NBA 2K11 News Post

NBA 2K11 Developer Insights: The Art of Passing

05:53 PM - August 24, 2010 by convince

Check out the latest NBA 2K11 Developer Insight, discussing the art of passing.

Quote:


	"Steve Nash, John Stockton, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd. When you read these names one of the first things that should enter your mind is their amazing passing ability. They�ve got the innate gift of hitting players right where the ball needs to be. They not only complete the pass but also put receivers in position to make the next move. With this being said, has a player�s passer rating ever really mattered in a basketball videogame to this extent? Sure, it might have been factored into whether or not a player will be able to throw a good alley-oop or dish off a fancy pass. But in the end, couldn�t you throw a 35 foot chest pass to a covered receiver with the same accuracy using Steve Nash as you could with, say, Joel Przybilla? The answer is a resounding yes, but in 2K11, pass ratings matter in almost every aspect of throwing the ball. Whether you�re trying to thread the needle on a pass to the interior or you�re attempting to pass out of a shot, the passing ability of the ball-handler now matters. It determines whether or not the pass will be clean or will force the receiver to adjust his stance to catch the ball. The receiver might have to lean or the pass might force him to adjust so much that he bobbles the ball (which in turn can be retrieved by anyone). Many factors come into play here other than the pass rating, such as the distance to the receiver and how open the receiver is where he�s supposed to catch the ball. It�s amazing the difference this has made to the passing game and we�re very happy that pass ratings finally matter."

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Member Comments

# 121 RayDog253 @ 08/25/10 05:45 AM

I like everything I'm reading so far, I can't wait for these demo's. I thought last year was great for Basketball, but this year is going to be crazy.

# 122 greenegt @ 08/25/10 11:00 AM

Nice! I loved the total control passing mechanic in Live 10 last year and I'm glad it made it over to 2K. This game is shaping up to be an instant classic!

# 123 blues rocker @ 08/25/10 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choops4Life


	Hey wassup my fellow 2K comrades? This is Zach from 2K Sports and the author of the Insight in discussion. I'm very happy that you've taken the time to read the article and post comments. It seems as though we're still seeing eye to eye on the improvements and innovations that passing required for NBA 2K11. It's nearing 10:30pm, the wife is at work and the baby is asleep. This is MY time!!! I will often be here checking your posts, but if you're nerdy enough like me to be on here this late, I'm willing to answer your passing questions right now. If not, post one and I'll try my best to get back to you. A quick background: I'm originally from Iowa, I'm a Bulls/Chiefs/ISU Cyclones fan, I'm married and I have a 9.5 month old that is being recruited by all D1 schools for every sport known to man, I ran College Hoops for 3 years from 6 to 8 (oh do I ever miss thee), I love you guys, I love Wheat Thins and I hit the game winning three pointer in lunch ball today. That's about all you need to know about me for now.

Hey, Zach. I just wanted to point out something I noticed in the recent Magic vs Nuggets video that relates to pass selection.

Some of the passing animations still aren't quite right for the passing angle that is available....and the the passer sometimes throws the ball right through the head or neck of a defender, rather than throwing a higher pass to get the ball over the defender.

Also defenders still seem too unaware of the ball. many times a pass will whiz right toward a defender and they won't even try to tip it.

at the 3:56 mark of the Magic vs Nuggets video there is a bad underhand pass that goes right through the head/neck of a defender to a streaking Vince Carter. the passer picked the wrong type of pass for that angle - he should've done a higher overhead pass to get the ball over the defender....second, the defender just stands there and doesn't even attempt to tip the ball even though the ball is going right toward him. Hopefully this type of incorrect pass selection can be tweaked.

# 124 d-vonthegreat @ 08/25/10 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P21J


	Very interesting article. I'm glad they got rid of that stupid looking pass-out-of-shot animation. It looked horrible and I thought it was unrealistic to have players do that pass who aren't good passers (Shaq, Tim Duncan,DHoward). I'm also pretty excited for the gameplay video

Tim Duncan is a good passer.

# 125 Eman5805 @ 08/25/10 05:52 PM

And so is Shaq. Shaq is an excellent passer from the post.

# 126 m-dogg @ 08/25/10 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choops4Life


	Hey wassup my fellow 2K comrades? This is Zach from 2K Sports and the author of the Insight in discussion. I'm very happy that you've taken the time to read the article and post comments. It seems as though we're still seeing eye to eye on the improvements and innovations that passing required for NBA 2K11. It's nearing 10:30pm, the wife is at work and the baby is asleep. This is MY time!!! I will often be here checking your posts, but if you're nerdy enough like me to be on here this late, I'm willing to answer your passing questions right now. If not, post one and I'll try my best to get back to you. A quick background: I'm originally from Iowa, I'm a Bulls/Chiefs/ISU Cyclones fan, I'm married and I have a 9.5 month old that is being recruited by all D1 schools for every sport known to man, I ran College Hoops for 3 years from 6 to 8 (oh do I ever miss thee), I love you guys, I love Wheat Thins and I hit the game winning three pointer in lunch ball today. That's about all you need to know about me for now.

the thought of a new choops with all of these additions brings a tear to my eye. hell, I would still play choops2k8 if not for the sliding..the gameplay is still tight but I can't get over the sliding after the advances the NBA2k has made. but man i owe you a thanks for the amount of hours I got out of that masterpiece.

as for the new nba2k11, about the new wrap around passes: I love that these are now in for penetrating guards. My only hope is that these are balanced and not overpowering. If I am a great passer like Rondo and penetrate to the rim and Perkins defender comes over to block my shot, and I see that and pass it over...can perk now quickly gather and dunk before the same defender turns around and contests perk's shot? currently this is impossible, but then again we do not have these specific passes as options.

Also, if I do this over and over, will the AI adjust and sometimes not come to challenge my penetration and stay with their man (perk)? or maybe their rotation covers perk most of the time if the defender leaves him? just wondering if you can flesh out the details of how this wrap pass is usefull (funny, i've wanted it forever as a PG, but also ony want it to be successfull when used correctly). thanks!

# 127 Kaanyr Vhok @ 08/25/10 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choops4Life


	Circumstances that lead to turnovers: Dumb passes

A question off of that question and one other. What circumstance would lead to a bad pass by a player with a high rating. Is it possible for Chris Paul to throw something thats off target and would cause that to happen if it is possible.

Does tight onball defense (on the passer) increase the difficulty of a pass, specifically post entry and long up court passes.

# 128 Beluba @ 08/26/10 02:02 AM

hi choops4life, i have one question. can you make it so that i can intentionally pelt a guy in the head with the ball like Tim got Ivan during Tuesday's lunch run? that would be cool. thanks and keep up the good work.

# 129 magicman32 @ 08/26/10 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beluba


	hi choops4life, i have one question. can you make it so that i can intentionally pelt a guy in the head with the ball like Tim got Ivan during Tuesday's lunch run? that would be cool. thanks and keep up the good work.

ya'll wild. lol

# 130 aloncho11 @ 08/26/10 02:15 AM

@Choops4life

It would be nice if some players could have their own signature passing packages like CP3, Kidd, Rondo, Magic, MJ, Stockton and many others...but maybe it's too late now. Anyway thanks for all your hard work and your willingness to polish passing in 2K11 even more.

Best

# 131 aloncho11 @ 08/26/10 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Positive Chance


	Why is something telling me u can actually hit someone on the head with a ball purposely !?

Something like this would be awesome

# 132 TUSS11 @ 08/26/10 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloncho11


	Something like this would be awesome

Knowing 2K, we'll probably get this in the next couple of years. They always add the little details; walking the dog, leaning in for the foul on jumpshots, etc.

# 133 jeebs9 @ 08/26/10 10:25 AM

I don't like that they took the circle button away as a "pick" button.

# 134 jeebs9 @ 08/26/10 10:48 AM

Those were exactly my thoughts!!

I just hope not to see a fake pass every other trip down the floor. I would serious be pissed off with that. The pick is more important then a fake pass in terms of basketball.

# 135 infam0us @ 08/26/10 11:04 AM

How will we perform the fake screen now? Where your guy cuts before actually setting the screen.

Come on jeebs you know your going to see fake passes all the time. They're gonna be like pump fakes.

Triple threat looks great in 2k11 so I'm hoping people use that instead of ball fake and pump fakes to try to create space for a jumper.

# 136 elprez98 @ 08/26/10 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeebs9


	Those were exactly my thoughts!! I just hope not to see a fake pass every other trip down the floor. I would serious be pissed off with that. The pick is more important then a fake pass in terms of basketball.

Why would that bother you? It happens darn near every trip down the floor in the NBA. Players just don't fall for it.

# 137 Goffs @ 08/26/10 11:06 AM

my complaint last year was that the players in "freeflow" would just stand around but watching the vids they seem to set picks quicker this year

as evident here...just watch Nene react as soon as Smith catches the ball...LOVE IT! i really have no problem having the pick button gone (now that players react quicker) and im glad they brought back the fake pass button

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHblY...bedded#t=3m33s

# 138 bearschicago @ 08/26/10 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oOausarOo


	I'm not feeling that either. Fake passing is not significant to me. Fake passing shouldn't work every often. If it does then something is wrong. I don't need something that should be rarely used mapped onto the (B) button. My concern about this insight is they are providing more weapons to the offensive side of the ball. Jump passing doesn't get me excited because leaving your feet to pass should not be an offensive weapon unless you're playing NBA Jam. Historically when 2k gives offenses more weapons they fail to balance it with defensive counters. Subsequently it hurts the quality of user vs. user games. I hope this translates into lead passing being nerfed. One thing I never understood about lead passing is why the recipient gets an incredible instantaneous speed boost.

This was fixed in 2K10 according to this dev insight:

Quote:


	- Lead passes no longer unrealistically speed the receivers up

http://community.2ksports.com/commun...d=1003473&l=11

To me the lead pass was more realistic in 2K10 than 2K9.

# 139 bearschicago @ 08/26/10 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oOausarOo


	Well we all know that's not true. Receivers of lead passes still get an instantaneous speed burst in 2k10 and they are immune to contact until after the catch the pass. Any slight movement towards the hoop turns into a speed burst once the lead pass is triggered. Just to be clear my only concern is with online ranked games. Yea lead passing was slightly better in 2k10 than 2k9, but still ridiculous. Lead passing should be treated more like alley oops where there is an animation if you don't have a clear path and the player should get no speed burst at all from the lead pass. The user should have to burst after the catch.

Agree but watching the 2K11 Gamescom videos the speed of the lead pass is fine to me. I've seen a lot of gathering of the lead pass which is new. Also many are tipped.

# 140 TheKasmar @ 08/26/10 12:34 PM

I have a question about 2k icon passing in general. Sometimes I use icon pass to get a 3 point shooter a good shot from downtown. What winds up happening is by the time they recieve the pass, the 3 pt shooter is far beyond the 3pt line nullifying the open shot.

Is this a user error on my part? Am I leading them too far away? Does anyone else have this problem?

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