Beginner priority guide
Mode
Tier List.
This ranks what a new player should try first—not hidden strength or reward rates. Every listed mode is verified in the official description.
2v2 Basketball
Best starting point: core controls, bots for practice and friends for team play.
3-Point Contest
Focused shooting practice and an official All-Star challenge.
Dunk Contest
Highlights the game’s signature dunk animations and visual effects.
All-Star Game
Event match tied to the All-Star update and its rewards.
Why 2v2 is first
It exposes the main action set—shooting, passing, stealing, sprinting, dribbling and dunking—and the official listing explicitly supports playing with friends or against bots.
Why event modes share A tier
All three are worthwhile, but they are tied to the All-Star update. Start with the permanent core match format, then choose an event contest based on whether you want shooting, dunks or a full featured game.