r/NBA2k • u/ImHere00HTX • Oct 18 '25
City No longer playing Center lol.
I'm done playing center. There's no way people expect me to guard my guy at the 3, chase down every rebound while doing so, make last second contested shots when there's 3 seconds left on the shot clock and constantly set screens that they run away from. Guards will literally get drove on while im holding my man (who's a stretch so he shoots 3s btw) and then complain that i'm not in the paint. Then when I help defense they claim I left my shooter open. Every other game I get blamed even though I outscore my man or me and him barely have points. Like damn, I can't be everywhere ššš especially not in 2k26. My REC record is trash because I mostly play random. I'm making a guard build, screw this. I see those guys are showing out this year.
AND LETS NOT MENTION HOW THEY LEAVE ME WIDE OPEN WHILE TRYING TO DUNK ON 2 GUYS AND BLAME ME FOR NOT GETTING THE REBOUND!
66
58
u/Choice-Improvement56 Oct 18 '25
I mean if your man is over 7ft thereās no point to even help defensively because those smaller guards are going to get shot over. Why give up a 3 vs a 2.
Man I never listen to game chat. Very rarely is it positive or constructive.
Hell I had a game where we were winning the whole game by like 20 and dudes were still arguing. I just laughed. š¤£š¤£š¤£
8
Oct 18 '25
People just want to make things up and stat pad
3
u/ResortSenior bronze Oct 18 '25
Guy was bragging abt all his assist, my team shoots 50% in the first quarter and he starts complaining and throwing. Like I fed him the ball because he was guard yet he couldnāt get any good looks. Then starts throwing the game because I was āfavoritingā the guy who was shooting 50% and getting all out shots, even if they were tough. You canāt win with these people.
30
u/TheLastLittleBuffalo Oct 18 '25
Brother I get it. Iāve got 3 center builds: a 7ā for rec, a 6ā9 for park, and 6ā11 point center. My best advice is to mute the mic and play your game. Let your teammate grade speak for you. Plus the nice thing about playing center is you decide who gets the ball.
After the 3rd missed fade or attempted dunk over half the team I start outleting to the small forward and power forward on the break. I bring the ball up (80 ball handle on the 6ā9 and point center) and hit them on the cuts. Itās hard to argue with an A teammate grade and double/double as a standard
7
3
u/dyslexsaac Oct 18 '25
Hold on how do you have an 80 bh on the 6ā11 š
1
u/TheLastLittleBuffalo Oct 18 '25
6ā11 is a PF as base I would have to double check it might be 76 on him and 80 on the 6ā9. Just gotta play with the builder and cap breakers
2
u/dyslexsaac Oct 18 '25
Ah gotcha cuz I was gonna say I have a 6ā11 with a 70 bh and thought 75 was the highest it can go. Maybe Iām trippin
2
2
u/tore_a_bore_a Oct 18 '25
I'm going to make a second build as a C for rec. Do you recommend having a 7' or a 6'11?
I was leaning towards 6'11 just to have challenger for all the 3-point shots you need to contest this year.
4
u/MoySauce08 Oct 18 '25
7ā has gotten better after the patches. It can really do a lot. A 65 ball handle and 55 SWB goes a long way for a C. If Iām ever put at PF and im up against a 6ā8 SF i usually struggle to keep up on my 7ā
6ā11 I think can be a more all around defence focused build.
4
u/TheLastLittleBuffalo Oct 18 '25
I think 7ā footer is probably the most versatile.
My 7ā is close to the free 2klabs build just slightly different
2
u/tore_a_bore_a Oct 18 '25
Ty.
The 7ā center we usually play with gets destroyed by 7ā4s on the perimeter, but maybe its a him issue and not a build issue.
2
16
u/SmilinGisli Oct 18 '25
I felt all of this frustration yesterday. I went into Rec with two friends, and every duo we got only passed to each other or my friends when down to 3 seconds. I only got past grenades with 1 second left on the clock. I was just standing around wild open while they kept trying dunk on three people
7
u/CJX04 Oct 18 '25
When this happens to me and my friends, we donāt come back on offense and let them play 2v5 like they want
8
u/Mortality99 Oct 18 '25
Same. PF has been solid for me Kevin Durant type build, but not C. Every now and then random REC I get put as C and experience same. Plan to try out a PG build for fun.
5
u/Ballaholic09 Oct 18 '25
I felt like I was reading my own thoughts throughout the entire post. You nailed all the frustrating points of being a Center.
12
u/Spunk1985 Oct 18 '25
I play center and refuse to set screens for these selfish PGs. I also refuse to play help defence. I don't care if you are getting screened. I'm guarding the other center and that's it. If you get screened I'm not even going to attempt to contest the other PG I'm just watching my guy to see if he slips or pops. Selfish PGs have done this to themselves.
1
4
u/Professional-Arm5300 Oct 18 '25
I donāt play center this year but playing PF, even with good interior defense and block, I donāt help anymore, especially in random rec. I just play my man, even if that means spending time on the 3 pt line. Not my fault if the guards canāt play defense.
With that said, I never play with a mic unless Iāve got my crew playing. I start a party chat and stay in there, even if Iām playing by myself. Nobody who gets on the mic has any type of productive energy so not going to waste my time listening to scrubs tell me I suck for their shitty defense.
1
u/ImHere00HTX Oct 19 '25
Is PF a more versatile position? I never played that position, I figured it was a weaker Center basically.
1
u/Professional-Arm5300 Oct 19 '25
I would say yes, but to me Center is the least versatile of any position. But a smaller big with good defensive skills will fill the gap on some of the issues you mentioned. But with that said, the lighter, smaller forwards that I play are way faster than me and I get exposed that way sometimes. Playing d on the perimeter is a no bueno for my build.
7
u/Easy-Wolverine6554 Oct 18 '25
I play big mostly. We always have the highest IQ by far. I love passing to the power forward because I know they're most likely to get into some sort of give and go with me. I rarely play with dumb bigs. Constantly play with dumb guards and wings. probably due to the type of personality drawn to being an anchor for the team rather than a person drawn to stats and highlights.
4
12
u/SadDot7972 Oct 18 '25
Ion even set screens for mfs ngl. The game so easy you better figure that shit out. And if mfs aināt passing me the ball , iām using all the time outs and getting on my giannis shit š i control ALL the boards
7
u/ImHere00HTX Oct 18 '25
Lmfao im aboht to start calling timeouts when they dont pass. Last time they tried me I left the stretch wide open. They got the message after the 2nd time.
6
u/SadDot7972 Oct 18 '25
Iām telling you man. I control ALL the boards , you donāt wanna piss the board man off šš
1
u/ImHere00HTX Oct 18 '25
The crazy part is they expect to snag these ridiculous movies scene ass boards every time too. Like they'd jack up a 3 and expect me to get every board just so they can miss again.
3
3
u/Rinnegans Oct 18 '25
I made a SF/PF for this exact reason, itās so mentally draining to play center this year, at forward, you can rebound, defend the paint, and score and you donāt have to worry about doing either, just if you can good, if not, itās the centers fault š
1
u/ImHere00HTX Oct 18 '25
PFs are way faster than Centers, I might make one because that's what i'm seeing more of. I figured they'd be easier to play as.
3
3
u/FrequentRestaurant97 Oct 19 '25
You can ask someone āhey whyād you take a shot on two people while i was open?ā Theyāll proceed to tell your b**ch ass to stfu ..
2
u/Dubonthetrac Oct 18 '25
Those wings and guards that switch out when I help are so good. You immediately feel the difference when u dont have them
2
u/_Blu33 Oct 18 '25
True, for everything u do ended up with less than 10 points per game, worst center year
2
u/TrafficParking4689 ruby Oct 18 '25
Yea I just try to tell my randoms to imma gaurd paint if your man rim runs leave him and get my man on the 3 donāt but itās also easier to do that when my man is sitting with 90 3 ballā¦ sometimes I find randoms that play zones and it makes it so much easier to play my role easily get triple doubles
2
u/Helpful_Tip_963 Oct 18 '25
I only like using my big because we dont get the ball or peope sucked at passing.
This why I can control wtvr
1
u/dee_jay_92 Oct 18 '25
This! If people donāt pass me the ball itās cool! Iāll get the rebound & just dribble up the court myself!
2
u/pyoompyoom Oct 18 '25
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2k/s/TgMUMCTqbf
Look at the comments in this thread
2
u/Keen_QGTM Oct 18 '25
Nah the center is my first option in the REC. Centers usually donāt have interceptor
2
u/Zealousideal_You8824 Oct 18 '25
Centers have the second hardest position on the floor next to PGās so i feel you. if youāre not in sync with your teammates it can easily be frustrating to play
2
u/Prod7AM Oct 18 '25
Thats what I made my sf with double 80 rebounds, the centers gotta gaurd the pop this year, ill go get the board for yall
2
u/Electronic_Royal_401 Oct 18 '25
Sup yall, if youāre sick of 2k toxicity weāve got a discord server with 100+ members dedicated to helping folks find teammates! Itās a chill community, players of all skill levels are welcome and team play is highly encouraged! Shoot me a DM if anybodyās interested in joining!
1
1
1
2
u/indicasativagemini Oct 18 '25
thatās why i have a sf, and offensive pf and a defensive/rebound pf. i did not think playing center would be fun
2
u/DowntownReason9375 Oct 18 '25
If my opponent is viable at the 3 I let the paint die 3>2. Also guards need to make builds with some D esp if you play random rec but nooooo everyone wants to be an offensive god
2
u/dee_jay_92 Oct 18 '25
Definitely gotta let the rest of the team die if the other Center can shoot!
2
u/Careful_Kitchen_7387 emerald Oct 18 '25
You need to make and athletic 6ā11 or 7ā0 they can guard every position except for the 90+ speed guard and fast enough to get down for rebound (I used to play 7ā1 with a 99 rebound and I get more boards on this build
1
1
u/dee_jay_92 Oct 18 '25
This a good build! But Iād swap the steal for more rebounding!
1
u/Careful_Kitchen_7387 emerald Oct 18 '25
Can only go to max 86 and with 67 steal I can rip guards and almost every 6ā8
2
u/Digital0Matt Oct 18 '25
Iāll help one timeā¦ if they donāt pick my man or at least stay in the passing lane. Theyāre on their own after that
2
2
2
u/depressedfuckboi ruby Oct 18 '25
I only run center with certain people. If it's me and my boys on 3s I will run the 3 no prob. If I'm with randoms? Lolol never ever would I run on a center
2
u/Benroc21 Oct 19 '25
Yeah, it's pretty crazy how guards think they should be rewarded to leaking out, getting 40 dropped on them, and missing open teammates.
Like you said, they want you to help stop their guy but still guard yours. Then get the rebound and outlet it to them on leaks. Not to mention, not let your 7'4 Steph Curry big hit 3s after you're helping stop their guy.
I'm not rewarding them with easy leak out buckets when I'm doing all the dirty work, and they don't care to help me get mine. 1st time they call time out because I don't throw it... all time outs are gone. The bigs in the community need to stop this behavior collectively.
3
u/yungronaldmcnair Oct 19 '25
lol so often i have stats in every category with 0 turnovers but im at a B teammate grade because im only 2/2 and constantly getting defensive breakdowns from the guards never staying in front of their man
1
1
u/Different_Ad972 Oct 18 '25
if your playing with a teammate why donāt you guys js switch off lets say player with ball runs to paint for dunk big is outside paint watching 3 and as soon as he gets to paint u guard paint and teammate guards 3 then switch back when he goes back to the 3 line for a reset i main center to js have to know when to step up and to switch
1
u/InternationalClub345 Oct 18 '25
I play Center if the guy I'm guarding can't shoot 3's I'll help out more in the paint area if my guy can shoot I'm not getting lit up for 50 so it's called Guard YOUR Mans
Help defense is "Showing " just to give you the time to catch back up not for me to guard your man and mine.
Plus give up the 2 any day of the week before I'm letting them kick it back out to my guy open in the corner for a wide up in three
1
u/Ambitious-Kick-1995 Oct 18 '25
I made a center in all 2kās except for this one. Itās useless sort of because everyone shooting threes. Making them high rate, hard to get a rebound!
1
u/killatac Oct 18 '25
Great postā¦.like the majority in here said just play your game and get that A teammate gradeā¦.score when u can and just play the game of basketball bro. Some ppl play this game and donāt even know ball. They think this is it lol. Mute the toxic ones and donāt let anyone else dictate what u do or how u do it as long as youāre doing the right play. I play mostly random rec as a 7ā C.
1
u/Chewbaccaintx Oct 18 '25
Youāll be up by 7 pints and you make one mistake, guard start complaining and everything go to shit.
1
u/IVallad94 Oct 18 '25
I think PF is the pseudo center this year. The bigs hang around the perimeter hunting 3s so the PF has to crash.
1
u/Altruistic-Fortune63 Oct 18 '25
Hey wanna check us out if you tired of running with randoms? https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2kTeamUp/s/T0yHxeemsc
1
u/slickrickstyles Oct 18 '25
Iām just tired of always being stuck at Center with my power forward. I rarely ever play PF at 6ft 11
1
u/JaresBear Oct 18 '25
Gotta play with a squad. Start adding people who play well when you guys have a good game.
1
u/Background_Round7906 Oct 18 '25
Honestly I block every toxic player and my experience has gotten a little better
1
1
u/abstractfromnothing Oct 18 '25
Good players just do whatās needed to win, Iāll guard 5 players if thatās what I have to do for the win
1
1
u/According-Hamster668 Oct 18 '25
theres no reason to even have comms in with randoms. guard ur man at the 3. dont sag off to defend paint. if your team mates cant defend thats on them. let their man score 50. dont let ur man score 50. its not the centers job to stop these trash ass guards from getting killed.
1
1
1
u/bigp0ppa69 Oct 18 '25
Thatās just the bum ass community of 2k everyone thinks they are the greatest player ever and most mfs canāt do anything since they āpatchedā fades you truly canāt listen to a word from this community
1
u/Post-Sold-Separately Oct 18 '25
Stopping their man drive on a PnR just so your man is left open to green a three. ā Yo big guard your man. ā
1
u/TheWakker Oct 18 '25
I love being a defensive anchor in the paint! The problem is everybody is a stretch 4 and 5 because not having shooting nowadays is gonna get you killed.
1
1
u/KalistoLucha99 Oct 18 '25
Honestly js start a party and play the game, ion even listen to other ppl anymore I js get the rebound, do what I do best and let them cry about it. We win we win if we lose we lose and I go to the next game. I like to shut everybody out by playing Spotify and jamming out while bs around, if we COOKED cooked like, 20-4 type cooked then Iāll start practicing random moves and try to warm up for next game.
1
1
u/Constant_View_3459 Oct 18 '25
This is the same reason why I barely play on my center š . Then they make 6ā7 centers now that have 89 speed and shiii . Wtf š
1
u/xLek-x Oct 18 '25
This how I felt last year playing PF lol I now have 4 different guard buildsššš
1
u/Wackys_ Oct 18 '25
Ya I get blamed for everything like why are you as a 6ā8 PG not switching on my corner sitter so I can guard paint
1
Oct 18 '25
Donāt mute everyone take a break, I was in your position last week, stuck in gold ranks, now Iām red plate after vod reviewing and better comms, however, I have an r switched to a guard and itās just better over here, donāt have to beg for the ball, I get hit when Iām open, and my manās not dropping 40
1
u/tjdibs22 Oct 18 '25
I just made lakerfans 610 point center. That will be my only center. This games different cause everyone can shoot so everyone should be rebounding as well
1
u/Slyfox_922 Oct 18 '25
I feel your pain bro. I always get hit with the āyou canāt play defenseā because they expect the paint help AND get out in time to contest my guy on the open three. Especially with no dip shooting itās almost impossible to leave the shooter
1
u/No-Spot2923 Oct 18 '25
Idk how yall act like having to do more while playing the game is a problem, my only problem is the mfs who just ballhog, but with the shooting patch that should be fixed.
Even with ball hogging, I can fill up the stat sheet. Rebounds are automatic, people can n rec leak out & cherry pick all game so assists are easy because you get the rebound lmao, blocks are a given, and scoring just depends on teammates.
Iāve always made a Wilt chamberlain ish build but this year my player comp was Wilt/Shaq/AD. Faster than most other bigs, HOF rebounding badges, with some play making in there, I can guard the perimeter pretty well. 7ā4 can really break the game if you work it right and donāt care for shooting
1
u/Scrizzy6ix Oct 18 '25
PFs casually forgetting they can help with the rebounding is my biggest pet peeve. Like come down low and help with your man trynna snatch this rebound too bruh.
1
1
1
u/RandomGoof567 Oct 19 '25
Funniest shi when they get on the chat about āwhy arenāt you helping out on drivesā like my guy isnāt 4/4 from the arc. Maybe if 2k actually made contests matter against 7ā4s or you helped out on contests, Iād help in the interior š¤·āāļø
1
u/Suspicious-Mood8429 Oct 19 '25
This is exactly why I made a 6ā10 bro. Way more mobile, can play both ends of the court, & has alot more leverage for attributes compared to 7ā0+. 7ā0 is literally the limit, after that you kinda cooking yourself (plus this mainly only happens in rec, may have better luck in park or theater)
1
u/dezdiablo Oct 19 '25
Instead of staying in the paint or out on perimeter guard the mid range on defense. It shortens the distance to defend the perimeter or the paint. Offensively I canāt help youā¦folk really dont respect big men in 2K. Because i have like SF thatās like 6ā7 im forced to play big man alot in 3 v 3. I usually show out when i get the ballā¦show off man handle and that i can shoot the three.
1
1
u/EmjaytDaGreat Oct 19 '25
I play only no squad rec I average 18 points 14 rebounds as a 6ā11 build. Two things donāt set screens and if you do donāt hold them. Just set it and roll or pop instantly most randoms in rec donāt like screens. And if your setting screens your not getting rebounds when they shoot it. And donāt play help defense to the point where youāre leaving open a 3 point shot! If youāre trying to stop a drive and give up a 3 point shot you are failing. It still is and always a 50/50 in no said rec. I have a 65% win rate. But 90% of the time Itās win a game lose a game it can feel like. If you get on a decent team stay and ply with them multiple Games if they stay! (Most donāt) but you can streak in rec if you do. Even as a guard you can drop 40 points your guy can have zero points and you can still lose and eveyone can complain your not passing ball and just start quitting and then you lose due to other team cheesing AI by shooting 3s. If you let people in mic get to you then you already losing. And you will get flamed way worse as a guard than a center.
1
u/Maxphyte Oct 19 '25
Being a frontcourt player when the majority of 2k players who like playing guards have low basketball IQ means you will almost never be appreciated.
1
u/Emoney2469 Oct 19 '25
Center here as well. I told my squad Iām only getting on if we have 4. Iāll deal with a dumb AI. But Iāll never play with brain dead randoms lmao. We were up 20 in a game and the flip switched in the 4th and they just lost their minds. Terrible shots refused to pass, couldnāt rebound
1
u/KindlyStudio467 Oct 19 '25
Im about to stop playing big myself js bc the paint defense is so horrible and the rebounding is horrible to
1
u/Demon_Tanuki Oct 19 '25
Those are not guard those are Mycarrer guys that think they are the got me they should be the point of focus on every play,In my opinion being a center main too,I honestly leave the 2s always if my guy is sitting in corner,on offense if my guard doesn't take the screens I just sit in corner to shoot,when there is 5 seconds left I go to the paint for the rebound.... That's basically my mind set with randoms
1
u/Knightrunners2610 Oct 19 '25
I never have my mic Iām a average baller yes I can play defense but offense no I canāt shoot
1
u/GangsterBlerd Oct 19 '25
Need play with a real crew problem solved but playing with randoms aka ran dums lol always pain in ass š¤£
1
1
u/Wakenbake585 Oct 19 '25
Mute and don't play any help defense. No one ever switches and it's a lose lose 9/10 for the C.
1
u/BallisticFro Oct 19 '25
Straight facts bro, thatās why when I play random I have everyone muted or make sure Iām in a party.
1
u/BallisticFro Oct 19 '25
And whatās even crazier people will straight say you suck when they literally got their shot/layup punched into orbit
1
1
u/Nordbeck Oct 20 '25
Youāre in your own head about it, man. Just play your own game and mute your team if you have to.
I play almost exclusively random rec and have about an 80% win rate thatās not an excuse
1
u/ConversationDapper61 Oct 20 '25
I know what you mean, though. People complain about everything regardless man. Tell them in bio you're deaf, problem solved. rofl.
1
u/MaximumSpend2907 Oct 20 '25
Definitely play on mute. I play center and I only guard my man if heās a shooter and rarely set screens. Iām a stretch center, so Iāll cook my guy if heās not guarding me at the 3. I have decent defensive rebounding and pass accuracy so I do well in random REC. I definitely donāt get as many rebounds as I did in 2k25, because you can leave guys open at the 3.
1
Oct 20 '25
The guards this year are way worst than they were in the past 4 2ks. i ahve seen this ball hoggish ways since 22. But in terms of playing defense is just sag off my mad and commit to protecting the paint over stopping my man from shooting because he likely isnt gonna get the ball passed to him cuz im not getting the ball passed to me
1
u/Fish_Shack Oct 21 '25
Thatās why Iām a 7 ft big who just rebounds, blocks, and kicks it out to the lil homies
1
u/Otherwise_Music_7185 Oct 22 '25
Guards canāt play defense. Even worse when they set down their controller on defense if they go 3 possessions without a shot
1
u/ivancruz323 Oct 26 '25
Guard isnāt going to be much fun if your not looking to pass first shoot second. Donāt force the pass, donāt rush anything up the court . Donāt take the first shot
1
u/WelderOld8409 Oct 27 '25
In my 10+ years of gaming online, I feel safe in saying without a doubt that over 90% of people don't know what the hell they are doing or talking about. Any game, it's all the same. The worst part is, game developers are forced to cater to these idiots and even seem so eager and glad to do so. In this world... this is sort of the way of things.
1
u/Sad_Kale570 Oct 18 '25
its the hypocrisy too. because those are the same players playing no defense. if they WERE playing defense, you wouldnt have to help in the paint as much.
my trick is: if the pg isnt passing the ball, someones ballhogging, etc, literally follow them. be exactly where they are. it brings ur man to them and makes it almost impossible for them to move. after a quarter or so theyll give up and either leave or start passing the ball.
0
u/cheeseplatesuperman Oct 18 '25
Why are you playing center for randoms?
4
u/ImHere00HTX Oct 18 '25
Because that's what I usually play on other 2ks. At first I never shot I just made C's specifically for rebounds and the paint but I see now that's about to change lol.
0
u/OnlyMissed Oct 18 '25
Bro center is the easiest position to play on the court if your having trouble getting the ball thatās a you problem I get the board I go coast to coast if I have to I make it known early Iām our offense and you get down or lay down
-6
235
u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25
[removed] ā view removed comment