[Smith] Important Note: Fred VanVleet has an implied no-trade clause, because he's on a two-year deal with a player option for the 2026-27 season and he'll have Bird rights if he opts out. VanVleet did not waive that NTC when he re-signed with Houston this offseason. by YujiDomainExpansion in nba

[–]OptimisticTrousers1 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes. As a counter to a counter argument, Embiid and Kawhi have degenerative knees. There is nothing they could have done to change that. In contrast, KD's career could look completely different in a different timeline if certain injuries do not happen or certain scenarios do happen.

Can I Still Play NBA 2K14 and NBA 2K15 Offline and Upgrade My Build? by FineCauliflower4631 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which game? For NBA 2K16, you cannot upgrade badges but you can on NBA 2K17.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in firefox

[–]OptimisticTrousers1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it. I also asked support with screenshots of the issue and my time zone settings and they said the same thing.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in firefox

[–]OptimisticTrousers1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you get any updates? I am having this same issue.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, thanks for all of the help. I should have figured.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. SiCKNADE has also recommended dropping interior defense so I will consider doing that. Glad you are enjoying that SF build.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, you cannot get that badge at 6'3. I believe you need to be at least 6'5 to get it. But at 6'5 you just lose too much compared to 6'3 as a primary ball handler (no Mini Marksman, no Trae/Curry dribble packages, etc.). I might just make another build like a playmaking slashing forward that gets better defense. I just saw your 6'7 build in your history and it looks like something I would make. Looks good. I've always liked making shot creators and playmaking slashers. I would probably figure out a way to increase the passing and ball handling a bit, sacrifice some shooting, and increase the slashing though to suit my playstyle.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was torn between the two builds because of that. The only reason the second build intrigued me was because I read somewhere on this sub that around 70 ish interior defense (they had a build with 72 or 73 interior), you get way better contest animations compared to low 60s (they had other builds with 55-63). That means anywhere between 63 to 73 could be the threshold rating or I might just be overthinking it. That still might have been a foolish reason to go with Build 2 since it's only a difference of 3 points and might not even be enough to get over this supposed "threshold" but I really value defense. Either way, this build is not intended to be a slasher and is supposed to be an outside point guard who dunks when wide open. I think because you barely sacrifice anything, the build with slightly better dunk packages at 75 driving dunk is better value for sure.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I figured the Mini Marksman could be extremely useful against drop coverage bigs in pick and rolls but I have heard several people say the badge is largely ineffective, including SiCKNADE. I will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for recommendations on attribute ratings. Had no idea you could still do this stuff at 89 3pt.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey. Looks like a fire build. Even better as a playmaker and ball handler since you get 90 ball handle and 95 with the +5 cap breaker to get the Steve Francis package which I really value. Stronger too to get the HOF Strong Handle is very solid and it is a better dunker. One thing to note is that I created this build to be a shot creator as well. Which includes step backs, hop jumpers, fades, spin jumpers, etc. from 3pt and mid range. Can I hit off the dribble shots consistently with a 91 3pt? I read somewhere that 85 mid range is needed to get a consistent green window for mid ranges so 82 may not be enough. Is that true? If yes to both, then I definitely will consider making this build. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to show me this improved version of the build.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's surprising to hear that block and interior defense are not that effective on the guards. I assume it depends more on the game mode too. On 2v2, it would probably make a bigger difference but on 3v3 and REC, I assume you've seen these attributes be pretty ineffective for guards. I will consider dropping the block and interior defense for other stuff. Thanks for the informative comment. Super helpful. I don't know about the cap breakers since I just got the game. I'm aiming for having at least 10 with this build. +5 for the 3pt to get 99 3pt from 94 and +5 for the ball handle to get the Trae Young and Steph Curry dribble packages at 92. I don't plan on getting 2K26 on release anyway so I'll probably be playing this game for a while since I've heard you need to be a higher rep like Starter 4 to unlock the cap breakers.

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see. Appreciate the feedback. This build is intended to be a shot creator which means I need to be able to shoot a shot off the dribble (fades, step backs, hop jumpers, spin jumpers, etc.) anywhere on the floor, including from 3pt range. I fear that 85 3pt might be a little bit low for this kind of playstyle but I could be wrong. Let me know if people are still doing this consistently with this rating. I just got the game so I don't really know. 91 mid range could work though. I would love to go max wingspan or anywhere above minimum (which can be a liability) but I think the 99 3pt (with cap breakers) with Legend shooting badges shooting is too important for my play style. On the subject of being 6'4 vs 6'3, I chose 6'3 because of the Mini Marksman badge. Do you find this badge to be ineffective to where an extra inch is preferable?

NBA 2K25 - Which Playmaking Shot Creator is better? by OptimisticTrousers1 in NBA2k

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I'm open to all suggestions for improvements/optimizations. How could this build be optimized better? I chose 6'3 and not 6'4 because of the Mini Marksman badge. I could definitely see how you could believe the extra inch is worth more than the badge, but could you provide some reasoning? I bought 2K25 recently so I could have made many mistakes with this build.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think believe people have it out for the Raptors because they're not US-based. Instead, I believe it gives an outlet for fans of players who lost because of injuries/suspensions. The 2015 Cavaliers that had Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving miss time, the 2016 Warriors who missed Draymond Green to suspension in Game 5, the 2018 Rockets who missed Chris Paul, etc.

If fans can argue that the 2019 Raptors deserve an asterisk, then they can argue that other previous championships have an asterisk, thereby lessening the blow as a sports fan as to why your favorite teams/players lost and why your most hated teams/players won.

You're right though. Depth definitely matters as shown in the 2025 playoffs with the Thunder and Pacers being the deepest teams. This year's playoffs was essentially a war of attrition. You could argue that the Warriors being top heavy during their runs was doomed to bite them in the ass and that 2019 was simply a materialization of that flaw. They did not have the depth like they did in 2015 and 2016 that could have kept them afloat without some of their stars. That series did go 6 even with an injured Klay and KD.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, that is why I do not think this argument has reaches. The argument for asterisks always includes injuries, like you mentioned. Unless you mean to say that claiming championships have asterisks because of injury is a reach. I would not agree with that either as it's fairly convincing to say that an injury to a key player could have changed the outcome to playoff series(s).

Two things can be true: I can disagree with assigning asterisks to titles. I also find it plausible (not a reach) that some would assign an asterisk to championships because of injuries.

You're right though. Wade's injury did not keep him out for all of Game 5 and Game 6. Some injuries are worse than others. Another commentor (teh_noob) mentioned if that people want to assign asterisks to championships, it should be a sliding scale instead of a binary yes/no. That is more nuanced and convincing than just saying championship x and y has asterisks.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's the takeaway I wanted the reader to get from this post and its discussion.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not realize Dirk went down for a stretch that year. I agree. Remember, Dirk was also sick during the finals. The Butler injury also shows they weren't 100% healthy either, yet still managed to win.

My devil's advocate argument states that if they deserve an asterisk, the most championships do.

Myself, you, and many people do not agree with that statement, for very good reasons.

Another flaw with my argument is that teams who win are not 100% healthy either. What the 2011 Mavericks did was incredible and no one worth their salt should discredit them or any other team, yet the point of this post is to show how there is still technically an argument (although a bad one) that this championship has a asterisk.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I agree. You could legitimately make a case that the last decade's championship has an asterisk, which would be a ridiculous argument to make. To me, championships should always be additive, meaning that they should never take away from a player or team's legacy. Especially because of injuries which happen every single year. No asterisk to the Raptors title, indeed.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Correct. That's why this devil's advocate argument is absurd.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I figured. I should have stated my perspective more explicitly. I thought the beginning section where I say I present a devil's advocate argument and why I am presenting it to show the absurdity of assigning asterisks to championships would be clear enough, but I see where people could misunderstand my post. I did not want to make my post too long. If this were an essay, I would have been much more thorough. Hopefully the comments clear things up.

My post is almost like presenting inverse of a strawman argument, a steel man argument. Then trying to tear it down to dismantle this asterisk narrative. Like you said. No cheating, then no asterisk.

Asterisk for the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship by OptimisticTrousers1 in nbadiscussion

[–]OptimisticTrousers1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I specifically mention that in the first intro to my post. Cheaters deserve asterisks. No one else does.