Defending the Pick-and-Roll in NBA 2k8

[RaychelSnr]

Jeremy Hartman checks in on this Saturday with a look at defending the tough pick-and-roll in NBA 2k8.

Quote:

"Last week we discussed utilizing the pick-and-roll to your advantage while playing NBA 2K8. The pick-and-roll can be used in NBA 2K8 almost to the point of being called “cheesy” by your opponents. With that in mind, the question now becomes, “How do you defend the play?” This week, we will attempt to answer that question. "

[Sovartus]

What I have learned about defending the pick and roll is that the defensive AI doesn't really have a clue. The best method for me has been recognizing it coming (like calling out pick in real life) and switching to the defender guarding the man setting the pick. Now the defender guarding the ball handler is controlled by AI and does a better job of fighting through or recovering. This way the guy rolling is guarded and help defense can be your last line of defense against the drive. You can do that by icon switching to a shot blocker to help cut off the lane.

The biggest issue I have noticed with 2K's defensive AI isn't actually the pick and roll, it's that the defenders involved become confused so easily. A ball handler can simply dribble between a teammate and his defender to draw a temporary double team, leaving the teammate open for a quick shot. Once again, you have to use the early switch method to prevent it.

I agree, this is something that 2K must do a much better job with next year.

[KBs Magic]

Honestly i feel they made the game the way it is so we can play if the pick and roll wasn't like it is we would be watching the game instead of playing it.
I'm in a league in Washington DC and pick and roll is least of worrys, even with the double team confusion, like if u need pointers on that I don't have any problem telling u how to stop it, I know the pick & roll is all about timing
my friends hate to do it on me becuz 9 out 11 times i'm gonna hit it or steal the ball

[edubbs]

The pick and roll game needs to be overhauled for NBA2K9. The execution of the pick and roll is waaay off in this game. Not to mention, you rarely see pick and pops from the AI.

No game to date has implemented the pick and roll correctly in a sim. With the the 2k series they REALLY need to iron out the court spacing/player to court size ratio issues before getting the execution part right.

Right now, there just does not 'seem' to be enough room on the court (spacing wise) to implement better pick and rolls in the game.

Hopefully the Devs spent ALOT of time revamping this play because, it's a staple of soo many team's offenses. The AI needs to utilize variations of the pick and roll MUCH MORE in NBA2K9.

Teams like the Suns, Hornets, Cavs, Spurs, etc. should be programmed to run some variation of the pick and roll 90% of the time when on offense.

VC really needs to separate the teams that use the pick and roll almost exclusively in their half court sets, when doing the playbooks for 2k9.

Watching this year's playoffs made me realise that the Hornets and Suns in particular, do not run nothing but the pick and roll.

Both of these team's offenses consist of CP3 and Nash running multiple pick and rolls almost everytime down court.

It would be nice to see their team's offensive playstyles reflected better in 2k9.

Maybe, a new team slider called 'utilizes pick and roll' would help also.

[joker]

Quote: Originally Posted by KBs Magic

Honestly i feel they made the game the way it is so we can play if the pick and roll wasn't like it is we would be watching the game instead of playing it. I'm in a league in Washington DC and pick and roll is least of worrys, even with the double team confusion, like if u need pointers on that I don't have any problem telling u how to stop it, I know the pick & roll is all about timing my friends hate to do it on me becuz 9 out 11 times i'm gonna hit it or steal the ball

care to share ?

[elprez98]

Quote: Originally Posted by KBs Magic

Honestly i feel they made the game the way it is so we can play if the pick and roll wasn't like it is we would be watching the game instead of playing it. I'm in a league in Washington DC and pick and roll is least of worrys, even with the double team confusion, like if u need pointers on that I don't have any problem telling u how to stop it, I know the pick & roll is all about timing my friends hate to do it on me becuz 9 out 11 times i'm gonna hit it or steal the ball

He's correct. The issue is making sure you don't commit too early on defense. The better pick and rollers will wait until you are not in passing lane, which usually occurs after the pick has been set and the offensive player starts to cut to the basket. If you frustrate your opponent with a few steals or deflections in a row, they will temporarily abandon the technique.

[joker]

Quote: Originally Posted by elprez98

He's correct. The issue is making sure you don't commit too early on defense. The better pick and rollers will wait until you are not in passing lane, which usually occurs after the pick has been set and the offensive player starts to cut to the basket. If you frustrate your opponent with a few steals or deflections in a row, they will temporarily abandon the technique.

so you guys are saying on a pick n roll, you usually are the PF/C defender and steal the incomming passes from the PG when the opponent PF/C is rolling to the basket ?

do u guys press steal button or jump up button to deflect it ?

[cardinalbird5]

Everytime I see it coming I double team. I always double ball screens, offline or online. I force the ball out of the hands of whoever is trying to run off the screen. You just have to make sure you rotate correctly and close out on the shooters. Once they pass out of the double team you need to close out, then the rest of your defense should find a man to recover in time.