Why is shooting so difficult in this game?

[dochalladay32]

I've played the 2K series for years and never really had a problem, but this one seems to just be against me or something. I'm far from the best player but I'm not bad either, but it seems that no matter what difficulty I'm playing on, which I've had to go down to Pro at the moment to even have a chance, but the shooting is just pitiful. I've tried shot timing and I've tried real FG%, which again seems far from being decent. I've tried the shot button and the shot stick. No matter what I use, I'm shooting a pitiful 30-35%. I can't make a short easy layup to save my life. It doesn't matter if I'm playing online or against the CPU. It seems I always run into cheesers obsessed with the Heat online so that doesn't help. Is there some trick I'm missing in this year's game that wasn't around in past years? I would think I should be able to make some layups and short range shots with the likes of Durant and Howard and the like, but I guess not. The game looks great, but when one out of every 10 games or so plays like I feel it should it is ridiculous.

Anyone else see this at all or figure out the trick to making the short "easy" shots?

[VDusen04]

My first suggestion would be to turn on "shot feedback" (I believe located in "Options" then sub-screen "Gameplay"). This provides an excellent reference point for your jumpshot. I admit being skeptical, believing the feedback would take up too much of my screen, but I notice no negatives about it at this point. It's just a great helper in finding each player's release point.

Second, I'd recommend working your way through the offensive tutorial (Game Modes, then "Practice"). There are a number of layup options on demand this year including (but not limited to) the Euro-step, hop step, and reverse pivot. Becoming familiar with all the different options over time should greatly increase your success rate when driving into the paint. For instance, there are numerous occasions where a hop-step will greatly increase your chance of making a layup versus simply attempting a normal finish. There are other occasions where a spin/reverse pivot will do the job, etc.

The third suggestion I suppose would be to alter the sliders, though that's more a last ditch type of fix to me. It is my belief the first two options may offer more assistance.

[Pared]

Shot feedback is a must if you can't grasp the release just from the animations.

You should, however, state how you are playing the game so we can understand how to better help you (in terms of gameplay settings).

[dochalladay32]

I've run through multiple settings with no such luck but I decided I was going to try out the Purist's sliders and see if real % improves at all over earlier experiences. But what makes no sense is I thought that mode didn't depend on timing, yet I was still shooting rather poorly with that setting on. I can go back to shot timing and use the feedback and see how that goes. I might get some unrealistic results slider-wise, but at least I'd be able to manage a reasonable field goal %.

I'll also spend a lot more time in practice. I've run through it a bit, but it is a lot to memorize in regards to all the forms of dunks, layups, and post-up moves that are possible.

[Pared]

I'd avoid sliders and start with default. Most slider sets screw up things that even they don't understand then blame the game.

Learn the game first because you may end up hating something about the game that is actually the fault of the setting. The game is decently balanced out of the box.

Once you get the shooting, then you can either up the difficulty or resort to sim setting with the 3pt shooting raised ever so slightly.

[dochalladay32]

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the tips. I'm glad it is set up, or at least it appears, where I can keep these sliders under custom and then use the default set.

[ABA QontrolZ]

u'' soon see that there's no reason to miss an open shot with a decent shooter when u ll have his release spot on.

contested shot releases can be learnt also but try to avoid em like cholera

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by dochalladay32

I'll also spend a lot more time in practice. I've run through it a bit, but it is a lot to memorize in regards to all the forms of dunks, layups, and post-up moves that are possible.

I was going to mention that as well but I didn't. It's daunting to go through ball handling and post move tutorials while trying to memorize how to do everything. My best advice would be to take a move or two from the tutorial and commit to pulling them off in a game. For instance, see how to pull of the Euro-step and make a concerted effort to find out how you can use it in a real game. After you're comfortable with that move, maybe go learn a couple more.

In all seriousness, you may not believe it, but with a moderate amount of practice, nearly all these moves become second nature. I never thought I'd be able to remember half of what I do on 2K11.