Rant: Helping you out of necessity and insipid rage

[The Fight]

Hello people,

For those of you who don't know me, let the next few sentences serve as an introduction to you all. I'm a "lurker" when it comes to posting anything on Operation Sports (although, I've stepped it up recently). I joined this site in September after watching a Czar video and feeling compelled to comment on his 10 Teams, 10 Days video (OKC) and after reading a few more entries on the site, I became hooked and this site has laid my soul many times during my commute to and from work. When I signed up and saw the sheer amount of threads and amount of replies on those threads for almost all the forums I was interested in, I knew that there were people, no, gamers who took sports games as seriously as I do.

Man, for the most part, I should have done more research.

While I am perturbed with how many people complain about the difficulty of the passing game and other difficulty levels, I am straight dismayed at the amount of people who slam 2K11 on non-gameplay related areas (jersey, shoes, court color, socks, sleeves and headbands). I don't want the Kwame Brown of video games. I don't want a game to look good from a far but absolutely sucks at the fundamentals. I don't care that Josh Childress' 'fro isn't fresh, I care if his shot feels like its a jumping chest pass to the rim. I don't care if Durant's face doesn't look as rigid and as half pock marked as the he does in real life, I care that his shot release and mid-range game are as silky and game-domineering as it in in real life.

Moving on to where I want to get to, In playing the game for some time now, I realize that there are a number of you still struggling to beat the computer (or anyone for that matter) on All-Star or higher and resort to changing gameplay sliders in an attempt to get the game to be "more-realistic" (easier to beat). At first this made me laugh, then I started seeing more Gameplay Slider threads. It aggravates me now to see these threads pop up and gain more and more views on this site so I've decided to take it upon myself to put out what I know to help people win games without altering any CPU tendency or game play slider.

(Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I normally play on 70 GS, 100 free throw difficulty, shot stick timing and HOF/Sim. I like my game nice and difficult. )

What I Got:

1. Winning on difficulty levels higher than Pro requires you to be anywhere from above average to mastery level at fundamental basketball and 2K movements (isomotion, triple threat moves, post moves, directional/icon lead passing and staying in front of your man with out the lock-down D button). I won't get into the key combinations for all of the fundamentals (maybe one or two), but I will reference them occasionally.

2. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Learn about the team you are about to play by looking at their tendencies (2K even put a little "new" tag on the option to get you to look). Adjust your coaching settings to counter what the offense likes to do. Key example: Amar'e likes to SCORE from the post (seriously, it's around 50%), maybe you want to play tight and double team him down there? After he begins passing out of the double team, maybe you want to play the person who he is kicking it out to the most a little tighter off the ball? Concerted defensive effort on 2 scoring options sounds like a scheme to me...

3. Tip off's are not won by mashing on the jump button. It's timing, akin to grabbing a rebound. As the ball approaches its highest point, move the right stick (sorry not doing PS3 translations in this thread, took too long). Alternatively, at the ball's highest point, press Y.

4. Passing and dribbling should be done with/for a purpose. Period. Working the ball around to get a good look sounds good conceptually but with out even a quick play, don't expect your players to do much.

5. For the purposes of this thread, getting into a half court offense without calling a play is called "free flow." A free flow offense has its advantages and disadvantages. On difficulty levels higher than Rookie, you will not be able to just run around with *insert superstar here*, crossing over whomever you want and expect to get to the basket in free flow...without help.

6*. If you want to get to the basket easier, make a driving lane for your player. Lets use the Blazers for example. Lets say you want to drive to the basket with Nico Batum (maybe Pau Gasol is under the rim again ). Chances are, Oden and Batum are on the same side of the court. Without calling the quick isolation play (because those are painfully obvious and should probably be called only when you have a big mis-match), get the ball to Oden by using icon lead passing to bring him to the free throw line. He's not a threat from there but you don't care, you just want to bring his man (probably a Center) away from the rim. If you move toward Batum with Oden once you pass the ball, Batum will start to move (either toward the corner three or to the basket). Once Oden and Batum are level with each other, use icon lead passing to lead Batum to the basket with a full head of steam. If you have the angle for a dunk, while driving, wait till you get about a step away from the block before you press the stick. If you are going to be challenged, don't be afraid to gauge and use the step back jumper or hesitation (just tap the left trigger while driving). You wont be able to spam this for a number of reasons (namely because Oden is a terrible passer and has no ball security), but if it's there for you take it. Better still, there are plays that do the same thing but I know people get lazy.

7. Number Six was pretty wordy. There's another way to do a what amounts to a give and go. Pull both triggers and press A. You will notice that a singular direct pass icon will appear above the person who made the first pass. That player (generally) will now dive to the basket, press A when appropriate to pass the ball.

8*. On-Ball Defense in 2K is NOT just pressing the left trigger and trying to stay in front of your man. In actuality, without holding down the left trigger, you can stay in front of your man fairly easily (and more effectively). Use the left trigger sparingly while on the ball (obvious isomotion moves, steal attempts). Off the ball, left trigger allows you to hold/deny the ball. THIS IS CRUCIAL. If you play against someone (like me) who uses Icon passing heavily, then someone is being held/denied the ball *not in the post*, the passing system actually wont pass the ball. That little change alters the rhythm of the offense (especially all those Kobe happy folks out there) and can lead to turnovers. Blocking is a function of timing, challenging a shot is fundamental to good D. Basically, without using turbo, and using a decent shot blocker, if you time your block like that player is timing his shot, it will be defended pretty well (this is a good reason to practice shot timing with the shot stick and with the shot button. seriously, the timing is very similar). Lastly, good defense ends with a rebound. Direct switching to the man closest to the rim when the shot goes up takes practice but it's well worth it.

9*. Play calling. Learn it. Do it. Period. Free flow is basically for icon lead passing but is much more effective if you run your set offense. Learn your favorite teams tendencies, then, call plays that get your players the ball where they like it. It's best to have a gauge on how long it takes to run certain plays and how many scoring options you have on a particular play (in case your break it on purpose). If you have two guys warming up or on fire at the same time (here's looking at you Heat fans), it's criminal not to run a/the play (I mean THE play, Heat fans) that gives you two mean looks for your scoring options.

10*. More play calling goodness. Since this is my last one for now, allow me to show off a little bit more. STARTING different people out of their natural position changes your playbook. If you watched Czar's videos, you get a pretty good idea of this. The biggest difference is, when the normal starting person at the position comes in, their plays ALSO change. This is something very interesting. I love starting 2 shooting guards as opposed to a PG and a SG. Teams like Atlanta, Minnesota, NY, OKC, i could go on...can do this, and thus, if you play against someone who plays like with those teams, YOU CAN GIVE THEM COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LOOKS. Use Atlanta for example. Start a Crawford at the point (I prefer Jordan right now). Bring in Jamal to give Jordan a spell at the point and you get nasty plays for Jamal Crawford that you wouldn't have gotten him if you started him at point or the 2 (12 Fade is a nasty option). Better yet, Heat fans, you want to see something funny? Bench Bosh, start a different 3, and move Lebron to the 4. Have fun with the play calls when Bosh is back in the lineup. In staying with giving teams completely different looks, learn more than the assigned plays for your team. "Generic" plays work wonders for second option scorers (Hey Bulls fan's you reading this? Let me help you out, learn 14 Hi Iso). All in all, call plays that exploit your mis-matches (Ice Plays) or force switches (Rub, Dub, Double, Triple plays).

* = Practice it for a better understanding.

I'm out. Feel free to respond however you want or ask questions. I'll respond to everything.

[CX1329]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Fight

resort to changing gameplay sliders in an attempt to get the game to be "more-realistic" (easier to beat). At first this made me laugh, then I started seeing more Gameplay Slider threads. It aggravates me now to see these threads pop up and gain more and more views on this site so I've decided to take it upon myself to put out what I know to help people win games without altering any CPU tendency or game play slider.

This is where you lost me. Even 2K included 3 sets of sliders in the game, as presets for different game styles. It's not about making the game easier or more difficult, it's about making the game more realistic and more reminiscent of real-life NBA basketball. Your attitude comes across as holier-than-thou when you make such claims about an entire community comprised of slider specialists and users.

Edit: That said, I do like your tips. Just not the slider rant.

[The Fight]

Quote: Originally Posted by CX1329

This is where you lost me. Even 2K included 3 sets of sliders in the game, as presets for different game styles. It's not about making the game easier or more difficult, it's about making the game more realistic and more reminiscent of real-life NBA basketball. Your attitude comes across as holier-than-thou when you make such claims about an entire community comprised of slider specialists and users. Edit: That said, I do like your tips. Just not the slider rant.

Fair point and true point. I'm not afraid of going that holier-than-thou route on this one. I hate playing people online who try to play glitch ball because they have relied on the sliders for too long.

With that being said, there are those who spend a lot of time tweaking gameplay sliders to lesson things like bumping players on the perimeter (which is funny after watching Boston v. Miami and then watching Batum and Roy get smacked everytime the ventured below the three point line), help defense and the like.

I'm not so sure that it's the game that needs to be tweaked as much as it's that person's game. To me, if you are getting bumped all the time, you should run plays that have delays or long curls. The problem with that is the assumption that people run plays (or that they even touched any of the coaching settings; namely the one that shows full play art). More-than-likely, the situation really is: (thinking): "why cant I just blow by everyone with Kobe/Wade/LBJ, god stop bumping me!"

Again, fair points and thanks.

[CX1329]

Now we're on the same page. I use thefuture's sliders, and at first, I'd get beaten all the time, because they really are gameplay tweaks rather than cheap CPU nerfing. I, however, switched to the 2K camera (because broadcast is horrible for playing defense, in my experience), and learned to run plays often and play good defense, now I'm having a great time. It's like Da Czar said, you have to play basketball, not video games.

I feel that the sliders I use only make the game play more like NBA ball, and they do require me to be honest. Going a long stretch without running plays usually causes me to start missing every shot, for instance. Then, I have to slow the game down and try to stop the drought. Additionally, mismatches work like they should. For instance, I was playing against the Clippers and it was 3 point land, because I'd dominate with Aldridge down low, attract the double or triple team, then kick it out to Roy or Batum for an easy 3.

2K11 is the best sports game ever.

[The Fight]

Quote: Originally Posted by CX1329

Now we're on the same page. I use thefuture's sliders, and at first, I'd get beaten all the time, because they really are gameplay tweaks rather than cheap CPU nerfing. I, however, switched to the 2K camera (because broadcast is horrible for playing defense, in my experience), and learned to run plays often and play good defense, now I'm having a great time. It's like Da Czar said, you have to play basketball, not video games. I feel that the sliders I use only make the game play more like NBA ball, and they do require me to be honest. Going a long stretch without running plays usually causes me to start missing every shot, for instance. Then, I have to slow the game down and try to stop the drought. Additionally, mismatches work like they should. For instance, I was playing against the Clippers and it was 3 point land, because I'd dominate with Aldridge down low, attract the double or triple team, then kick it out to Roy or Batum for an easy 3. 2K11 is the best sports game ever.

Actually that's just the thing. I guess It's a fundamental difference between you and I. I believe the longer you play (minutes per game), the more realistic the gameplay. Not altering the sliders. Not that you are disputing this but, runs are a part of the game (actually run starting/busting is going to be number 12 on my next list, depends on people's responses here). The way you recover from them is just as critical as any other part of the game. In free flow, you can go a number of times down the court without calling a play but a good look is a good look. I'll break plays intentionally depending on the look or the angle. The key is to stay patient (and not just chuck something up because you aren't calling a set play). When you get more comfortable, you can start creating plays on the fly (number 14).

I've gotten to the point where I call plays to get a certain look/force the D to a spot, not necessarily to get the primary scorer going. Of course you need to establish this by calling and executing plays but as the game wears on, you have to adapt to what the D is showing you (and how you manipulate it). Note: I play on the 2K Camera also with the height on 1. I posted the stats to my VIP on here in "the game's not broken, you are" thread.


The topics for the next set of ten

What to do when you are getting your a%^ kicked:

11. How to identify who and what's beating you (yourself or your opponent)

12. Run Stopping and Starting

13. Coaching emphasis/ Coaching settings

14. Breaking plays, free flow cutting

15. Pressure D's

16. Zone D's

17. Timeout Usage

18. Inbound plays

19. Attacking man/zone D with specific types of plays; why plays break

20. Optimizing mis-matches

Again, good looks.

[harper6464]

Pretty good post except for that sliders thing. That was homosexual. I'd say the vast majority of the people on this board are just looking for a realistic experience. Furthermore dr. Douchenstein I can't say I've ever seen a post on here claiming that anyone would prefer accurate tattoo's over quality gameplay as you insinuate.

You nailed the strategy stuff though. And the being a pretentious turd thing. The strategy and being a pretentious turd thing I should say.

[JBH3]

Holy novels Batman!

I'll have to read the OP when I get home...

[jeffc1]

Quote:

With that being said, there are those who spend a lot of time tweaking gameplay sliders to lesson things like bumping players on the perimeter (which is funny after watching Boston v. Miami and then watching Batum and Roy get smacked every time the ventured below the three point line), help defense and the like.

Once i read this piece of ignorance I left the thread. Bottom line is faster players such as Rondo can get to the rim at will almost in real life. Players like Kobe can create midrange shots AT WILL. Do they do it every time down the court? No. They run plays! They use ball movement, etc. So the PS3 player should be expected to do the same.

Does the D allow iso's every time? no they change up, double team, close the middle, etc. So while playing the game we should do those things on offense and defense.

Fast players should be able to exploit just like real life. Its not about blowing by the defender. Its about a superior player being able to create space at will. The very fake blocking/bumping in the game do not resemble a real game at all.

Some people prefer a realistic basketball game, vs a "hard video game. " You cant hate on someones preference.