Dwyane Wade

DWYANE WADE (MIA)

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#3•D. WADE

SG • 6’4, 220 lbs; 16th year, Marquette

HYBRID

NBA ROLE: VETERAN SHOT CREATOR/LEADER

 

Dwyane Wade, one of the greatest two guards to ever lace ’em up, is back in South Beach for the final stretch of his (storied) career; even at age 36, Wade has retained some of his takeover ability – doesn’t get to the line as much anymore but has reinvented himself as a post-up scorer, midrange attacker & strategic rim driver (loves doing damage on the left side); Wade’s present-day game is basically just a remixed version of the past 16 seasons – he’ll still avoid contact before a euro lay-in but has avoided absorbing contact & flying into the first row in recent years; automatic turnaround fadeaway – Wade’s able to unleash his go-to shot over almost any defender; injury prone but has mastered the art of picking his spots and contributing at a high level when needed most; defense has taken a step back but when healthy, Wade remains a very capable scorer & leader on a game-to-game basis; icon to co-star in Miami, will spend (much-deserved) farewell tour helping Miami return to the postseason

SIGNATURE!

THAT’S HOW (THE F***) YOU DO IT!

FLASH!

MORE ON "FLASH"

  • Career: 22.5 points/game, 5.5 assists/game, 4.7 rebounds/game, 44% FG

  • 3x NBA Champion (’06, ’12, ’13) 

  • NBA Finals MVP (‘06)

  • 13x All-Star (Last: 2019) 

  • Miami HEAT All-Time Leading Scorer 

  • Avg. career-highs of 30.2 points/game & 7.5 dimes/game (2008-09)

  • (FACTORY SETTING) NBA 2K19 RATING: 79

Vince Carter

Long removed from his ‘Vinsanity’ days, Vince Carter’s a role-playing, veteran swingman who still finds a way to contribute – lock for the Hall of Fame.

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Tony Parker

TONY PARKER (CHA)

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#9•T. PARKER

PG • 6’2, 185 lbs; 18th year, France

SALTY DOG

NBA ROLE: (VETERAN) SCORING POINT

 

Tony Parker, THE best Frenchman of all time, is still going (semi) strong in the league; the engine of Gregg Popovich’s offense for over a decade, TP's taken a step back in recent years, is now a valuable backup PG/mentor in Charlotte – pure definition of a "seasoned vet who’s been through it all"; picks spots very well: Parker still provides savvy shot & playmaking, albeit in smaller doses; sig moves: legendary floater, spin layups & probing jumpers (inventive midrange attack); liability on D at this point; Parker’s leadership will be counted upon as CHA seeks a return to the postseason in 2019; 4x champ, future Hall of Famer – (somehow) one of the most underrated lead guards the game has seen?

SIGNATURE!

RUNNING TEARDROP

(AGAINST THE GRAIN) SPIN LAYUP

MORE ON "TP"

  • Career: 15.8 points/game, 5.7 assists/game, 49% FG

  • 4x NBA Champion (’03, ’05, ’07, ’14)

  • NBA Finals MVP (2007)

  • 6x All-Star (Last: 2014)

  • Not a rapper

  • (FACTORY SETTING) NBA 2K19 RATING: 76

Carmelo Anthony

MELOOO: one of the smoothest scorers the game has seen: ‘how do you want it, let me(lo) count the ways’ – buckets from deep, midrange, after a deadly jab step, driving to the hole, from the foul line – if there’s a way to put the ball in the basket, Melo can craft a thesis in his sleep.

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Pau Gasol

A 2x NBA champ, 6-time All-Star & former Rookie of the Year, Pau Gasol’s had an illustrious career.

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Dirk Nowitzki

DIRK NOWITZKI (DAL)

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#41•D. NOWITZKI

F/C • 7’0, 245 lbs; 21st! year, Germany

SALTY DOG

NBA ROLE: HIGHLY SKILLED 4/5

 

A living legend & THE greatest shooting big of all time, Dirk Nowitzki is Dallas Mavericks basketball; one of the league’s most storied power forwards (NBA Champ, ranks SIXTH all-time in scoring) – they don’t call him ‘Swish 41’ for no reason; basketball unicorn: no one’s ever (closely) resembled Dirk’s unique play style*; immortal jump shot – unblockable, one-legged jumper & high post attack – should have its own wing in the Hall of Fame; modern-day Dirk is still a deadeye shooter (hit 138 triples in '17-'18), gets looks primarily via straightaway triples & spot ups; doesn't play heavy minutes but some nights, it looks like Dirk is still in his prime – winding down career (passing torch to L. Doncic)

 

*players try to emulate his moves – no one's featured Dirk’s combination of mid-post dominance, elite three-point shooting & pump fake drive-bys at 7 feet

SIGNATURE!

ONE-LEGGED, FALLAWAY J™

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STRAIGHTAWAY TRIPLE

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MORE ON "SWISH 41"

  • Career: 21.2 points/game, 7.7 rebounds/game, 47% FG

  • NBA Champion (2011)

  • NBA Finals MVP (2011)

  • NBA MVP (2007)

  • 14x All-Star (Last: 2019)

  • (FACTORY SETTING) NBA 2K19 RATING: 78

Zach Randolph

ZACH RANDOLPH (SAC)

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#50•Z. RANDOLPH

PF • 6’9, 250 lbs; 18th year, Michigan State

HYBRID

NBA ROLE: SKILLED POWER FORWARD

 

Z-Bo is as real as it gets up front – undersized, power-finesse big w/ an immovable base – been tough to deal with for 18 years; since State, Z-Bo’s been a gifted low-post & face up scorer – establishes himself early by grabbing, moving & even bowing his opponent from time to time…but it’s an elaborate set up – Randolph frustrates his matchup into making defensive mistakes like no other (once you’re at a disadvantage, a lil lefty hook or 'strongman' hook is coming); can’t jump over a phone book, hasn’t ever needed athleticism to be effective – Randolph’s jab step, combined w/ a patient approach, produces nice results; remains a strong rebounder and inside presence (should teach a clinic on how to keep the ball high after securing an offensive rebound), though efficiency is starting to waver a bit; smart defender, though limited; high quality vet in SAC

SIGNATURE!

JAB --> FADEAWAY J

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TURNAROUND HOOK

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MORE ON “Z-BO"

  • Career: 16.6 points/game, 9.1 rebounds/game, 47% FG
  • 2x All-Star (’10, ’13)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2011)
  • Most Improved Player (2004)
  • (FACTORY SETTING) NBA 2K19 RATING: 78

Luol Deng

LUOL DENG (MIN)

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#9•L. DENG

F • 6’9, 220 lbs; 15th year, Duke

SALTY DOG

NBA ROLE: VETERAN FORWARD

 

A former two-way star in Chicago, Luol Deng provides veteran leadership in Los Angeles; an iron man w/ excellent stamina, Deng has a lot of miles under his belt, so nagging injuries are common; not many better cutters back in the day – utilizes v-cuts and action down the middle for slashing layups; Lu does a great job of establishing himself before post catches: seals well on postups – patient back downs, always gets his turnaround away; a driving floater off one leg is Deng’s best move OTD; effective corner jump shooter; small ball four man these days – performs utility role off the bench; hailing from Sudan, Deng is one of the league’s greatest ambassadors

SIGNATURE!

CORNER TRIPLE

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HARD DRIVE OFF CURL

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MORE ON “LU"

  • Career: 15 points/game, 6.1 rebounds/game, 46% FG

  • 2x All-Star (’12, ’13)

  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2012)

  • NBA Sportsmanship Award (2007)

  • (FACTORY SETTING) NBA 2K19 RATING: 72

Joakim Noah

It’s rare to see someone play w/ the raw passion Joakim Noah has etched into every fiber of his basketball being.

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