With just about everything, there is a “beginner phase” or learning curve to pass through. For the NBA 2K series, it’s no different. If you’re a “casual” looking for info on how to play NBA 2K25, here we’ve put together an NBA 2K25 Beginner’s Guide with plenty of basic and BBALL IQ tips for those new to NBA 2K and/or new to basketball. These emphasize gameplay and are mainly for online modes like the Rec / Pro-AM and Park, but they can also be applied to MyCAREER. Also, this is geared towards playing WINNING basketball.
Pass the Rock
If you’re a total rook to the NBA 2K series, your first instinct when you hop online may be to try to replicate a Kobe or Stephen Curry performance and put up 30 shots to try to score 50. That’s all fine for MyCAREER, and that’s your choice, but playing online with human teammates (as opposed to bots) definitely changes the dynamics on how to effectively win ball games. There’s only one (virtual) ball, and chances are teammates will want to get some touches and points too. Most players enjoy playing with unselfish teammates in real basketball, and that’s no different in 2K. It all depends on what your goals are — to win games or just get your stats? Those aren’t entirely mutually exclusive concepts, but keeping teammates in the mix to where everyone eats, often has the side effect of improving teammate chemistry – and getting W’s.
Space the Floor / Spread Out
Spacing spacing spacing. Think the dynasty Golden State Warriors, who had shooters all over the court and great floor spacing. This will also depend on what position you’re playing and creating a good build that has decent enough shooting so that the defense will respect your shot.
For more balance in the offense, you want to give your teammates driving lanes so they can drive and kick, take it all the way to the hoop, etc. It’s not all about you, so pay attention to where your teammates are on the court and give them room to operate. This also includes centers who clog the paint when someone is trying to drive and dunk. Read your teammates and try to adjust accordingly. Without a shooting build, you’ll have to get more creative with scoring and how to help the team, including running ‘mini-plays’ or actions (mentioned later).
Use 2K Camera Angle
Wonder why you keep running into your teammates or everyone cuts at the same time? It could be that your camera angle and your teammate(s) camera angle are polar opposites. Camera angle makes a huge difference because it’s the starting point for what your vision and perspective on the court will be. The default ‘2K Cam’ has the most advantages in 5 on 5 as far as for seeing the passing lanes, playing team defense and rotating, spacing, and movement. You can change the camera angle in Park and Rec / Pro-Am by pressing D-pad to the right.
Stop Blindly Chasing Your ‘Who to Guard’ Arrow
For basketball IRL, there are no arrows telling you where to go. Teams switch, rotate, play help defense, hedge, trap, etc. The ‘who to guard’ arrow is a visual guide / suggestion for who to guard, but isn’t meant to be blindly followed no matter what and isn’t the be-all end-all to playing effective team defense. You can turn off this indicator in the controller settings. Try to read and react to what the offense is doing – individually and as a team – and position yourself to play individual and help defense. If you see your teammate leave his man to trap or play help defense, have his back by finding the open man to guard, etc. One of the most tell-tale signs that a random is a noob, is the knee-jerk reaction of chasing the who-to-guard arrow like a golden retriever chasing a ball.
Hit The Gym & Learn the Controls
NBA 2K25 includes a tutorial modes called “Learn 2K.” This would be a good place to start to learn all the controls and basic moves. In this mode, you can also freestyle practice, play in scrimmages, and more.
Help Your Teammates
Overall, trying to make a positive impact on the court, even if it’s just boxing out a player or making the extra pass can add up and helps contribute towards your team getting the W. Set an off-ball pick, act as a decoy, move smartly without the ball, play solid defense, score, etc. If you show your value to the team by trying to get the win instead of only stats and glory, some players may notice this and trust the rock in your hands more. Need a to find a good teammate? Check out the NBA 2K Teammate Finder.
Run Plays & Actions
Here are some basic ‘mini-plays’ or actions you can try out online:
- Give and Go
- Pass the ball to a teammate, then cut to the hoop or to an open spot. Most effective vs a defender who is playing over-aggressive on-ball.
- Pick and Roll
- The “PnR” refers to a play where a players sets a screen (or pick) and then ‘rolls’ to the hoop. The main goal of this is to get the defense confused or to switch assignments so that a mismatch can be exploited.
- Pick and Pop
- The pick and pop refers to a play where 1 player sets a screen (or pick) and then ‘pops’ to 3PT line or an outside shot. This can create mismatches or have the underneath defender expecting a roll which can give room for a shot.
- Backdoor-cut
- Backdoor cut refers to when a player cuts towards the hoop, usually from the baseline. Most effective vs a defender who is playing over-aggressive off-ball.
Take Good Shots / Good Shot IQ
Working to get low contested shots is a skill in basketball and NBA 2K. Settling for bad or highly contested shots let’s the defense off the hook, so look for open shots for the best chance to score.
Icon Pass
Icon passing is a must-have to break down an over-aggressive defense and to pinpoint who you want to pass to. Press RB (Xbox) / R1 (PlayStation) to bring up the passing icons, then press the button of the corresponding player to pass to a specific player.
For Xbox:
- RB + A = Point Guard
- RB + B = Shooting Guard
- RB + X = Small Forward
- RB + Y = Power Forward
- RB + LT = Center
For PlayStation:
- R1 + X = Point Guard
- R1 + O = Shooting Guard
- R1 + Square = Small Forward
- R1 + Triangle = Power Forward
- R1 + L2 = Center
Conclusion
Virtual basketball has a multitude of real basketball traits that crossover. There are many methods to improving your skillset, basketball IQ, mechanics, etc. We hope these MyPLAYER gameplay tips help you get better at NBA 2K25, and ultimately get W’s online!
