Let me tell you, when I first fired up NBA 2K13's My Career mode, I thought my basketball knowledge would carry me through. Boy, was I wrong. I remember struggling through those early games, barely getting any minutes, and watching my player's rating stagnate around 55-60. That's when I realized I needed to approach this like a real coach would approach building a team. It reminds me of how my friend Bonnie Tan, that Northport coach, always talks about team chemistry and smart player development. You can't just rely on raw talent - you need strategy, just like that Pureblends-Similan Black Fox team Raymond Valenzona coached in the Pilipinas Super Liga. They had solid players like James Martinez and Kyle Neypes who each brought something unique to the court, and that's exactly how you should approach building your My Career player.
One of the biggest mistakes I see players make is trying to do everything at once. Early in my own My Career journey, I wasted valuable skill points spreading them too thin across different attributes. What I learned after about 30 games is that you need to specialize. Think about how Jan Jamon and Shaq Alanes probably had different roles on that MPBL team - you need to define your role too. If you're a point guard, focus on ball handling and passing first. For big men, rebounding and inside scoring should be priorities. I found that concentrating on 2-3 key attributes per season gave me much better results than trying to be average at everything.
Here's something most people don't realize - your performance in practice sessions matters way more than you'd think. I used to skip them early on, until I noticed my teammate grade was stuck at C+ despite having decent stats. Once I started consistently hitting those practice drills, my minutes jumped from 12 to 22 per game within just 10 games. The virtual coaches notice your dedication, much like how real coaches like Raymond Valenzona would notice which players are putting in the extra work. Those practice sessions are where you can really boost specific skills without spending VC.
Another pro tip I wish I'd known earlier involves understanding the endorsement system. Around my second season, when my player was rated about 75, I started getting endorsement offers. The key isn't just taking the highest paying deal - it's about finding brands that match your play style. If you're a sharpshooter, go for brands that reward three-point performance. This netted me about 500 extra VC per game from bonuses alone. It's like how real teams consider brand fit when signing sponsorship deals - Pureblends backing that Similan Black Fox team wasn't random, it was strategic.
The auction house can be your best friend or worst enemy. I learned this the hard way after wasting 15,000 VC on shoes that didn't actually boost my stats significantly. What I discovered after talking with other dedicated players is that certain accessories provide much better value. Wristbands and sleeves that cost around 800 VC can give you the same stat boosts as 5,000 VC shoes if you choose wisely. It's about smart resource allocation, similar to how a coach like Bonnie Tan has to manage his team's budget and resources effectively.
When it comes to dominating NBA 2K13 My Career, patience truly is a virtue. I see so many players get frustrated when they're not starting by their first season. In my experience, it typically takes between 40-60 games to earn that starting spot, depending on your position and performance. Use those bench minutes to study the game flow and identify weaknesses in opposing teams. Watch how the AI controls your position and learn from it. This approach helped me jump from 6th man to franchise player by my third season, with my player rating hitting 89 - higher than most of the league's established stars. Just like those players on Coach Valenzona's team had to earn their roles through consistent performance, you need to prove yourself in the virtual court too. Trust me, when you finally get that starting position and your player becomes the face of the franchise, all the grinding will feel absolutely worth it.