2K CULTURE, TRANSLATED
2K DICTIONARY
NBA 2K has a language of its own. Search the words players use in Park, Rec, Pro-Am, MyCAREER, MyTEAM, streams, party chats and LFG posts.
TERM OF THE DAY
Dominationproper noun · official 2K termA MyTEAM mode built around defeating a series of controlled teams to earn rewards.Not sure where to start? Browse by letter or choose a category.
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172 terms
- 2-3 Zonenoun · basketball termA zone with two defenders higher and three defenders protecting the lower court and baseline.
- 3-2 Zonenoun · basketball termA zone with three defenders across the perimeter and two protecting the lower court.
- Agendanoun · official 2K termA MyTEAM objective that rewards progress for completing specified tasks.
- Animationnoun · official / community termA motion package that controls how a player performs a specific action.
- Animation Requirementnoun · community / analytical termThe attribute and physical conditions needed to equip an animation.
- Ante-Upproper noun · official 2K termA higher-stakes court environment commonly associated with VC wagers and competitive players.
- Archetypenoun · official / community termA broad category describing a player’s main strengths and style.
- Attributenoun · official 2K termA numerical rating for a specific basketball ability.
- Attribute Capnoun · official / community termThe highest value a build can normally reach in a specific attribute.
- Auction Housenoun · official 2K termA marketplace feature used in certain MyTEAM editions to buy and sell eligible cards.
- Backdoor Cutnoun / verb · basketball termA cut behind an overplaying defender toward the basket.
- Backendnoun · competitive 2K slangA versatile defensive frontcourt player who protects the back line and covers multiple roles.
- Badgenoun · official 2K termA gameplay perk that improves or enables a specific basketball action.
- Badge Tiernoun · official / community termA badge’s strength level or placement within a progression system.
- Bailoutnoun / verb · official / community termPassing out of a shot or finishing animation after initially committing to it.
- Ball Hognoun · basketball slangA player who keeps possession too long and rarely passes.
- Basenoun · community / official termThe lower-body and foundational animation of a custom jump shot.
- Bignoun · basketball / community termA taller frontcourt player expected to rebound, screen, protect the rim, and finish or space the floor.
- Black Platenoun · community termThe lowest or starting plate tier in editions that use black as the bottom color.
- Blacktopnoun · official 2K termA pickup-style mode for playing smaller games with selected NBA players or custom settings.
- Blitzverb / noun · basketball / community termAggressively sending two defenders at the ball handler, often during a pick-and-roll.
- Boardnoun · basketball slangA rebound.
- Boxnoun · official 2K termA multi-pack MyTEAM bundle purchased or earned as one larger group.
- Box Outverb / noun · basketball termUsing body position to keep an opponent away from a rebound.
- Bricknoun / verb · basketball slangA badly missed shot, often hitting the rim or backboard hard.
- Bronze Platenoun · community termA lower performance tier above the starting plate in some NBA 2K editions.
- Buildnoun · official / community termThe complete design of a MyPLAYER, including body settings, attributes, badges, animations, and intended role.
- Build Namenoun · official 2K termThe archetype-style label NBA 2K assigns after a MyPLAYER is created.
- Bum Recnoun · legacy community slangA community nickname for lower-overall Rec matchmaking pools used in certain editions.
- Bump Stealnoun · community gameplay termA turnover caused by bodying the ball handler and knocking the ball loose through contact or path disruption.
- Cap Breakernoun · official 2K termA progression reward that can raise an eligible attribute above its original build cap.
- Card Tiernoun · official / community termA rarity or strength category assigned to a MyTEAM player card.
- Casualadjective / noun · general gaming termA player or run focused more on enjoyment than maximum competition.
- Catch-and-Shootnoun / adjective · basketball termA jump shot taken shortly after receiving a pass without extended dribbling.
- Chase-Downnoun / verb · basketball / community termRecovering from behind to block or challenge a fast-break finish.
- Chickenadjective / noun · community slangExtremely reliable shooting or a player who seems unable to miss.
- Chill Runnoun · community slangA low-pressure session where teammates want to play without arguing or excessive criticism.
- Clampsnoun / adjective · basketball / community slangVery strong defense that prevents an opponent from creating a good shot.
- Compadjective / noun · community slangCompetitive, highly organized NBA 2K play or a player who participates in it.
- Contact Dunknoun · official / community termA dunk completed through or over defensive contact.
- Contestnoun / verb · official / basketball termDefensive pressure that reduces the quality of a shot.
- Cookedadjective · general / community slangThoroughly beaten by an opponent, usually on defense.
- Core Badgenoun · legacy official termA badge selected in certain NBA 2K editions to reduce or remove its normal badge-point cost.
- Corner Sitternoun · community slangA player whose main offensive job is spacing in the corner and shooting kick-out passes.
- Crabverb / noun · competitive 2K slangPositioning a defender behind or on the ball handler’s hip to create an open shooting angle.
- Crossplaynoun · general gaming termOnline play between users on different supported platforms.
- Current Gen / New Genphrase · community terminologyCommunity labels used to distinguish different console-generation versions of NBA 2K.
- Curry Slidenoun · legacy community termA popular escape dribble associated with Stephen Curry animations in earlier NBA 2K editions.
- Dexnoun / verb · competitive 2K slangA sharp off-ball direction change timed with a pass to create separation.
- Dominationproper noun · official 2K termA MyTEAM mode built around defeating a series of controlled teams to earn rewards.
- Dotnoun / verb · community slangA precise pass that finds an open teammate, often through a tight window.
- Dribble Godnoun · community slangA player known for chaining many dribble moves to create separation or show mechanical skill.
- Drop Coveragenoun · basketball termPick-and-roll defense where the big stays lower to protect the rim and contain the drive.
- Event Centernoun · official 2K termA location used for limited-time MyCAREER events and special competitions.
- Evolution Cardnoun · official 2K termA MyTEAM card that can improve after completing specified gameplay requirements.
- Fifthnoun · community slangThe final player needed to complete a five-person lineup.
- Fillverb / noun · community slangTo take an open spot or complete an incomplete squad.
- Five-Outnoun · basketball / community termAn alignment with all five offensive players spaced outside or near the three-point line.
- Five-Stacknoun · general gaming slangA coordinated five-player group that entered matchmaking together.
- Floor Generalnoun · basketball / community termA lead playmaker who controls tempo and directs teammates into useful positions.
- Four-Out One-Innoun · basketball termAn alignment with four players spaced outside and one interior player near the rim or screen area.
- Full White / Full Barnoun · community slangA shot timed very close to perfect that does not receive green feedback.
- Gatorade Boostnoun · official / community termA stamina-related consumable or performance boost used in certain NBA 2K editions.
- Ghost Screennoun · basketball termA fake screen where the screener approaches but leaves before contact, usually popping into space.
- Glass Cleanernoun · official / community termA player or build focused on securing rebounds.
- Gold Platenoun · community termA higher performance tier below the top color in some NBA 2K editions.
- Good Vibesphrase · community slangA request for friendly, relaxed, and respectful teammates.
- Greennoun / verb / adjective · official / community slangA perfectly timed shot release that receives green feedback.
- Green Windownoun · community / analytical termThe timing range in which a shot can register as a perfect green release.
- Griefingverb · general gaming termDisrupting a game on purpose to frustrate teammates or opponents.
- Hashnoun · community court-position termThe deep wing area near the hash mark, outside the top of the three-point arc.
- Hash Sitternoun · community slangA player who spaces from the hash and is ready to shoot deep passes or create from the wing.
- Hedgeverb / noun · basketball termA temporary step by the screener’s defender toward the ball handler to slow the drive.
- Help Defensenoun · basketball termLeaving or shading away from an assignment to stop a more immediate scoring threat.
- High IQadjective · community slangA player believed to make smart basketball decisions.
- Horsenoun · basketball / community slangA dominant rebounder who consistently wins difficult boards.
- Icon Passnoun / verb · official / community termPassing directly to a selected teammate using their controller icon.
- Inside Bignoun · community termA big whose offense is concentrated near the rim rather than the three-point line.
- ISOnoun / verb · basketball / community termIsolation offense where one ball handler attacks a defender one-on-one.
- Jumpshotnoun · official / community termThe shooting animation used for standing and moving jump shots.
- Lane Baitverb / noun · community termTemporarily showing a pass as open to tempt the ball handler before jumping the lane.
- Leak Outverb / noun · basketball termLeaving toward the offensive end early to create a fast-break opportunity.
- Left-Rightnoun / verb · community slangRepeatedly changing direction behind a screen or in isolation to force defensive separation.
- LFGabbreviation · general gaming termLooking for group; a post or system used to find teammates.
- Locknoun · community slangA defensive specialist assigned to guard the opponent’s strongest perimeter creator.
- Lock-Inverb / noun · official / community termSubmitting or permanently committing a required card set to receive a collection reward.
- Low IQadjective · community slangA critical label for decisions that ignore basic basketball strategy or game context.
- Man-to-Mannoun · basketball termA defense where each player is primarily assigned to guard a specific opponent.
- MTPabbreviation · official 2K termMyTEAM Points, an in-mode currency used for MyTEAM content.
- MyCAREERproper noun · official 2K termNBA 2K’s career mode centered on a created player’s progression and story.
- MyNBAproper noun · official 2K termNBA 2K’s franchise-management mode for controlling teams, leagues, rosters, and seasons.
- MyPLAYERproper noun · official 2K termA user-created basketball player used in MyCAREER and supported online modes.
- MyTEAMproper noun · official 2K termNBA 2K’s card-collection mode for building and competing with custom player-card lineups.
- Need Onephrase · community slangA squad is one player short and needs a final teammate.
- No Squadsadjective · official / community termA court or queue that blocks premade groups from entering together.
- Off-Ball Defensenoun · basketball / community termDefense played away from the ball against cutters, shooters, and passing actions.
- Old Headnoun · community slangAn older player, or someone associated with traditional basketball preferences.
- On an Islandphrase · basketball slangGuarding a dangerous scorer one-on-one with little or no help.
- On-Ball Defensenoun · basketball / community termDefense played directly against the person controlling the ball.
- Original Owneradjective · official / community termA card status showing that the user obtained the card directly rather than acquiring it from another player marketplace.
- OVRabbreviation · official sports-game abbreviationOverall rating; a summary number representing a player or card’s total rating level.
- Packnoun · official 2K termA randomized MyTEAM item bundle that may contain player cards and other content.
- Paint Beastnoun · official / community termAn interior-focused big known for finishing, rebounding, strength, and rim protection.
- Paint Mashverb / noun · community slangRepeatedly attacking from close range with standing finishes, pump fakes, and interior positioning.
- Paint Sittingnoun / verb · community slangKeeping a defender near the basket instead of following an assignment to the perimeter.
- Parknoun · official / community termSmall-sided online basketball, commonly played as 2v2 or 3v3 on outdoor-style courts.
- Passing Lanenoun · basketball / community termThe path a pass must travel between the ball handler and receiver.
- Pick-and-Popnoun · basketball termA ball-screen action where the screener moves into open shooting space instead of rolling.
- Pick-and-Rollnoun · basketball termA ball-screen action where the screener rolls toward the basket after setting the pick.
- Plate Colornoun · official / community termA visible color tier used in some NBA 2K editions to summarize recent performance or status.
- Point Centernoun · basketball / community termA center who facilitates offense through passing and decision-making.
- Point Forwardnoun · basketball / community termA forward-sized player who performs major ball-handling and playmaking duties.
- Point Guardnoun · basketball / official termThe position usually responsible for bringing up the ball and organizing the offense.
- Poppernoun · community slangA screening big who is expected to pop to open shooting space after setting a pick.
- Post Scoreverb / noun · community / basketball termCreating points from post position using strength, footwork, hooks, fades, spins, or dropsteps.
- Primary Ball Handlernoun · community / basketball termThe player who controls most possessions and initiates the offense.
- Pro-Amnoun · official 2K termAn organized team mode for custom squads competing in structured games.
- Proving Groundsproper noun · official 2K termA competitive online environment designed to test players in ranked or higher-stakes games.
- Purple Platenoun · community termA top or near-top visible performance tier in editions that use purple as the highest plate color.
- Quick Stopnoun / verb · community gameplay termStopping movement quickly enough to take a controlled jump shot.
- Rage Quitverb / noun · general gaming slangLeaving a game because of anger or frustration.
- Randomnoun · community slangA teammate you did not choose and do not already know.
- Recnoun · official / community termFive-on-five online basketball played with MyPLAYER builds in a recreation-center setting.
- Releasenoun · community / official termThe upper-body portion and timing point of a jump-shot animation.
- REPabbreviation · official 2K termA long-term online progression system tied to playing and completing community activities.
- Rim Runverb / noun · community slangDriving directly toward the basket to score at the rim.
- Rim Runnernoun · community slangA player who repeatedly attacks the basket, often prioritizing drives over jump shots.
- Rotateverb · basketball termMoving to cover an open player or area after the defense helps, switches, or traps.
- Runnoun / verb · community slangA session of playing NBA 2K online with other people.
- Run It Backphrase · basketball slangPlay another game with the same teammates or against the same opponents.
- Run Nownoun · 2KCommunity product termA live teammate request from someone who is actively looking to play.
- Salary Capproper noun · official 2K termA MyTEAM mode where a lineup must remain under a set salary limit.
- Screennoun / verb · basketball termA legal attempt by an offensive player to block a defender’s path and create space.
- Screen Cheesenoun · community slangRepeatedly relying on strong screens and game animations to create open shots.
- Seasonnoun · official 2K termA limited-time content period with rewards, events, challenges, and progression tracks.
- Secondary Ball Handlernoun · community / basketball termA second creator who can relieve pressure and run offense when the primary handler is denied.
- Sellingverb · community slangPlaying badly enough to cost the team possessions or the game.
- Shot Meternoun · official 2K termAn on-screen timing guide for shots and certain finishing attempts.
- Silver Platenoun · community termA middle performance tier in some NBA 2K editions.
- Skill Boostsnoun · official 2K termConsumable boosts that improve selected gameplay categories for a limited number of games.
- Slashernoun · basketball / official termA player or build focused on attacking the basket off drives and cuts.
- Slipverb / noun · basketball termLeaving a screen early and cutting before making full contact.
- Solo Recnoun · community termPlaying Rec without entering as a premade group.
- Spot-Upnoun / adjective · basketball / community termA player who scores mainly from stationary catch-and-shoot opportunities.
- Squad Findernoun · official / general termA feature that helps players assemble groups for online modes.
- Squad Upverb · community slangTo form a group and play an online mode together.
- Stacknoun / verb · general gaming slangA premade group of players, often with strong chemistry or deliberately optimized roles.
- Streaknoun / verb · official / community termA sequence of consecutive wins.
- Stretch Bignoun · basketball / community termA big who can shoot well enough to pull the opposing rim protector away from the basket.
- Sweatnoun · general gaming slangA player or squad that treats the game with unusually high intensity.
- Switchverb / noun · basketball termExchanging defensive assignments during a screen or off-ball action.
- Takeovernoun · official 2K termA temporary performance boost earned through strong play.
- Takeover Meternoun · official 2K termThe progress indicator that fills as a player performs positive actions toward Takeover.
- Team Ballnoun · community slangA style built around passing, spacing, defense, and shared decision-making.
- Teammate Gradenoun · official 2K termAn in-game grade that rises or falls based on team-oriented actions and mistakes.
- The Cityproper noun · official 2K termThe shared online hub that connects MyCAREER activities, courts, stores, quests, and social spaces in recent NBA 2K editions.
- Theaternoun · official 2K termA venue for rotating online game types and special rule sets.
- Thresholdnoun · community / analytical termA specific attribute value required to unlock a badge, animation, takeover, or gameplay benefit.
- Throwingverb · general gaming termIntentionally or recklessly giving away a winnable game.
- Toxicadjective · general gaming termHostile, abusive, or deliberately unpleasant behavior toward other players.
- Trapverb / noun · basketball termUsing two defenders to contain the ball handler and remove easy escape routes.
- Triple Threatproper noun · official 2K termA three-on-three MyTEAM format played with a small card lineup.
- Triple Threat Parkproper noun · official 2K termA MyTEAM multiplayer environment that brings card lineups into a Park-style setting.
- Tryhardnoun · general gaming slangA player perceived as trying excessively hard, especially in a casual setting.
- Tryna Runphrase · community slangA casual way to ask whether someone wants to play NBA 2K right now.
- Two-Wayadjective · basketball / official termA player or build designed to contribute meaningfully on both offense and defense.
- Unlimitedproper noun · official 2K termA competitive MyTEAM mode that allows broad lineup construction without the restrictions of budget formats.
- VCabbreviation · official 2K termVirtual Currency used for upgrades and digital items across NBA 2K modes.
- Visual Cuenoun · official / community termA visible moment in the shooting motion used to time the release.
- Win Percentagenoun · statistical termThe percentage of recorded games a player or team has won.
- XPabbreviation · general gaming / official termExperience points used to advance a level or reward track.
- Zonenoun · basketball termA defense where players protect areas of the court rather than following one opponent everywhere.
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