Ayrton Oneill
Basketball GM is a free basketball management simulation video game that allows players to manage their teams by re-signing players, negotiating contracts, and strategizing lineups. A common question among players is whether the order of the starting 5 and the positions of players matter. While the game does not require a traditional lineup of one PG, SG, SF, PF, and C, players have observed that certain skills are prioritized over others depending on the lineup. For example, a team with 5 centers may have an advantage in rebounding but lack passing and dribbling skills. Additionally, the first player in the lineup tends to receive more playing time than the fifth player, although the difference is not significant. Ultimately, the game caters to statheads and provides thousands of ways to play, allowing players to experiment with different strategies and find what works best for their team.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Starting 5 | It is not necessary to start with one PG, SG, SF, PF, and C. |
| You need players with the skills to play winning basketball. | |
| Positions | The positions setting algorithm has been improved for more reasonable labels. |
| Positions change over time as players age and their skillsets change. | |
| Realism | The basketball simulation algorithm in BBGM is not identical to real basketball. |
| Certain types of players may be overvalued or undervalued in BBGM. | |
| Certain stats might be easier or harder to accumulate in BBGM. | |
| Skills | The game simulates each possession and calculates a team-wide skill level for each core skill. |
| Having a team with 5 centers will lower passing and dribbling skills but not provide much advantage in rebounding. |
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What You'll Learn
Player positions don't matter, only their skills do
In Basketball GM, player positions don't matter as much as the skills they bring to the team. The game simulates each possession, calculating a team-wide skill level for each core skill. This means that having a team of 5 centres, for example, will not give a significant advantage in rebounding, but the passing and dribbling skills will be much lower compared to a team with a more varied lineup.
The game calculates the team's overall skill level by taking into account the skills of each player, regardless of their position. This encourages players of Basketball GM to focus on building a team with a diverse set of skills rather than just filling specific positions.
While the positions of players are still labelled, they are not as important as the skills the players bring to the court. The game has improved its position labels to make them more reasonable, and these positions can change over time as players age and develop different skill sets.
Ultimately, a successful team in Basketball GM will have players with complementary skills that create a well-rounded and versatile lineup, regardless of their designated positions. The game rewards players who can create a balanced team and punishes those who focus too heavily on a single skill or position.
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The game calculates a team-wide skill level for each core skill
Basketball GM is a free sports management simulation game where you are the general manager of a basketball team. The game has no real way to "win", and your goal can be whatever you want it to be. For instance, your goal could be to win as many games as possible, make the most profit, or develop players from rookies to stars.
Each player has a rating for a variety of categories, such as shooting, rebounding, passing, and dribbling, on a scale from 0-100. The overall ratings, however, do not guarantee performance. The particular mix of ratings plays a role in success. For example, a short player with a 100 shot-blocking rating does not contribute much to the team's performance.
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The first player in the lineup gets more playing time than the fifth
In basketball, there are five players on the court per team, each assigned to one of the five main positions: point guard (PG), shooting guard (SG), small forward (SF), power forward (PF), and center (C). The starting lineup usually comprises two guards, one center, and two forwards, with the first player in the lineup typically getting more playing time than the fifth.
The first player in the lineup, often one of the guards, is usually one of the best players on the team and, as such, will generally play more minutes than the fifth player. This is because, in basketball, the starters are usually the best players on the team at their respective positions, and there is a certain level of prestige associated with being a starter.
However, it's worth noting that the difference in playing time between the first and fifth players might not be significant, and it also depends on various other factors, such as the specific game plan, the flow of the game, and the performance of the players on the court. Additionally, in modern basketball, players often play more than one position, and their roles can be quite flexible depending on the situation.
While the traditional starting lineup is still common, some teams might opt for different combinations, such as three guards and two forwards, or three guards, one forward, and one center. Ultimately, the order of the starting lineup does have some impact, but it's not the sole factor determining a team's success. Other aspects, such as player fit, skill combinations, and adaptability, also come into play.
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The game is not identical to real basketball
Basketball GM (BBGM) is a free basketball management simulation video game. While the game is designed to be as realistic as possible, it is not identical to real basketball.
For example, certain types of players may be overvalued or undervalued in BBGM, and certain stats might be easier or harder to accumulate. Additionally, the game simulates each possession, calculating a team-wide skill level for each core skill, which may not perfectly reflect the complexities of real-world basketball strategy. The game also uses an algorithm to determine player positions, which has been criticised as embarrassing, although this has since been updated to provide more reasonable position labels.
Another difference is in the way that player ages are handled. In BBGM, a player's age is based on their birth year, which can result in a one or two-year discrepancy compared to real-world player ages. This can have a significant impact on the game as player progression is heavily influenced by age, and younger players tend to progress more quickly in BBGM than they would in real life.
Furthermore, the game's news and media sections have been criticised for lacking immersion and intuitiveness. For example, game recaps and recent news stories are not included, which can make it difficult for players to stay informed about their team's performance and the wider league.
Despite these differences, Basketball GM is constantly being improved to increase its realism. While it may never perfectly replicate real basketball, the developers recognise the importance of addressing these issues to enhance the player experience.
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Offensive players are not impacted by the game mechanics
While Basketball GM is a video game, its primary purpose is to be fun, not realistic. The game does not account for the impact of playing time on player development. There is no convincing evidence that young players become good if they get more playing time.
The game's mechanics do not consider the systems and fits of players within a team. For example, if your roster is skewed offensively, you are unlikely to hire a defensive-minded coach. The ability to build a system within your team is not authentic because it is not happening across the league.
While the game does not prioritize realism, it offers thousands of ways to play and provides an easily digestible and engrossing basketball experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Positions do matter in Basketball GM, but you don't need to start with the traditional PG, SG, SF, PF, and C. You need players with the skills to play winning basketball. For example, a team with 5 centers will have a lot of rebounding skill but will be weaker in passing and dribbling.
Yes, the game simulates each possession and calculates a team-wide skill level for each core skill. This takes into account the team's total skill level and plugs it into a function that resembles an S curve.
Heights and weights don't seem to have much impact on gameplay, but the height rating does matter.
The first player in the lineup gets more playing time than the fifth player, but the difference is not significant.
