Help... I am atrocious at this game.

[thekodinator]

Been playing madden all my days, and wanted to try a basketball game for the first time. Got sucked in to NBA 2k14 by the next gen graphics and extremely positive reviews.

The graphics deliver for sure, but man I cannot play this game. I can't break anyone down off the dribble, nobody gets open on offense, set plays don't do anything.... I really want to dive into this game because it sounds like there are a lot of people having a lot of fun with it, but I just suck so bad, I'm struggling on the fun part. I went through the tutorials but when I get into games, it all goes to crap. Help? Anybody?

[Feevision]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

play on rookie if u cant handle it ..because im the same way in madden i suck bad!!

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

Three suggestions:

1. Use icon passing (R1) - for some reason, when you press R1 (you don't need to hold onto the button, just press it once), your teammates will move around and get better separation more frequently.

2. Call for a screen button - allows the ball handler to get open.

3. Play Scrimmage mode - allows you to play a 5 on 5 game, no fouls are called.

Side Note: I personally haven't tried breaking anyone down off the dribble, I have been simply using ball movement, passing the ball, using screens, playing on All-Star Mode. Been winning and losing games. Fun. Addictive. Will start running plays when I get a chance.

[sportsfan23]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

Three suggestions:

1. Use icon passing (R1) - for some reason, when you press R1 (you don't need to hold onto the button, just press it once), your teammates will move around and get better separation more frequently.

2. Call for a screen button - allows the ball handler to get open.

3. Play Scrimmage mode - allows you to play a 5 on 5 game, no fouls are called.

Side Note: I personally haven't tried breaking anyone down off the dribble, I have been simply using ball movement, passing the ball, using screens, playing on All-Star Mode. Been winning and losing games. Fun. Addictive. Will start running plays when I get a chance.

Thanks for this. I am having the same problem as OP, I love the game but am terrible at it. Icon passing has helped me a lot though.

[JazzMan]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

When I first got into 2k basketball (2k9), I was putrid. All I could do was dump it down low to Shaq every possession.

You'll get better. You just need practice.

[SouthBeach]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

Three suggestions:

1. Use icon passing (R1) - for some reason, when you press R1 (you don't need to hold onto the button, just press it once), your teammates will move around and get better separation more frequently.

2. Call for a screen button - allows the ball handler to get open.

3. Play Scrimmage mode - allows you to play a 5 on 5 game, no fouls are called.

Side Note: I personally haven't tried breaking anyone down off the dribble, I have been simply using ball movement, passing the ball, using screens, playing on All-Star Mode. Been winning and losing games. Fun. Addictive. Will start running plays when I get a chance.

I agree 100% with scrimmage mode.

One thing I did was go through the tutorial/training to learn a couple moves (since things have changed a bit). I'll typically pick one move I want to learn and try implementing it in a scrimmage over and over - almost spamming the move in different variations.

Once that move becomes almost second nature for me to pull off, I'll add another move to the repertoire.

One of the best things to do is maybe even freestyle practice. You can practice moves in there and get a better feel for each of the players on the team you're gonna be using.

[SPRINGS03]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

First you need to familiarize yourself with the controls, they can seem kind of overwhelming, but do a lot of practice modes and scrimmage. But also play exhibition games on rookie and just play around with everything(moves, plays, iso's etc.) don't worry so much about winning, just experiment and gradually find things that you're good at, or work for you.

...if that doesn't work, call a timeout.

[Sundown]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

Been playing madden all my days, and wanted to try a basketball game for the first time. Got sucked in to NBA 2k14 by the next gen graphics and extremely positive reviews.

The graphics deliver for sure, but man I cannot play this game. I can't break anyone down off the dribble, nobody gets open on offense, set plays don't do anything.... I really want to dive into this game because it sounds like there are a lot of people having a lot of fun with it, but I just suck so bad, I'm struggling on the fun part. I went through the tutorials but when I get into games, it all goes to crap. Help? Anybody?

Good suggestions here. Start easy slowly master the controls and work your way up the difficulty levels, though I don't recommend anything higher than All-Star as too many CPU boosts get added unless that's your thing.

You'll also have to improve in basic basketball knowledge and know what is a good shot and what isn't, as well as how to play positional defense and not swat at everything like an arcade game.

Run some pick and rolls. It'll at least initiate chaos and movement if you can't outright score.

Breaking down defenses off the dribble is not supposed to be easy, and you're better off with one or two quick moves
than spamming moves until you get really good at the latter. The former is more realistic anyway and even then, don't expect too much penetration. Blow bys only happen a few times in a full length game in real life as they do in game.

[sword1986]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

i was new back in 2010, now i am a monster at this game. religiously use the Nets.

start off on Rookie, play a few games. use the Simulation sliders. i would say play a season. then after winning like 5-10 in a row, go to Pro. once dominate on Pro, go to All Star. keep playing on All Star, take a few beatings. you will become really good.

i currently play on Hall of Fame/Sim and i lose more than i win but when you cross me online i am 10-2 (8 game win streak)

[thekodinator]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

Dang this thread is awesome. Phenomenal responses all! Much appreciated. I keep feeling like I get stuck on offense, pass, pass, no movement, take a contested jumper.

[costas84]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

I know this might sound stupid but:

You can try a little mental trick, play on the highest difficulty level, and since you are Human, your will force your brain to adjust at the situation at hand, my theory is(that works on me), if you train and battle on the highest difficulty ull get a ton better at the game faster and ull find other difficulty modes way to easy.

I cant say this very well but its a mental trick.

[JetFanatic]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

I'm not claiming to be an NBA 2K14 guru or anything and I know all this is kind of obvious, but what really improved my play was playing like the actual team played in real life. If you play with the Spurs you it'll probably be easier for you if you run plays and get the ball down low into Duncan every now and then or if you play with the Rockets like I do you should play run and gun and get them with fast breaks.

Same goes with players. Play like their counterpart in real life. When I started doing that I started getting better results.

Also, are you running plays? If so, what kind? The quick plays or player specific plays where you pick the player?

[Vni]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

When I first got into 2k basketball (2k9), I was putrid. All I could do was dump it down low to Shaq every possession.

This strategy has lead to 4 championships.

[Crimedogg32]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

Any help for someone who is terrible at defense? Play on the ball? Off the ball? Switch to player closest to ball? Stick with one guy?

I seem to get blown by on drives and left in bad position from steal and block attempts but it seems even trying to stay in front of guys I am struggling while only playing on Pro.

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: Help... I am atrocious at this game.

Any help for someone who is terrible at defense? Play on the ball? Off the ball? Switch to player closest to ball? Stick with one guy?

I seem to get blown by on drives and left in bad position from steal and block attempts but it seems even trying to stay in front of guys I am struggling while only playing on Pro.

I personally don't even attempt to go for steals. I hold either the L2 or R2 trigger (don't remember which one) while moving the left stick side to side, or even back towards the basket. Love playing defense.