this is just a benefit to the people who know how effective he can be if used properly.  I always compare him to Anthony Davis, as far as playstyle goes. He’s one of the few athletic big men currently in the game that isn’t a one trick pony. Runs the floor, has good dunk animations, and finishes on the break. In the halfcourt, he is a  pick and pop menace. Unlike most bigs, he has a quick and easy shot form that can be gotten off before the defense recovers. In the post, his 90 hook rating allows for easy baskets if you get a switch on the pick, and his 85 fadeaway can be surprisingly consistent with a post fadeaway shoe (boosting his fadeaway to a 94 rating). The only faults of this card are the rebounding and defensive stats – thankfully, they aren’t make or break.

One thing to keep in mind: THIS IS NOT NBA 2K15. Although he is 6’8″, his vertical rating is an 82. Vertical dictates rebounding ability more than height does this year.  But conversely, he has low rebounding stats (83 DEF, 70 OFF). Furthermore, most of his defensive stats are in the high 70s but his help defense IQ and low post defense are both an 85. So the beauty of this card’s weaknesses is that they are still counteracted by the key stats that are needed to keep up with the higher tier cards you may come across. Take the mid range shots that come to you, find him on the break, keep him involved in the offense down low, and take advantage of mis-matches on slower bigs and smaller forwards.

Avoid: Forcing finishes in traffic and getting jumpshot-happy.

Be sure to check Sports Gamers Online daily for NBA 2K16 MyTeam Tips and News. Make sure you follow me on twitter @TheSurrealAndre for more NBA 2K16 Hidden Gems!

NBA 2K16 Hidden Gems For Your MyTEAM: Spencer Haywood ("73 Thunder)

NBA 2K16 MyTeam Tips: Hidden Gems - Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady (’00 Raptors)

HT: 6’8″  WT: 210 Lbs.   Overall: 82

Average Price: 15,000 – 20,000

Strengths: Attacking the basket, Elite transition finisher, Versatility on offense, Speed Demon

Weaknesses: Less effective jumpshot than older versions, Mediocre defender

How to use effectively: Raptors Tmac is the most versatile card in the game, period. Many people haven’t noticed, but this card actually still has all the main stats of Tracy that make him so potent on offense. The only reason he is an 82 overall is because of his lowered defensive and passing stats (the only things Tracy really needed to improve on early in his career, anyway). The jumpshot, for the most part, is still there. Post fadeaway, still there. Finishing ability, better than ever. This is the youngest and most spry version of Tmac that will be in the game, with 88 speed/acceleration, 98 vertical, and a 93 driving dunk. That being said, this card IS Tmac and should be seen as nothing less. Find him on a fast break for endless highlight dunks/finishes, pull-up on people who sag off, and fadeaway in the pick and roll seamlessly. However, what pushes this card over the top is its ability to wear ANY shoe in the game; meaning you can make his stats cater to your playstyle. Do you prefer to play slower in the halfcourt? +9 Post fadeaway shoes could make you unstoppably efficient with a 93 rating. Do you prefer to run and gun? A +6 three pointer could make him a consistent threat from deep with an 85. Will you be running the P&R with him? +9 mid-range could take his fadeaway game to the next level.  Compile that with him being arguably the best dunker in the game next to Dominique at the moment, you’ve got yourself a versatile scoring monster. All I can say is: don’t sleep on this card. Moreover, if you run into someone using this card – watch out.

Avoid: Taking too many jumpshots, Forcing the offense with him (let him shine and take the shots that naturally come to him in-game).

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NBA 2K16 MyTeam Tips: Hidden Gems - Tracy McGrady