
Basketball GM is a free online basketball management simulation game. In the game, you are the general manager of a basketball team, and you have to build your roster to compete for a championship while managing your finances. There are no set rules to win the game, and you can set your own goals. The game features little symbols next to a player's name, representing their key skills. These symbols have no impact on gameplay and are simply meant to give you a quick overview of a player's skills. However, if you want to edit or customize these key skills, there are a few ways to do so. You can refer to the Basketball GM manual, which provides insights into the game's mechanics and strategies, or explore the ZenGM changelog, which details updates and fixes that may provide insights into editing player skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Key skills | Represented by symbols next to a player's name, such as 3ABDiDpPoPsRV |
| Understanding symbols | Hover over a symbol to see what it means |
| Impact on gameplay | None |
| Player comparison | A player who barely misses getting a skill symbol will be about the same as a player who barely gets it |
| Search by skills | Yes, by filtering and searching by skill icon |
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What You'll Learn

Hover over skill icons to see what they mean
In Basketball GM, players have key skills denoted by little symbols next to their names. These symbols are designed to give you a quick overview of a player's skills. To find out what each symbol means, simply hover your mouse over it. This will give you a more detailed understanding of the player's abilities.
For example, you might see symbols like 3ABDiDpPoPsRV, which represent a range of skills. By hovering over each symbol, you can learn what specific abilities each one represents. This feature is especially useful when assessing your team and deciding on strategies.
The symbols have no direct impact on gameplay, and a player with or without a symbol will perform similarly. However, this feature provides valuable information at a glance, helping you make informed decisions about your roster.
If you prefer, you can also consult a list that explains the meaning of each symbol. This list can be found in the Basketball GM manual, providing an alternative way to understand the key skills of your players.
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$29.99

Understand the impact of each skill on gameplay
Basketball GM is a sports management simulation game where you are the general manager of a basketball team. While there is no defined way to "win" the game, the objective is to build a roster to compete for a championship while managing your finances. As a manager, you have the freedom to set your goals, such as winning the most championships, making the most profit, or developing players from rookies to stars.
The little symbols next to a player's name, like 3ABDiDpPoPsRV, represent the key skills that a player possesses. These symbols provide a quick visual reference for managers to understand a player's strengths at a glance. However, it is important to note that these symbols do not directly impact the gameplay mechanics. Instead, they serve as indicators of a player's abilities, and the difference between a player who just misses or achieves a skill symbol is minimal.
In Basketball GM, tactical skills play a crucial role in a team's success. These skills involve a player's ability to analyze game situations and make swift and effective decisions. Tactical skills encompass game intelligence, positioning, play execution, and strategic decision-making. They influence how a team structures its offense, adjusts its defense, and navigates crucial moments during a game.
Technical skills, on the other hand, refer to the physical execution of basketball fundamentals, such as shooting, passing, and dribbling. While technical skills are essential for playing the game, tactical skills provide the strategic edge that can set teams apart at the highest levels of competition.
Understanding the impact of each skill on gameplay allows managers to make informed decisions about player selection, strategy, and overall team management. By recognizing the interplay between technical and tactical skills, managers can build well-rounded teams that can adapt to different situations and exploit opponent weaknesses.
Additionally, certain skills may have specific implications within the game. For example, the ability to execute the pick and roll tactic can create mismatches, open up driving lanes, and force defenders to make quick decisions. Managers who comprehend the value of specific skills can leverage this knowledge to create effective strategies and exploit tactical advantages during gameplay.
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Search by player stats, ratings, or attributes
In Basketball GM, players are represented by little symbols that indicate their key skills, which can be viewed by hovering over the symbol or consulting a list. These symbols are designed to provide an at-a-glance overview of a player's skills and have no impact on gameplay.
While there is no single way to "win" at Basketball GM, players can set their own goals, such as winning the most championships or making the most profit. To achieve these goals, players can search for and filter players by their stats, ratings, or attributes.
The ratings displayed for each player are estimates from your scouts and can be made more accurate by increasing the scouting expense level on the Team Finances page. This process takes three seasons to take full effect. Players can also view a player's potential ("pot") rating, which is an estimate from scouts about how good a player's overall rating might become. This potential rating does not influence player development and is based on simulated career arcs.
Players can also view a player's height ("hgt") rating, which includes their wingspan and standing reach, and is used in simulations. Additionally, players can view a player's injury history and the long-term effects of injuries on their performance.
By searching for players based on their stats, ratings, or attributes, Basketball GM players can make informed decisions about trades, signings, and drafts to align with their strategic goals.
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Learn how to edit player ratings
Basketball GM is a free sports management simulation game where you are the general manager of a basketball team. You are tasked with building your roster to compete for a championship while managing your finances. While there is no way to "win" the game, you can set your own goals, such as winning the most championships or making the most profit.
Player ratings in Basketball GM are on a scale from 0-100, with a typical value being around 50. These ratings can change as players develop and age; young players tend to improve, while older players tend to decline. The overall rating of a player does not guarantee performance, as success also depends on the mix of ratings on the team and the players' teammates. For example, having multiple good rebounders on the same team may not provide as much benefit as having a diverse range of skills.
Each player also has a potential rating, which is an estimate from your scouts about how good a player's overall rating might become. This potential rating does not influence player development but is used to make informed decisions about your team.
While there is no direct way to edit player ratings, you can influence player development by managing their playing time and providing appropriate coaching. Additionally, you can use the "lock ratings" feature in God Mode to prevent player ratings from changing as they age. This feature can be accessed by opening your league in BBGM, opening a new tab, and using the inspect function in your browser to access the console for running commands.
Another way to indirectly edit player ratings is by exporting player stats to Excel, modifying them, and then manually inputting the changes back into the game. However, this method can be time-consuming and requires navigating through lines of code.
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Understand the importance of each skill for different positions
In Basketball GM, understanding the importance of each skill for different positions is crucial for building a successful team. Here's a breakdown of the key skills required for some of the main basketball positions:
Point Guard (PG):
Point guards are typically the shortest players on the team but are exceptional ball handlers and passers. They are often referred to as dribblers, playmakers, or the "coach on the floor." Point guards are responsible for bringing up the ball, passing to teammates, and controlling the pace of the game. A scoring point guard, like Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard, excels in shooting from three-point range and finishing near the rim. Other point guards, like Russell Westbrook, may have weaker shooting abilities but dominate near the rim with powerful dunks and layups. To excel in this position, players need excellent basketball IQ, enabling them to anticipate plays and evaluate their teammates' strengths.
Shooting Guard (SG):
Shooting guards, also known as the "two" or "off-guard," are slightly taller than point guards. Their primary responsibility is shooting the ball and scoring. In modern basketball, shooting guards are expected to be versatile, contributing not only through shooting but also through rebounding and defence. They need to be proficient in spacing the floor and finding open spaces to receive passes. Iconic shooting guards like Michael Jordan, Dwayne Wade, and Kobe Bryant are known for their ability to shoot from almost anywhere on the floor.
Small Forward (SF):
The small forward position is considered the most versatile of the main five basketball positions. Small forwards can score, rebound, handle the ball, pass, and defend. They are often quick and strong, and they can draw fouls by aggressively posting up or driving to the basket. As a result, accurate foul shooting is a valuable skill for small forwards. Their versatility allows them to fill multiple roles, making them akin to a "Swiss army knife" on the court.
Power Forward:
Power forwards are expected to use their height and strength to block shots and dominate opponents with their defensive skills. They can also contribute on the offensive end, especially with the evolution of basketball towards a more fast-paced and athletic style.
Center:
The center position is typically reserved for the tallest player on the team. Height is crucial for this position, as they are the primary rim protectors on defence. Centers use their height to block shots and force opponents to take difficult shots from the perimeter. They also play a crucial role in offence, posting up near the rim and creating opportunities for their teammates.
Understanding the specific skills required for each position will help you make informed decisions when building your roster in Basketball GM, allowing you to create a well-rounded and successful team.
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Frequently asked questions
Little symbols next to a player's name represent their key skills. To edit these, go to Tools > Manage Teams. Here, you can add or remove skills by changing what division/conference a team belongs to.
To see what each symbol means, hover your mouse over it or consult the list provided.
To add new skills, you can suggest them to the developer by raising a bug report or feature request.
To reset a player's skills, you can release them from your team and then re-sign them as a free agent.











































