There are two feelings whenever the animation for a diamond player triggers inNBA 2K22. The first feeling is jubilation. The odds of getting one are so rare! At worst, the card can be sold for Virtual Currency, but, more than likely, this is going to be a superstar that starts all season long.
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The next feeling is nervousness. What if it’s one of the diamond cards that is overrated? About half of them don’t have a single Hall of Fame badge. Winning nothing can be a slap in the face, paying with the gamer’s heart over a card that looks good but doesn’t play well. These are the cards that players should hope to win the most inNBA 2K22.
Updated on June 24th, 2022 by Hodey Johns:After a tidal wave of new cards was released, it’s safe to say that this list needed to be revisited. Not a single player from the game’s release remains in the top ten today, which is a microcosm of how quickly the landscape shifts in NBA 2K22. This new list gives gamers an overview of the new round of best players. In addition to this overhaul, each section has been outfitted with some overall statistics about the athlete card. This should give gamers a clearer idea of why each player was ranked where they were and if the individual will be a good fit for their team.
93
99
12
41
0
Bronze Badges
The game’s veterans have a specific strategy. They attempt to drive toward the rim and, if the window closes, they pass to the outside. Finishing and playmaking are required and Iman Shupert has both of those categories nailed down. Additionally, his perfect rating on defense means he’s suited for both ends of the floor.
95
42
Michael Jordan became the NBA’s consensus GOAT by doing every part of the game at a high level. Nobody is going to confuse Kevin Huerter for Michael Jordan, but his card plays like it in many ways. The badges are spread out nicely. This is typical for a small forward, but for a shooting guard like Huerter, that adds some interesting opportunities that many players in this spot don’t have.
45
At 6'9" with speed and acceleration at 94 apiece, Deni Avdija is one of the rare big forwards that is allowed to play point guard. This creates a massive mismatch against almost every other point guard that should be exploited. Avdija has all but two playmaking badges at gold or better, so he’s plenty suited for working the ball around.
98
46
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This isn’t the last time Mike Bibby’s name appears on this list. As a word of warning, he has two cards, both ranked at 94s, with ever-so-slightly different statistics. So be careful when applying one or the other to the lineup. Although the other card wins out by having an extra legendary badge, it’s worth a second look at this card for the 98 in both offense and defense, two points higher than the other card.
97
49
To this day, many still revere Allen Iverson as the most talented point guard they’ve ever seen. Anybody worried about his 6'0" frame will forget about all the speed and acceleration that comes along with that. His legendary and gold badges are spread out evenly. Iverson is the perfect card for gamers that need to keep their opponents from guessing what they’ll get smacked with next.
91
13
Point guards equipped withthe best playmaking badges in the gameare tough to beat. They’ll find every little gap, zip it to the right man, and it’s over from there. Stopping somebody inside requires near-perfect scores, badges, and statistics from the center. Boban Marjanovic has all of that in a 7'4" frame. His finishing is decent too, but it’s those stops on the inside that forces opponents to try their luck from outside the arc.
92
20
Players that want their bigs to havethe best shooting badgeswill need to look elsewhere. And Leon Powe isn’t the best at playmaking either. Instead, this card focuses on defense and finishing at the rim. While some gamers might want the versatility, sometimes a player just needs to get the job done and excel at select aspects. Powe won’t shoot threes, but he’s generally better than other power forwards at being a power forward.
89
23
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If a power forward is going to compete withthe best centers in the NBA, he has to be able to defend and rebound from inside. A.C. Green is the model for this, putting one legendary badge into finishing and the rest into defense/rebounding. That perfect 99 score on defense is the icing on the cake. Green can hold his own against any forward or center in the game, so feel free to move him around.
35
Mike Dunleavy is a fantastic template for anincredible shooting guard buildor he can be left at his primary position, small forward, and really throw off the balance of the game. As is to be expected for somebody with a perfect offensive rating, this guy is primed and ready to drain shots from a distance. He’s also got some incredible ball-handling skills for his position, which is handy for those who want an extra body on the perimeter.
96
If Mike Bibby played today in his prime, he’d be considered one ofthe best point guards in the game. Two of his cards grace this list due to his outstanding badge distribution across all four categories ( he has a legendary badge in each one). His best assets are shooting and playmaking, but his legendary Giant Slayer badge also means his small stature works to his advantage on the interior.
NBA 2K22is available now for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
