Virtual currency is the fuel that keeps your NBA 2K career going, no matter what mode you're playing. One of the quickest ways to earn that sweet, sweet virtual only requires you to be a good teammate. The Starting 5 mode plugs your MyPlayer into the NBA lineup of your choice, with your four teammates controlled by the AI. You'll face other MyPlayers running the same way.
Whether you win the game or not isn't even relevant. You want an A- teammate grade, which is really easy to get. I can pull it off consistently with my created player, who's currently 61 overall. Getting assists does it. Passes that lead to fouls do it. You're going to play within the offense and let your team's stars be stars.
If your MyPlayer is powerful enough to dictate the course of the game, then by all means do so. But you don't need to drop 40 to get a great teammate grade. It's possible to get an A- just by getting assists and properly defending your man.
That A- teammate grade can get you 1,000 VC in about 10 minutes. Also, sometimes your opponents will quit, allowing you to get the rewards even faster than that. You're also gaining XP, getting you closer to level 40 and all the wonderful rewards that come with that.
In selecting a team, you'll want a squad that you can fit seamlessly into. If you're a point guard, you don't want to play for the Lakers as you'll replace Luka Doncic in the starting lineup. If you're a center, you don't want to pull Victor Wembanyama out of the Spurs lineup because you've gained nothing.
I'm a point guard and I've been running with the Minnesota Timberwolves. I don't take anybody important out of the lineup and get to run with Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and pick-and-roll god Rudy Gobert.