The game of basketball has always required a strong center. Even as the three-pointer has taken off, teams still search for a good shot in the paint before taking a long-distance bomb. This fact remains true in NBA 2K22, as teams with weak centers find themselves getting slashed into submission.
There are plenty of teams that need a center, but not all of them deserve one. There are only a handful of teams one big man away from winning a championship. These are the teams that can take MyPlayer all the way to the top of the mountain in NBA 2K22.
Updated on May 4th, 2022 by Hodey Johns: With an entire regular season under their belts, the need for a powerful center became much more glaring. The teams who made deep playoff dives understood that strength in the paint is important. Those who can't rebound, dunk, layup, and pass from inside with the best of them won't be the best of them at the end of the year. With so many changes during the season, both to rosters and to player OVRs, this list needed to drastically change and it has been updated. Now that the regular season is over, these teams should remain the best teams to join for a while now, at least until the next game in the series comes out.
What To Look For
Most importantly, the player doesn't get a chance to start until their own OVR surpasses the OVR of the starter, regardless of how well they play or the kind of stats they put up. So the first step is to find a team with a center that is 80 OVR or less.
Next, the team should be solid. Especially for centers, if the guards are bad, opposing teams will rain down threes without anything they can do about it. Controlling the paint makes a difference in the game, but even the most veteran players can't do everything.
Los Angeles Clippers
PG | Reggie Jackson | 77 |
SG | Paul George | 88 |
SF | Kawhi Leonard | 95 |
PF | Marcus Morris Sr. | 79 |
C | Ivica Zubac | 78 |
The Clippers haven't received the same luck as the Spurs and Raptors did from receiving one of the best small forwards around in Kawhi Leonard. Sadly, his health and the health of the team have been rotating in and out. But he and Paul George are championship ready, no doubt, so long as they can get somebody dependable on the inside. The MyPlayer can easily fill that void and will have plenty of breathing room to do it. Encourage the team to take shots and smack the glass anytime the ball is up.
Golden State Warriors
PG | Stephen Curry | 96 |
SG | Klay Thompson | 83 |
SF | Andrew Wiggins | 83 |
PF | Draymond Green | 83 |
C | Kevon Looney | 77 |
This team will give the MyPlayer the starting role the fastest, as Looney's low 77 OVR will be lower than many players who finish playing in college. The opportunity to play with Steph Curry, one of the best point guards alive, and Klay Thompson should make and center salivate. The two forwards started the season at 80 OVR apiece and are finishing up at 83s. This team is truly just one center away from being the best in the NBA without much contest.
Charlotte Hornets
PG | LaMelo Ball | 86 |
SG | Terry Rozier | 82 |
SF | Gordon Hayward | 81 |
PF | Miles Bridges | 84 |
C | Montrezl Harrell | 79 |
There was a lot for gamers to love and hate about NBA 2K22, and it's likely that the Hornets felt the same toward their team. While they took so many positive steps forward, it wasn't enough to many any serious contention for a title. The missing piece is right under the rim.
Taking the job for a 79 OVR Harrell shouldn't be too tough. This is a good situation for centers that want to be the center of attention, since the rest of the team is solid but not overwhelming. Want to be the one putting up shots? This is an excellent cast to do it with.
Detroit Pistons
PG | Saben Lee | 75 |
SG | Cade Cunningham | 82 |
SF | Saddiq Bey | 81 |
PF | Jerami Grant | 81 |
C | Kelly Olynyk | 78 |
The glaring issue for the Pistons is the point guard, who, at a 75 OVR, is difficult to justify playing with. Lee is genuinely a problem, along with Olynyk at center. But playing at center solves both of those issues. Request the pass immediately, drive in or post up, and then rack up points in isolation. If opponents move in, simply pass to the newly open teammate. It's not a pretty team, but they're not so bad that a dedicated player can't force a championship out of them.
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 88 |
SG | Josh Giddey | 81 |
SF | Luguentz Dort | 79 |
PF | Darius Bazley | 77 |
C | Isaiah Roby | 77 |
Why join a team at center when the center and both forwards are sub-80 OVR? This enables players to have the inside all to themselves. All the blocks, all the rebounds, and all those steals on slashes (which received animation boosts this year) will go to a strong center who is ready to lead. The guards are still solid, so if the opponents collapse on the interior on offense, both Giddey and Gilgeous-Alexander are ready to knock down a quick three with an escape pass.
NBA 2K22 was released on September 9th, 2021, and is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.