What's More Important?: Learn the Sticks or Learn the Offense

[SpSoloSr]

I've been watching a lot of the pre-release videos and seeing guys really struggle with not only executing ballhandling skills, but also having hard times working through the offenses on certain teams. A lot of bad habits are definitely going to be snapped in 2K11 which begs me to ask these questions:

- Which would be the best to master first, the playcalling and executing or the ballhandling and isolation skills?

- What is the learning curve going to be for not only the guys picking up the series for the first time or in a long time, but also for guys who've been with the series for awhile?

- Do you guys see yourselves more in the practice gym refining things before you put it into competition, or just going through the games and learning on the fly?

[Boilerbuzz]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpSoloSr

I've been watching a lot of the pre-release videos and seeing guys really struggle with not only executing ballhandling skills, but also having hard times working through the offenses on certain teams. A lot of bad habits are definitely going to be snapped in 2K11 which begs me to ask these questions: - Which would be the best to master first, the playcalling and executing or the ballhandling and isolation skills? - What is the learning curve going to be for not only the guys picking up the series for the first time or in a long time, but also for guys who've been with the series for awhile? - Do you guys see yourselves more in the practice gym refining things before you put it into competition, or just going through the games and learning on the fly?

I certainly hope it's learn the offense. I'm going to go with that. I prefer a game that values the knowledge of the game more than the dexterity of the thumbs...

[23]

I just played tonight at a good friends house.

Definitely the plays and getting open shots are most important.

The AI is more ummm physical in the final and dont let you pull moves off willy nilly as easy as the demo and just usher an open lane to you all the time

[Gotmadskillzson]

The offense is more important. The controls really aren't that different from the past. And if you are new to the series, the controls aren't that complicated, it can be learned in an hour or less.

I mean honestly you don't have to know the advanced controls in order to play the game. However you do have to learn the offense. That is what separates street ballers from organized ballers.

Street ballers may have sick crossovers, but all of that is useless in organized play. I mean why do you think some of the most preppy small schools constantly upset big name schools every year in march madness and in high schools across the nation ?

Because they know the fundementals of the game. Sound fundementals will always beat flashy 1 on 1 play. Basketball is a team sport.

[SpSoloSr]

Quote: Originally Posted by 23

I just played tonight at a good friends house. Definitely the plays and getting open shots are most important. The AI is more ummm physical in the final and dont let you pull moves off willy nilly as easy as the demo and just usher an open lane to you all the time

I'm sure you were playing on a much more difficult level... which one in particular and who'd you use just out of curiosity.

[SpSoloSr]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gotmadskillzson

The offense is more important. The controls really aren't that different from the past. And if you are new to the series, the controls aren't that complicated, it can be learned in an hour or less. I mean honestly you don't have to know the advanced controls in order to play the game. However you do have to learn the offense. That is what separates street ballers from organized ballers. Street ballers may have sick crossovers, but all of that is useless in organized play. I mean why do you think some of the most preppy small schools constantly upset big name schools every year in march madness and in high schools across the nation ? Because they know the fundementals of the game. Sound fundementals will always beat flashy 1 on 1 play. Basketball is a team sport.

Definitely agree, I'm just a little intimidated. Don't wanna develop bad habits but also don't wanna get annihilated every game either. I just wanna be assured that the time and money I invest will not produce frustration and doubt.

[..GameOver..]

I think both are important. I don't see why you can't work on both at the same time?

[Jano]

Learning the sticks is going to be very important as it always in 2K. This game requires you to pay attention to the smallest details when attempting to get past the defender.

You can't just watch and react imo you have to take into account where the defender is and try to use his momentum against him. In theory this seems easy but in game it can be pretty difficult to master.

Its not as simple as ok a crossover would work here I'm going to do it, theres more to it then that. Its once you've mastered the movement (or at least become competent) that plays and running the offense will be important.

To me if you can't properly break down your defender off the dribble or kill him in the post the plays won't matter much. All you'll be doing is getting yourself in the best position to score which is nice in its own right but won't be all that valuable until you learn the controls.

That's how I feel about guys new to the series or those that haven't played it in a while. Getting down the player movement and knowing how to competently attack the defense should be the first thing they try to figure out.

Lol! I know practice mode is going to be my main mode for a while because I haven't really sat down and committed myself to playing a 2K bball game since 2K8.