NBA 2K12 News Post

NBA 2K12 Developer Insight #9 - Defense

02:14 PM - September 16, 2011 by mreyes930

Check out the new NBA 2K12 Developer Insight #9, as Jerson Sapida talks about the defensive side of the ball.

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# 81 amedawg00 @ 09/16/11 04:00 PM

In the e.p.i.c. battle of off ball defense vs. on ball defense, I think this insight pretty much settles what is more respectable in a user vs. user matchup. By all means, play off ball defense against the CPU if that is your cup of tea, but please leave that wimpy, tepid, and down right disgraceful strategy for the offline mode when matching wits against a human opponent.

As the dev himself reiterated "Playing onball should not be something that’s feared" in a competitive online or offline matchup against a human opponent.

On ball defense FTW!

# 82 blues rocker @ 09/16/11 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Self313


	for those at work

thanks man.

# 83 blues rocker @ 09/16/11 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amedawg00


	In the e.p.i.c. battle of off ball defense vs. on ball defense, I think this insight pretty much settles what is more respectable in a user vs. user matchup. By all means, play off ball defense against the CPU if that is your cup of tea, but please leave that wimpy, tepid, and down right disgraceful strategy for the offline mode when matching wits against a human opponent. As the dev himself reiterated "Playing onball should not be something that�s feared" in a competitive online or offline matchup against a human opponent. On ball defense FTW!

i would gladly play onball defense online if not for the lag...doesn't the lag create a disadvantage to playing onball defense? maybe i just have a crappy internet connection, but player responsiveness is pretty slow for me online.

# 84 coolcras7 @ 09/16/11 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amedawg00


	In the e.p.i.c. battle of off ball defense vs. on ball defense, I think this insight pretty much settles what is more respectable in a user vs. user matchup. By all means, play off ball defense against the CPU if that is your cup of tea, but please leave that wimpy, tepid, and down right disgraceful strategy for the offline mode when matching wits against a human opponent. As the dev himself reiterated "Playing onball should not be something that’s feared" in a competitive online or offline matchup against a human opponent. On ball defense FTW!

Exactly for years people have been complaining that there was more advantages to playing offball than onball now 2k claims to have stepped up the defense so playing onball is now beneficial and rewarding for a good player, for all those complaining did you not see the video of Ronnie playing those so called advantages mean nothing if you play the wrong way.

# 85 st0rmb11 @ 09/16/11 04:12 PM

Great read.

but SMH at Rose's rating (outside offense, in particular)

# 86 amedawg00 @ 09/16/11 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blues rocker


	i would gladly play onball defense online if not for the lag...doesn't the lag create a disadvantage to playing onball defense? maybe i just have a crappy internet connection, but player responsiveness is pretty slow for me online.

The myth of player responsiveness and shot release delay online is GREATLY exaggerated each year. I have no issues whatsoever with player movement online. The user input on the left stick is what causes unresponsiveness. Knowing when to feather the left stick as opposed to fully pressing it as well as laying off turbo usually mitigates any so called online responsiveness issues. This year additional "shuffling" and intense defense controls should add even more tighter controls for player movement.

# 87 blues rocker @ 09/16/11 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amedawg00


	The myth of player responsiveness and shot release delay online is GREATLY exaggerated each year. I have no issues whatsoever with player movement online. The user input on the left stick is what causes unresponsiveness. Knowing when to feather the left stick as opposed to fully pressing it as well as laying off turbo usually mitigates any so called online responsiveness issues. This year additional "shuffling" and intense defense controls should add even more tighter controls for player movement.

it's not a myth for me, man...the lag for me is pretty noticeable...i'm not sure how much one's online connection can affect the lag.

# 88 rjmdeuce79 @ 09/16/11 04:23 PM

Quote:


	In competitive play, be it online or offline, there is always that never ending dispute over opponents never wanting to guard the ball.Many users just don’t want (or are afraid) to be tasked with keeping in front of the ball handler and preventing penetration. They end up controlling and offball defender and simply camp out down low to defend the inside shot. Even during our friendly office tournaments, the majority of the participants played this way. We wanted to address this for 2K12. Playing onball should not be something that’s feared. Now, we give you an added incentive to play the ball on defense. For one, user-controlled defenders will impact the shot percentages more than an AI-controlled one. When you control the defender and perform hands up defense or jump up to contest, your shot release defense will be higher than just leaving it to your AI teammates.

I. AM. ELATED.

There's nothing more satisfying than playing an individual and crossing him over and seeing him go the opposite direction.

Countless times I've either been hit with it or yelled out "got 'em" and quite frankly, it feels 100% better knowing that there was someone manning me up trying to match wits and stick.

I just never got the idea of "camping" in the paint letting the AI do everything, what was the point of getting online and playing a human? To each his own I guess.

# 89 Toaster @ 09/16/11 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colts18


	Nobody said that there is a PENALTY. There is just an INCENTIVE for the user. Example: Teacher gives a test with 10 problems + 5 bonus problems. Teacher says, "Extra credit given to those that do all 15." That isn't the same as saying, "Negative marks will be given to those that don't do all 15." Meaning if you do just 10, you are fine. No deductions.

But it IS the same, it's just a question of perspective.

I just think this feature is something that should have an on/off switch and not be automatic.

Maybe have it mandatory for ranked matches, IDK...

# 90 Nodima @ 09/16/11 04:24 PM

See, I like to play off ball occasionally when I know a player is going to be constantly feeding a certain player. If I've noticed an offensive tendency with, say, the Lakers, I don't think it's cheesing to play as the 2 or the 3 in order to jump his passing lanes. I consider not trying to take advantage of that just as tepid as allowing the CPU to guard the point guard. In my opinion there's ten players on the court and I'm trying to stop five of them from scoring, not one.

# 91 clipperfan811 @ 09/16/11 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	The auto-contest doesn't really rely on user input if I'm reading it correctly. I hope I am wrong. So much thought put into defense this year and it's automated.

I sort of felt like a got a small punch to the gut when I read that. I truly hope that the contest animations resulting from putting your hands up are minimal. Part of the absolute fundamentals of defense is to contest without compromising your balance. It's like chopping your steps at the end of a close out or not crossing your feet on a defensive slide. They should just tie those auto-animations to the defensive assist slider, simple fix.

That was really the only negative I saw in the entire insight.

I"m so glad they've given us the ability to move while having our hands in the air. I've been asking for that specifically for a few years now. It's awesome to feel as if the customers feedback is taken into consideration.

Overall beautiful information here!

# 92 ffaacc03 @ 09/16/11 04:28 PM

I have a ton of thanks but only US$60+ to give to 2k for all of these ... if only I had more to give ... almost an utopy come true ... and yes, includding the on ball D incentive !

Also wanna thank Pared and DaCzar for letting 2k know about our griefs with the 2k11 contest system and even more, for calming (not that I was angry) me by stating that 2k was aware of this and that was dealing with the issues ... and WOW @ how they have done it (thus let us experience what seems, once the demo is out).

All the info shared within the insight, coupled with what DaCzar has already stated about the lack of force field on the outside and that the AI now does more propper and contextual D rotation ... seems like the ultimate tribute to those of us who, while not that sticks skilled, live and die by the D. The conjuction of all these, should please those who like me (prior to last year title, in 2k11 I played 90%+) mostly played off ball due to the inconsistencies of my AI teammates and to the lack of defensive schemes to counter cuts and post feeds ... on ball D seems finally a worthy 100% option.

In 2k11, besides its nuances, it was possible to imposse your style on both sides of the court: O & D (be it onball or not) ... 2k12 seems to now bring it to another level ... and it is greatly wellcomed !

# 93 made in eu @ 09/16/11 04:35 PM

Will you get "penalized" if you play off the ball defense against cpu or only against human player? If it is the second ok but against the cpu we should play defense any way we want without getting "penalized".

# 94 Kaanyr Vhok @ 09/16/11 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjmdeuce79


	I just never got the idea of "camping" in the paint letting the AI do everything, what was the point of getting online and playing a human? To each his own I guess.

# 95 Mos1ted @ 09/16/11 04:45 PM

As a defensive-minded player in real life, this is my favorite insight so far. Pretty much every aspect of defense I wanted for 2K11 has been implemented in 2K12. Once again, the devs over at 2K Sports show their mind-reading prowess.

# 96 bls @ 09/16/11 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaanyr Vhok

LOL That's funny

# 97 rjmdeuce79 @ 09/16/11 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaanyr Vhok

Ah yes, how quickly I forgot WHY some would need to camp.

# 98 Kaanyr Vhok @ 09/16/11 04:50 PM

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but to me it sounds like the only thing that isnt manual are the contest that arent in intense defense mode

Quote:


	Auto Contests will play as long as you are performing hands up defense or holding LT (or L2 on PS3) in Intense Defense mode.

so that means you can put your hands up without a contest. You can also manually jump so the only thing that is automated is a non-jumping shot contest that you initiate.

How else can you read it? And if that is the case what else can they do? The only thing that is automated is the move from two hands being stright up to something like this which you trigger.

Works for me. Maybe in the fuure you might be able to map something like this to analog sticks. For now this is a major net gain in control and options on D

# 99 SaC_KiNg09 @ 09/16/11 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjmdeuce79


	I. AM. ELATED. There's nothing more satisfying than playing an individual and crossing him over and seeing him go the opposite direction. Countless times I've either been hit with it or yelled out "got 'em" and quite frankly, it feels 100% better knowing that there was someone manning me up trying to match wits and stick. I just never got the idea of "camping" in the paint letting the AI do everything, what was the point of getting online and playing a human? To each his own I guess.

Amen!!!! This is probably one of if not the best implementation to the game I have heard so far. If you are playing a match against another user, stick the guy who has the ball. Its just more fun when you know that you have crossed over the person guarding you and its because you actually faked him out. Much more satisfying. They stated in the article that you can still play off-ball and you are penalized for doing so, just more of a reward when you do actually man up and stick the man with the ball.

Now at times it is required to switch to the AI controlled player and have them do what you would like in certain situations like hedge on a screen or flash on a pick an roll but it seems that they have fixed this in the defensive settings making the AI actually do it now themselves. I personally see nothing wrong with giving the user controlled person the incentive to play some on-ball D.

Camping in the post with a big while the other user has the ball at the top of the key in my opinion is a little cheesy, but to each his own. 2k is now rewarding those who play "mano y mano" and thats great to hear. You know we got a great game in store for us when there is so much discussion on topics such as these.

CANT WAIT!!!!!!! (In my Bart Scott voice)

# 100 Rdub33 @ 09/16/11 04:55 PM

@pared I don't see how u aggressively defend a shot without jumping. On jumpshots proper d is to just put your hands up... Two in the lane one on the perimeter. Sounds like if u want to play sound, u use the stick, if u want to go all street ball and risky then u jump ... What is missing?

If another human shuts me down on d then I tip my hat and keep practicing.. If a CPU shuts me down while the human roams around I put the game down and go play real basketball to vent my frustrations. Lol. Play on ball fellas, that's why it's called MAN to MAN

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