NBA The Run is a new arcade-style basketball game that offers nearly 40 players to use in an online streetball environment. A majority of the available players are real NBA All-Stars, and there are some players represented twice, once as their modern self and again as rookies. The game also features some fictional characters who excel in specific areas on the court.
As you'll quickly find out by scrolling through the entire lineup, each player has unique attributes and one of several Zone Abilities. These stats are mostly dependent on what the player is proficient at in real life, so you'll mostly know what you're getting if you're familiar with a particular player. However, NBA The Run adds its own stats and prioritizes certain categories over others, making some players much more dominant than others.
If you're unsure of which NBA The Run player to use when running tournaments, you can check out our list of the top five best players currently in the game. We'll also offer some good player choices to combo with each of our picks.
In This Article- Victor Wembanyama
- Stephen Curry
- Anthony Davis
- Anthony Edwards
- Tyrese Maxey
When there's a seven-foot freak-athlete in a basketball game, they're likely going to be among the best players available. It's no different in NBA The Run, as Victor Wembanyama is without question the top player out of the current lineup. Featuring the best block stat and maxed-out 2s, dunks, guard, rebound, and aura stats, Wemby is a force to be reckoned with on the court.
While Wemby is best used as a paint player, you can easily spread him out on the perimeter on offense. On defense, just stick him under the basket and use his height to block shots left and right.
Best Combination Player - Ja Morant
For Wemby's playstyle, you want a player alongside him who moves with more speed, and Ja Morant is definitely that type of player. Morant can facilitate the ball to Wemby on offense, play perimeter defense, and burn defenses with his speed to set up Wemby with easy passes.
Stephen CurryThere was never much of a doubt that Steph Curry was going to be a top option in NBA The Run. While there are two versions of Curry, we're opting for his default player, which has maxed-out 2s and 3s stats along with handles, passes, stamina, and aura.
While Curry's defense leaves something to be desired, he's supposed to be a purely offensive player anyway. Just use Curry's high stamina to get open on offense, launch threes from all over the court, and you'll have defenses starting to double-team you.
Best Combination Player - Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum is a terrific all-around player in NBA The Run, as he doesn't really lack in any one area. He also has a great passing stat, which means he can get the ball to Curry for more threes. Tatum's special ability enhances his passing as well, which works well with Curry's ability that boosts his shooting.
Anthony DavisAnthony Davis might not have been many players' first guess for a top pick in NBA The Run, but his stats tell the whole story. AD has six maxed-out stats and is right next to Wemby as the best defensive bigs in the entire game. On offense, AD can stretch the floor and play down low or on the outside, depending on the other players in your lineup.
While Davis isn't going to hit every three-pointer, he's certainly serviceable enough to hit an open shot. He also has a great passing stat, which only makes him more useful anywhere on the court.
Best Combination Player - Jalen Brunson
With AD working on the outside and down low on offense, you need a player to wander around the perimeter so they can wait for a time to strike. Jalen Brunson is one of the best shooters in NBA The Run, but he also has superb handling and passing. So, whether AD has the ball or is waiting for it, Brunson can accommodate.
Anthony EdwardsSurprisingly, Anthony Edwards has one of the best stat pages in the entirety of NBA The Run. He has eight maxed-out stats, with four of those coming in the offensive section. Edwards is easily one of the best offensive players in the game, with high power, speed, and stamina also working in his favor.
Whether you want to use Ant as a high-powered dunking machine or a perimeter shooter, he'll excel.
Best Combination Player - Nikola Jokic
While you can pair speed and speed with Edwards, we're opting for a player to help slow things down. Nikola Jokic also has fantastic offensive stats, but also terrific rebounding, which will help whenever Ant misses a dunk or shot. Of course, you can also use Jokic as a sharpshooter with Edwards' great passing.
Tyrese MaxeyClosing out our list is another surprise, as Tyrese Maxey is a defensive powerhouse with great offensive stats. In the current state of NBA The Run, stealing and blocking shots are very easy to do, so having a player that can do both effectively while also being able to dominate in multiple ways on offense is quite valuable.
Maxey is one of the best players in the game at turning defense into offense. He has the speed to dribble all the way down the court after a turnover, but also the shooting stats to dominate on the perimeter.
Best Combination Player - Giannis Antetokounmpo
Who better to pair with Maxey than another defensive and offensive powerhouse in Giannis Antetokounmpo? Giannis might not be able to match Maxey's speed, but he provides a taller presence on the court that can make use of Maxey's passing stats as well as gobble up any rebounds in the post.
NBA The Run is out now on PC, Xbox, and PS5.
