NBA 2K22: Complete Guide And Walkthrough

Table of Contents

Another year means another iteration of NBA 2K, and with the NBA returning for season number 75 this year, we should be in store for something special with NBA 2K22. With the NBA’s popularity arguably at its apex, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this year’s installment.

In the case of most games, it takes time and practice to master the skills needed to dominate on the court. Whether you’re an NBA 2K expert or a novice, this central page has a collection of highly important posts that will help take your game to the next level. We’ve compiled numerous tips, guides, and player ratings to elevate your experience with NBA 2K22.

For your convenience, click the above links to jump straight to those sections or scroll through at your leisure.

MyCareer

Arguably, the most popular mode in NBA 2K is MyCareer. Sports fans love to compare themselves to the pros, so naturally, embarking on your own journey to NBA stardom ranks at the top of the wishlist.

Fortunately, MyCareer returns with a fairly decent narrative that involves you exploring side hustles outside of basketball. Interested in developing your own fashion line or finding the next big music superstar? These side activities may seem like a strange addition to a basketball game, but diving into them can provide a nice pallet cleanser, especially after a bad losing streak on the court.

The most important part of MyCareer, though, is the build. This is a crucial aspect of the game, so luckily, NBA 2K22 will give player comparisons before you finalize your build, so you can envision how your player will translate on the court. You’ll also have the option of whether you want to attend college, sign with the G League, or declare for the NBA Draft immediately.

Each choice will have an impact on your player’s draft position and early development, so choose carefully. Once you’re officially in the league, you’ll have to sign an agent that will either prioritize your basketball skills or be open to morphing you into a global social icon.

For a complete, in-depth run-through for those looking to get started in MyCareer, check out our guide:

• NBA 2K22: The Complete Guide For MyCareer

MyTeam

Many sports fans take pleasure in collecting cards of their favorite athletes. NBA 2K’s MyTeam takes that concept and applies it literally to the court. Through collecting cards, you’re tasked with building the best possible team and lay waste to any that oppose you.

First, you’ll choose one star player to build around, and the star you choose can evolve into a higher-rated player.

After you’ve assembled your starting squad, you’ll have some options:

• Participate in various offline modes like Triple Threat or Domination to secure prizes
• Battle against the real-life competition in online modes like Unlimited or Triple Threat The 100
• If you’re not fond of the team you’ve constructed, take a shot in the Draft online mode, in which you build a new starting lineup for a limited time in the mode

Similar to MyCareer, MyTeam contains its own Seasons rewards. On top of having in-game rewards to earn, which include more card packs to build your team, you can auction off unwanted cards for currency. Card management is vital in MyTeam, as you’ll come across duplicates or lower-rated players that’ll only take up precious space. MyTeam is highly recommended for players who also enjoy the standard franchise mode.

Here’s a beginner’s guide to getting started in MyTeam:

• NBA 2K22: The Complete Guide On How To Create MyTeam

Best Players At Each Position

The most important part of playing any sports game is knowing who the best players are, and we’ve got you covered. Currently, the NBA is bursting at the seams with talent at nearly every position. Sure, guys like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are near the top at their respective positions, but the younger players in the league are vying for that spot.

For more in-depth analysis of who are the best players at each position, check out these lists:

• Point Guard
• Shooting Guard
• Small Forward
• Power Forward
• Center

All About Badges

Other than the normal player ratings, NBA 2K ranks players in four major areas. These areas directly impact a player’s ability on the court, and you improve them through Badges.

• Finishing
• Shooting
• Playmaking
• Defense

If you’re playing a normal franchise or even MyTeam, you can analyze every established NBA player’s badges to see where exactly their strengths and weaknesses lie; MyCareer is slightly different. After you’ve finished your build and outlined how your ratings would be distributed, you’ll see what your player’s max potential is before having a clean slate. You acquire badge points based on your performance in the game, as well as participating in team practices.

Although there are Badges that are clearly among the cream of the crop, it’ll ultimately depend on which position you’re playing. You wouldn’t worry about maximizing your three-point shooting with the badge Catch And Shoot if you’re a center. Some Badges affect the whole team when you’re on the court, like Defensive Leader, that should be obtained regardless of what you play, even if you aren’t the best defender. Having team success will trickle down to individual success, so don’t overlook the Badges that benefit more players than yourself.

While the badges you use will be determined by various factors, we have an overview of the best badges, more generally. You can find that here:

• NBA 2K22: The Best Badges in MyCareer

All About The W

For the first time in history, a WNBA player graces one of the covers of NBA 2K. Candace Parker of the Chicago Sky was chosen as the first WNBA player to be featured on the cover of the game, as the league celebrates year 25 in existence. Developers have continued to expand and pour more content into the WNBA side of the game with an enhanced MyCareer mode and shared WNBA scenarios from the community.

While it’s great to be able to create your own WNBA player, it’s easy to see how the women’s league gets the short end of the stick. Unlike the NBA’s version of the mode, there is no City or Neighborhood to explore, as everything you need is found on a central menu. There’s no college, no combine, or no draft with you choosing which team you want to play for. You can still explore other business endeavors that aren’t basketball, but ultimately the experience is a lesser version than the NBA. Regardless, The W presents a great inside look in the women’s game and it’s extremely recommended to check out.

Here are some guides to The W that’ll give you an overview:

• A Complete Guide To The W
• The Best Overall WNBA Players For The W

Biggest Gameplay Changes

NBA 2K22 isn’t just a glossy overcoat for NBA 2K21. There are several big changes that make gameplay even more realistic and fluid. Here are some of the major updates:

• The entire shooting mechanic was been reworked, with a new dunking meter, because even dunks aren’t always guaranteed.
• On defense, players can properly size up opposing offensive players and successfully hip check to disrupt them. In the past, referees were eager to blow the whistle whether tight defense was played, but now, a solid defense is rewarding not only with fewer foul calls but more missed shots.
• Additionally, on offense, NBA 2K22 offers a better payoff for excellent dribbling. The go-to move to create space on offense is calling for a pick-and-roll, but eventually, the defense will figure out what you’re doing and adjust.
• Players who excel in creating space on their own, like Kyrie Irving, have been boosted in the game to leave defenders in their dust.
• There are more signature dribble moves and a heightened focus on overall basketball IQ that will break plenty of ankles.

These gameplay changes force you to try and learn the fundamentals of NBA 2K22 and not simply bulldoze your way toward the basket, most likely causing turnovers in the process.

For a more in-depth look at the gameplay changes, check out our complete rundown on the gameplay changes:

• NBA 2K22: The Biggest Gameplay Changes

Online Play

Everyone wants to prove they’re the best, and luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to do just that in NBA 2K22. The game features online play in virtually any mode, it just depends on what you’re looking for:

• Standard online play with current NBA and WNBA teams
• Pro-Am (MyCareer)
• Rec (MyCareer)
• Draft (MyTeam)
• Triple Threat: The 100 (MyTeam)
• Unlimited (MyTeam)
• Limited (MyTeam)
• Play With Friends

Ultimately, NBA 2K22 offers a wide variety of modes that should appeal to any basketball fan’s liking. Of course, we’ve got a guide for you regarding online play:

• The Complete Guide To Playing NBA 2K22 Online

NBA 2K22 FAQ

Click to jump:

• Which Edition Should You Buy?
• What Are Seasons?
• Is There Cross-Progression Or Cross-Play?

Which Edition Should You Buy?

Just by being on this page, that tells us that you’re at least intrigued with jumping into NBA 2K22. If that’s the case, it’ll help to know which edition you should purchase. There are four different editions for NBA 2K22:

• Standard
• Cross-Gen Bundle
• NBA 75th Anniversary
• WNBA 25th Anniversary

This decision will largely be based on what platform you play on. If you own a next-gen console, you can eliminate the Cross-Gen Bundle and focus on either the Standard, WNBA 25th Anniversary, or NBA 75th Anniversary edition. The WNBA 25th Anniversary and Standard editions are the same, aside from a different cover athlete in Candace Parker instead of Luka Doncic. The NBA 75th Anniversary edition provides a plethora of in-game goodies that can jumpstart your NBA career.

If you don’t have a next-gen console, it gets a bit trickier. The Standard and WNBA editions do not contain a next-gen version, so if you plan on buying a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series, you’re better off purchasing either the Cross-Gen Bundle or 75th Anniversary Edition. For $20 more, you can get 100,000 Virtual Currency that you wouldn’t get in the Cross-Gen Bundle.

What are Seasons?

Seasons are to NBA 2K22 as what Battle Passes are to most online shooters. NBA2K22 will have nine total seasons that stretch from its launch date of September 2021 through August 2022. Each season will run for about 40 days and offer a plethora of basketball goodies. These free items can range from cosmetic upgrades for your player in MyCareer or card packs to help bolster your squad in MyTeam. The Seasons system was first introduced in NBA 2K21 and the developers have expanded upon the foundation.

To level up throughout the Seasons, you must complete specific Seasons missions found in either MyCareer or MyTeam. These missions will show Season Experience as a reward for completing the mission. Each Season has 40 levels to work through with a different grand prize for each of them. Unfortunately, if you are unable to reach level 40 to claim the grand prize before the Season is over, you won’t be able to receive it. The best part about Seasons is it’s entirely free to participate, as it’s included in the game, so it’s entirely up to you if you wish to dedicate time to it.

Is There Cross-Progression Or Cross-Play?

Unfortunately, there isn’t cross-play in NBA 2K22, so you won’t be able to hit up your friends on Xbox if you’re playing on PlayStation. There aren’t any plans from 2K for future cross-play integration, either.

However, NBA 2K22 does support cross-progression through the same family of consoles. This means if you purchase the game on Xbox One and upgrade to a Series X|S, your data will be able to transfer to the new next-gen console. The same is true for upgrading from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5.