NBA 2K17 Badges: What They Are & Why They Matter

In a game filled with player customization, NBA 2K17 Badges are another way that gamers can create their ultimate player. Badges are part unlockable extra and purchasable upgrade. You’ll need them to get the most out of the basketball simulation’s MyCareer story mode.

There are two types of Badges in the game: Personality Badges and Skill Badges. Both types can improve your  MyCareer player’s skills. The game awards Bronze versions of the Badges for the way your character plays and behaves.

You can upgrade your MyCareer character’s Bronze Badges using the Virtual Currency you’ve earned through endorsement deals and contract negotiations in the game. If you think that might take too long, you can skip earning enough VC in the game and buy the Virtual Currency you need to upgrade your Badges with real money.

If you know what Badges you want your player to have, you can begin to work toward them the moment you start MyCareer. Here’s a breakdown of every NBA 2K17 Badge and how to get it.

Read: How to Get NBA 2K17 VC

Skill NBA 2K17 Badges

Different Skill Badges change your character in different ways. The game divides Skill Badges into sets based on what type of player you’ve created for MyCareer.

Inside Scorer

Acrobat	Attempts difficult shots without issue and changes arcs.
Tear Dropper	Excels at successful floaters and runners.
Putback King	Known to score immediately off offensive rebounds.
Pick & Roller	Excels and rollers and pick-ups. (With the ball, call for a screen 100 times in a season.)
Relentless Finisher	Takes physical punishment on contact shots near the rim without impacting energy.
Post Spin Technician	Dominates post with spin and drive moves. (Spin or drive out of the post 100 times.)
Drop-Stepper	Known for his ability to use the drop step move to his advantage in the post.
Dream-Like Up & Under	Excels at scoring in the post with up & under moves. (In a single season, attempt 60 up and under shots out of the post.)

Outside Scorer

Corner Specialist	Known for his ability to knock down three-point shots from the corners.
Mid-Range Deadeye	Knocks down shots from medium-range at a very high success rate.
Deep Range Deadeye	Knocks down shots from a deep range at a very high rate.
Limitless Range	Knock down deep three-point shots more than the average player.
Difficult Shots	Makes a habit of successful shots after dribbling.
Pick & Popper	Excels as a pick and pop receiver.
Tireless Scorer	A player who can spend a good deal of energy without losing effectiveness when trying to score.
Catch & Shoot	Hits stand-still shots off the catch at a high percentage.

Playmaking

Ankle Breaker	Causes stumbles or falls with ball-handling and dribble moves.
Flashy Passer	Likes to show off when passing.
Break Starter	Starts fast breaks with accurate outlet passes.
Pick & Roll Maestro	Throws accurate passes and hits shots off screens at a high percentage.
Lob City Passer	Successfully uses the alley-oop pass a lot.
Dimer	Successfully passing to teammates in a great position to put points on the board.

Athleticism

Lob City Finisher	Finishes alley-oop at a high rate.
Posterizer	Succeeds at dunking on defenders at a high-rate.
Bruiser	Physical nature of drains energy from match-up.
Brick Wall	Highly effective screens.
One Man Fast Break	Excels at taking the ball coast to coast on a fast break.

Rebounding

Hustle Rebounder

Highly successful rebounder.

Defense

Defensive Stopper	While playing defense, this player drops various offensive skills.
Charge Card	Successfully wins charge calls more than the average player.
Pick Dodger	Player that gets around most screens.
Pick Pocket	Snatches the ball often.
Rim Protector	Successful blocks rim shots often.
Chase Down Artist	Great transition shot blocker.

Personality NBA 2K17 Badges

These Personality Badges in NBA 2K17 change the way your MyPlayer behaves on the court.

Alpha Dog	Team Leader who takes it upon himself to lead his team to victory.
Clutch Performer	Steps his game up in big games and big moments.
Wildcard	A player who is wildly inconsistent.
Spark Plug	Comes off the bench or comes out of timeouts making big plays that can energize his teammates. (Score an average of 7 points per game coming off the bench in a 6 game streak.)
Enforcer	Can wreak havoc on the floor with tough and physical play. (Get 10 non-flagrant, hard fouls in a season.)
Floor General	An offensive leader who can help his teammates play better on offense when he’s on the floor. (Average 5 career assists for 30 games in a season. Must have a Playmaker level of 18.)
Hardened	Will play through fatigue and injury without experiencing a severe drop in skill. (Average 80% shot success rate for 20 games. Durability must be at 90. Power Forward and Center must have Stamina at 85.)
Defensive Anchor	Defensive leader who helps his teammates perform better defensively. (Play in at least 30 season games. Have a Playmaker level of 18.)
Championship DNA	Can quickly see where double teams are. Good play in Playoff moments.
Microwave	A player who heats up quicker than most. (Get hot on offense during 5 games in the season.)

This second set of Personality Badges focuses on your player’s behavior when they aren’t on the court. You earn these for activities on your day off and the way you interact with other players.

Friendly	Well-liked player.
Reserved	More introspective player.
Legendary Work Ethic	Works hard at practice consistently.
All-Time Great	Wants to be remembered as the greatest player ever. (In at least 15 consecutive games, divide field goal attempts by assists. If the FGA ratio is higher when compared to Assists, All-Time Great is rewarded. PG: 4 to 1 ratio. SG: 4.5 to 1 ratio. SF: 5 to 1 ratio. PF: 8 to 1 ratio. C: 8 to 1 ratio.
Low Ego	Values team success more than personal fame. (In at least 15 consecutive games, divide field goal attempts by assists. If the FGA ratio is lower when compared to Assists, All-Time Great is rewarded. PG: 2 to 1 ratio. SG: 2.5 to 1 ratio. SF: 3 to 1 ratio. PF: 6 to 1 ratio. C: 6 to 1 ratio.
High Work Ethic	Works harder than the typical NBA player.
Legendary Work Ethic	Always at the gym.
Keep it Real	Responds to tough love.
Pat My Back	Responds best when encouraged.
Expressive	Shares his feelings.
Unpredictable	Has erratic behavior.
Laid Back	Chill and low intensity.

Good luck snagging the Skill and Personality Badges you want the most. Badges aren’t the most exciting part of NBA 2K17, but they do add another dynamic to what’s already a pretty detailed game.