A few tips that might help

[loadleft]

Easy Shot Release Timing

Ok hopefully this will help all you guys that have managed to convince yourself that the game chooses when you can hit your shots based on percentages, scripts, etc.

First as I've mentioned before I too was struggling with shooting, however I concluded the problem was me there had to be a "right way" and I believe I found it:

The game varies the release points of all shooters based on what seems to be momentum. This makes it difficult for users to get shooter's feel. However, if you notice by looking closely ALL jump shooters in the game share one particular motion. They all arch there backs or lean back as they shoot, and they do this whether it's a fade-a-way, drift to one side or any other type of jump shot. The perfect release for all jumpers is right when this back arching stops. So just watch your shooter as he begins to lean back get ready and then let go just as he stops. I promise you your wide open fg % as well as contested ones will go up if you do this. Now you'll also now notice that the timing of this is different with all players and for different situations but it doesn't matter because when they stop arching is your que to release the button.

I hope this helps and also I hope this dispels another of the myths that's floating around.

I am working on one more tip that I stumbled on tonight (This morning). I need to test it some more to confirm but I am really excited about it's dramatic results at slowing the game down and forcing the CPU to play a more mid range game. I'll fill you guys in later if it continues to work!

[Jano]

Re: Easy Shot Release Timing

Nice tip load I'll try it out later and you got me interested w/ that mid range game comment can't wait to see what your talking about.

[ILLSmak]

Re: A few tips that might help

My joke was, last year, when we were all 'really good' and we clubbed using team Russia, "It's a good shot unless you get blocked."

It's not as true this year, but still holds weight. If you have a problem with the computer making contested shots then you need to lower the difficulty, I'd say. I'm glad they make contested shots because if they didn't... they'd miss almost every time.

I don't agree with what he said about contesting a shot from the side, I think you should be obstructing the direct line from the shooter to the basket. They say don't crowd the dribble, but if you want him to miss without blocking it you have to get in his face. Best to crowd him and always be ready to pull back. There is a good amount of time to recover and even if he gets by you he's going to meet help.

It's about as hard to block the computer's J as it is to take a charge on them... so try to contest without jumping, as dude said. I wonder, though, to all of these people who say the computer is making too many contested shots... what does the FG% end up being at the end of the game? I usually see about 40-46 on Superstar. I think that's spot on. It would be mad boring if the computer shot 30% every game.

-Smak

[celg35]

Re: A few tips that might help

as far as the runs go. it is true. If i'm playing with the cavs and my oppostion gets on a role. i call for (james floppy down). this gets James off a pick from the guard and then he gets another pick from the power forward giving him a clear path for a jam or enough room for a step back shot. If i run this successfully, it does sway the momentum towards my side.

also with this same play . if you run it correctly and the next time down the court you try it, the defense will double cover you and your SG will be wide open for a three.

[inkpimp007]

Re: A few tips that might help

AAHhhh.... your point on runs makes complete sense. Now that I think back to my games my loses are coming from me not playing smart enough realistic ball the whole game. I tend to panic when the CPU goes on it's run because when i first started playing I was losing by 20 and I would never recover once I was down 10 or 15, so panic would take over.

Last night I was down by 10, could get my role players going but once the ball was in Kobe's hand and he made things happen that lead shrank fast. The I was able to get Gasol going. I still lost but only by 2.

This is the first basketball game I think that challenges you to play intensely the WHOLE game (12min all-star).

Thanks for this post. Also I was in the mindset that contesting a shot meant jumping to block a shot..... not the case at all.

[Chairman7w]

Re: A few tips that might help

...to all of these people who say the computer is making too many contested shots... what does the FG% end up being at the end of the game? I usually see about 40-46 on Superstar. I think that's spot on. It would be mad boring if the computer shot 30% every game.

Amen ILLSmak, I totally agree. Granted, some misses may come from wide open shots, and some makes may come from totally contested shots, but at the end of the day, if the percentages are good, I'm happy.

[loadleft]

Re: A few tips that might help

Ok this one after more testing might not really be a tip. I'd like to get other's input though cause I've definitely seen an improvement in game play. All I did was raise all 4 of my foul sliders to 20 clicks from the right. Here is a list of changes I've noticed:

1. CPU is now conscious of picking up charges, because they aren't as relentless at attacking off the dribble & I've seen them constantly pulling the ball back out on a drive when I can manage to get a help defender into the driving lane.
2. The CPU doesn't drive into those contact layups anywhere near as often
3. I see lots of mid range pull-ups by the CPU
4. I don't see scrub players attacking off the dribble
5. I've picked up charges on the CPU just by playing position D without using the "take charge" right stick button
6. CPU is a lot more deliberate and uses much more clock. I played one game against T-Wolves that halftime score was 38-34
7. I actually have to be concerned with my player fouls, though I've never gotten close to fouling out I have had 3 in the first.

Now initially I thought all my games were slower paced but they're not they've dropped about 10-15 points/game if I free wheel it and if I call plays all game they are about 20-25 points lower. It's just how the game plays out is different, there are a lot more CPU jumpshots. Also you'll probably have to contest shots as I described in the first post because using the Y/Triangle button picks up lots of files where as I get just as many blocks using right stick without picking up the file in the contest the layup animation. I am using default sliders on allstar except for the four foul sliders as I described. I also go to the line way more and I often get the whistle when I am go to the basket and get the contact animation.

I know a lot of guys say this doesn't work for stopping the computer drive to the basket and pick up files while you can't problem but it's worked perfectly for me. Since most say it only makes the user pick up more fouls my suspicion is they contest with Y/triangle instead of right stick. At any rate this is something to try because I am not sure how everyone will like it but I personally love it. If any of you try this please let me know how it works for you.

Last thing as far as what ILLSmak said: standing directly in front of the shooter to contest shots is incorrect because the defender usually raises his right/shooting hand to contest shots but the shooter is shooting on the left side of the defender's body (right handed shooter) the purpose is to get the hand you are contesting with in line with the trajectory of the ball. Again try it both ways and see which is most effective I am sure you'll see that you need to attack the shooting hand of the shooter.