Start as a 60 OVR. Grind badge points in practice. Don't waste VC on clothes. Focus on: shooting badges first (Green Machine, Limitless Range), then defense (Clamps, Interceptor). A 75 OVR with good badges beats a 85 OVR with no badges every time.
Don't buy packs with VC — the odds are terrible. Work the auction house instead. Buy low on weekdays, sell high on weekends. Complete challenges for free cards. The best budget cards are often better than expensive pulls. Patience beats spending.
Turn off shot meter — it gives a hidden boost. Learn the release timing visually. Every player has a different release. Curry's is fast. Jokic's is slow. Practice in MyCourt until you can green consistently. Shot timing > shot rating.
The NBA 2K League is the official esports league. 25 teams (affiliated with NBA franchises). Players earn $37,500-55,000 per season. Draft combines test: shooting, IQ, teamwork. It's harder to make the 2K League than you think — thousands try out, 150 get drafted.