Advice for Ruby League?

[landman2069]

Between job demands so I am away from the game and kids I understand and echo original posters comments or observations. I have a badged up loaded team and it makes it easier for sure. I was going 5-0 in amethyst when I had an extended break and came back to play first game versus PD Isaiah and PD Duncan. Barely lost but completely was overmatched.

Badges are huge. Don't shoot 3's if you can avoid it but wide open 3's where the player you throw to is standing still are ok occasionally. You can't afford to miss and let them score and get the momentum. Eventually you get a guy hot with red circle and then you will make a lot more and can start shooting them more often.

I run "Horns set" freelance using "scoring actions" just to put my players in the proper position to abuse zones and keep Yao away from the hoop. With the two shooters always in the corners and two bigs at the free throw line it really helps. Corner 3's are so much easier. Nice part is if I can't shoot great with SG I can bring the ball up with him and PG and SF go to the corners.

As I come up the court I call plays using the Mavericks playbook. There are some awesome plays in there that get shooters open off of double screens etc. Just experiment a little in the Sapphire league with calling plays like fist 92 loop, quick 1 elevator, etc. You will get open and if not just do a manual pick and roll. Always set the pace of the play to "push the pace" (whatever it is called) too so it starts as soon as players are in position. I think it is right on the dpad and push R1 once to get the 3 options that I just think of as slow, medium, and fast.

I really wish they would keep people who had not prestiged from playing those that have already unless they can't find any matches. It really makes it almost impossible to get the ultimate rewards for going undefeated if you get a little lag or get unlucky draw of playing a killer. Best of luck and hope you enjoy the challenge of getting through the ruby league! You will figure it out.

[Erithtotl]

Quote: Originally Posted by landman2069

Between job demands so I am away from the game and kids I understand and echo original posters comments or observations. I have a badged up loaded team and it makes it easier for sure. I was going 5-0 in amethyst when I had an extended break and came back to play first game versus PD Isaiah and PD Duncan. Barely lost but completely was overmatched. Badges are huge. Don't shoot 3's if you can avoid it but wide open 3's where the player you throw to is standing still are ok occasionally. You can't afford to miss and let them score and get the momentum. Eventually you get a guy hot with red circle and then you will make a lot more and can start shooting them more often. I run "Horns set" freelance using "scoring actions" just to put my players in the proper position to abuse zones and keep Yao away from the hoop. With the two shooters always in the corners and two bigs at the free throw line it really helps. Corner 3's are so much easier. Nice part is if I can't shoot great with SG I can bring the ball up with him and PG and SF go to the corners. As I come up the court I call plays using the Mavericks playbook. There are some awesome plays in there that get shooters open off of double screens etc. Just experiment a little in the Sapphire league with calling plays like fist 92 loop, quick 1 elevator, etc. You will get open and if not just do a manual pick and roll. Always set the pace of the play to "push the pace" (whatever it is called) too so it starts as soon as players are in position. I think it is right on the dpad and push R1 once to get the 3 options that I just think of as slow, medium, and fast. I really wish they would keep people who had not prestiged from playing those that have already unless they can't find any matches. It really makes it almost impossible to get the ultimate rewards for going undefeated if you get a little lag or get unlucky draw of playing a killer. Best of luck and hope you enjoy the challenge of getting through the ruby league! You will figure it out.

Great advice!

I'll try that set. I have been using the motion/pace offense and finding it a little too limited. I already have the Mavs playbook and coach so I'll start practicing those plays in Sapphire.

As someone else asked, I did teach myself to shoot with the pro-stick, though I find it hard to get green aim. It's just too touchy and its hard in the middle of the game to keep consistently pulling the stick in the right direction.

[Offballer4life]

Quote: Originally Posted by Erithtotl

Well I got knocked down to Sapphire going 4-8 in Ruby. Of the 12 games I played, I think maybe 2 of them I didn't get a substantial 'difficulty' bonus for the strength of opposition. The last squad I played had 6 players 95 or above. I also played another squad with that and PD Thomas and Duncan. This last guy I played was definitely a worse player, but his quality just made up for so much. I only have 4 players rated above 89 (wallace, marion, MRR, and Yao) So part of it is that my players just aren't good enough and I don't have the badges a lot of these guys do because I don't have the MT for it. I'm pretty sure with some practice I could at least go 7-5 in Ruby with another try. But I don't know if anything above that is realistic. I might be capped because 1) I won't spend real money on VC, 2) I started MTO about 6-7 weeks late, so I couldn't play the AH when prices were much higher, and I'm behind on challenges and things like that. What sucks is I'd really like to practice at Superstar difficulty but Sapphire is so much more forgiving that its questionable how much it will help there. I went 12-1 on 2 tries with an 88 OVR team. The three point shooting is a huge issue. I typically go about 4-19 or so. Yes a few are partial contests for sure, but I also brick a bunch of wide open ones with 80+ shooters. I think the issue is twofold. My lack of timing, and lack of badges.

Ok. So you sound like me. I go on undefeated runs....then Ill lose a bunch in a row, and not advance. Or even worse, get demoted.

I have similar issues with open 3s. I mean WIDE OPEN. So I really dont take them anymore. or if I do, I make sure shooter is set and has a half second before shooting. To me, this is crucial. C&S badge still activates if equipped. Also, keep an eye on shot feedback. I noticed that I typically release just a hair too late. So Im releasing earlier than before, no matter how unnatural it feels. Im doing better. And dont forget hot zones and Corner Specialists.

[harryl]

Quote: Originally Posted by Offballer4life

I have similar issues with open 3s. I mean WIDE OPEN. So I really dont take them anymore. or if I do, I make sure shooter is set and has a half second before shooting. To me, this is crucial. C&S badge still activates if equipped. Also, keep an eye on shot feedback. I noticed that I typically release just a hair too late. So Im releasing earlier than before, no matter how unnatural it feels. Im doing better. And dont forget hot zones and Corner Specialists.

Definitely a good thing if you can allow shooter to settle into Standing after receiving a pass.

I find, in general, whether it's a standing or moving shot, what matters a lot is the rhythm of it all. There feels like there is a timing window within which it's best to press Shoot.

I feel like there are times when I catch and then shoot in a moving motion, and it feels right/good. And then there are times when I do the same and it feels...off.

And the sense I get, I'm quite sure, correlates with the shot going in, or not.

Again, these are moving shots. So I'm talking about timing for the bounce after catch, or the fadeaway, I think, being important.