Want to play MyTeam but only have a bit of time and don't want to spend any extra cash? No problem. NBA 2K23 has some Emerald cards that usually cost very little Virtual Currency in the Auction House. The issue is that sellers don't realize they have cards better than the cards several tiers above them.
Don't be fooled by the "low" OVR, the Emerald players in NBA 2K23 can be special. Take a look at their attributes and badges to see that a handful of them can go toe-to-toe with more expensive cards. Even for players who intend to drop some cash, starting with a solid Emerald team is a good idea.
A special thank you to the folks over at 2kdb.net for keeping the database of cards up to date!
10 Klay Thompson
Some might sleep on Klay Thompson's Emerald badge because he doesn't have any gold badges. That's fine, gold badges do make a big difference. But he's got the best shooting badges at silver which should count for something.
In fact, he's got all but one shooting badge in the whole category. From the center or right side of the court, Thompson has to work hard to miss his shots. Need more ranged threats? Thompson is the guy to turn to.
9 LaSalle Thompson
The game loves to throw around players under 6'9" and call them centers at this stage. Finding somebody at 6'10" is tough enough. Finding somebody like LaSalle Thompson who backs up the height with great defense and finishing is even tougher.
The bulk of his badges are in defense/rebounding, which is ideal for centers. But don't forget about his gold badge in Aerial Wizard; he can make some tough layups and move his frame as few big men can.
8 Kerry Kittles
The best shooting guard build will be able to rain down three balls and stop those they line up against from scoring. Forget playmaking and finishing, the point guard and big men already have those covered. This is why Kerry Kittles is a monster at the two-guard spot.
His two gold badges are split between defense and shooting. Pay special attention to his shot zones in each corner; if he gets the ball from range at these locations, he's got no issues with draining threes quickly.
7 Harvey Grant
Harvey Grant has ten badges in total, five in finishing and five in defense/rebounding. That does indeed mean that his shooting and playmaking aren't going to shock any gamers, but at the power forward spot, Grant does what is needed.
For those who need extra help on the interior, try shifting the 6'8" Grant over to his secondary position of small forward. His height and defense will shut down offensive-minded small forwards, securing the interior better.
6 Devin Harris
If being predictable becomes a problem, and it will in competitive games, Devin Harris is the man to go to. While both of his gold badges are in playmaking, he's got at least one silver badge or more in every category. Players can then choose to slash, pass, break some ankles, shoot from long range, or pull up from the middle.
Another bonus is the 90 to speed and acceleration. This might not seem eye-popping, but consider that he's still 6'3", very tall for a point guard to have those jets.
5 Drew Gooden
At 6'10", Drew Gooden is perfectly capable of playing at power forward, his default position, or center. Use this versatility well, moving him around to face whoever the biggest threat is. His four gold badges in defense/rebounding will put a stop to any problematic interior areas.
A sneaky advantage for Gooden is his midrange shooting, red in all but one area inside of the three-point line. He's got some sweet shots that will leave opponents stunned as they likely won't account for this kind of range from the big guy.
4 Maurice Cheeks
The big issue with finding a good point guard at about any tier is that they generally have terrible defense. Maurice Cheeks is a happy reprieve from that issue, bringing five gold madges to that area of the court. The best defense/rebounding badges are just the start of the intrigue.
He has a bronze Floor General badge in playmaking, the most highly coveted badge of them all. On top of that, check out the bright red area around the hoop. If Cheeks gets in close, unless the defense on him is top-notch, he'll be easily scoring.
3 Zion Williamson
The power forward needs to be able to help out the center on defense and rebounding in addition to providing some offensive output close to the hoop. Of Zion Williamson's six gold badges, five of them involve finishing dunks and layups close to the rim.
The other is Pogo Stick on defense. This means Williamson has all the necessary bases covered. Don't forget that the best finishing badges count for a bit extra; big-time dunks will fill up the takeover meter more than hot shooting.
2 Brevin Knight
The biggest selling point for Brevin Knight is his blazing speed, netting an unreal 96 in both speed and acceleration. At 5'10", he's undoubtedly short, but these are the kind of stats you hope for when giving up a bit of size.
Knight is the exact template the experts want. The idea is to drive to the rim, then either layup if the shot is there or pass to the open man if an extra defender comes over to help. With nine gold badges and eight of those in playmaking (the other is in finishing), Knight has the elite playmaking moves to lead a team.
1 Jason Williams
The point guard's most important task is to be the playmaker for the team. Jason Williams has a whopping twelve gold badges and each of those twelve is in playmaking. Having the best playmaking badges makes him an incredible passer who can make the whole team better.
Beyond just badges, his playmaking attributes are all 82 or better. With an 82 in speed and acceleration as well, he's capable of driving to the hoop for some slashing buckets too. If defenders try to stop him, he can pass back outside without the fear of turning the ball over.
NBA 2K23 is available now for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.