NBA 2K12 Developer Insight #9 - Defense

[Sam Marlowe]

Quote: Originally Posted by Beluba

fatleg, it's not that we consider playing offball D an invalid playing style. the decision to tune user-controlled onball defenders differently than AI-controlled defenders was a result of a longstanding balancing issue. The fact is, most humans can't react to shooters the same way our AI defenders can. That's amplified online. We simply wanted to give users who prefer to play onball defense an aid to level the playing field with the AI. You'll just have to trust me for now... but I spent a lot of time tuning the shot penalties so as not to sway the balance in the other direction. IMO, 2K12 strikes a good balance for both camps (offball and onball D users.) But just for the record... I do think it's more manly to play onball D.

From the man himself. Fair enough.

[DukeC]

@beluba

While you're still here, I know it's probably too late for 2k12, but for 2k13 could you think of implementing the option of being able to stop And 1 plays with a close defender?

Say D-Rose drives to the hoop and gets bumped on the way by Rondo. While Rose is adjusting his shot in mid-air (the whistle having already been blown) someone like Garnett for instance would be able to rotate and swat away the ball, thereby negating the chance for an And 1 instead of the animation playing out and everyone is standing still?

Or is this already possible?

[eko718]

I am just lost for words really. There has never been a basketball game with this much detail put into the defensive end of the floor.

[infam0us]

Quote: Originally Posted by DukeC

@beluba While you're still here, I know it's probably too late for 2k12, but for 2k13 could you think of implementing the option of being able to stop And 1 plays with a close defender? Say D-Rose drives to the hoop and gets bumped on the way by Rondo. While Rose is adjusting his shot in mid-air (the whistle having already been blown) someone like Garnett for instance would be able to rotate and swat away the ball, thereby negating the chance for an And 1 instead of the animation playing out and everyone is standing still? Or is this already possible?

I don't remember seeing this in 2k11 but in previous 2k games there were times where I would swat the ball away after the foul. Problem was they never took into account goaltending

[kolanji]

well we will all stop the guessing and assuming game come Tuesday when the demo drops baby

[Kaanyr Vhok]

Quote: Originally Posted by Beluba

fatleg, it's not that we consider playing offball D an invalid playing style. the decision to tune user-controlled onball defenders differently than AI-controlled defenders was a result of a longstanding balancing issue. The fact is, most humans can't react to shooters the same way our AI defenders can. That's amplified online.

I see what you mean. There were times when I was playing on ball against a player like Nowitzki or Derron Williams and it seemed like no matter what I was going to be late contesting so the only solution was to reach or double to throw off their rhythm. I can live with Dirk hitting some shots in a defender's face but what messed things up was the feeling that you couldnt even contest without pump fake fouling because you were a step slow and you couldnt time the pump fake with the steal (one of the few or only areas where 2k10 was better than 11).

[amedawg00]

Quote: Originally Posted by Beluba

But just for the record... I do think it's more manly to play onball D.

First Jerson in the insight, and now Beluba, validating the preeminence of on ball defense in user vs. user competition. Whose next Simballer?

On ball defense FTW again!

[Rdub33]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yeah...THAT Guy

Not sure if this has been addressed, but I assume that if you're playing defense with the hands up thing, that it makes you more vulnerable to get beaten by dribble penetration so that people can't just sit there with their hands up the entire game and make your shooting percentage much lower?

Exactly... That's why it's not an advantage to play on ball... It's just more manly! Any one who comes running out all willy nilly with their hands up should give up paint points and fouls. Making people pay for bad defense is not cheese. Playing bad on ball defense is.

With that said I do think if off ball is your thing, u should be free to do that, but u have to live with the results if your not willing to manually sway the results.