Protecting the paint

[nbacoventry]

Hi all,

At the moment I'm struggling with defending the paint, most games I'm just getting owned by the CPU with points in the paint on Pro. Sometimes it feels as if my players are slow with late reactions to how the CPU moves and will run straight past me at times.

Can anyone give me some tips?

[Vni]

Re: Protecting the paint

Usually if the CPU gets a lot of points in the paint it means it's constantly beating you on the perimeter. I'd say sag off more to the players on the permieter. The easyest way to defend the p'n'r against the CPU is to mostly set your guards to go under the screens and your bigs to soft hedge. I find it to be the most efficient and the CPU will rarely (sadly) take advantage of you going under the screens.

Set your POE accordingly too. If you set your POE to limit perimeter shots and agressive defense you will give up more backdoor cuts and the CPU will get by you easily. When the ball is in the air, swich to your bigs and protect the rebound with L2. Double/front your missmatches down low.

But really the most important is to give more space to the CPU on the perimeter and meet them at the spot.

I'am sure you'll get better answers but that might help. Defense is a lot of fun this year.

[nbacoventry]

Re: Protecting the paint

Thanks. This I have slowly noticed about sagging off more to players on the perimeter where they can just burn me if I'm too close for a long time. I agree playing defence is a lot of fun, just a little frustrating at times when I'm trying to create a lead. :P

[Vni]

Re: Protecting the paint

You could try to ice the p'n'r too to defend the paint. I'am not really good at it yet but maybe you will be.

Set your guard to ice the p'n'r and your bigs to no hedge. It's not easy and I've had more success when controlling the big in that situation and containing the ball handler.

[coldkevin]

Re: Protecting the paint

Same here, i can't stay in any way in front of my man, and when i can, he scores contested shots like possessed by the devil. Too many contact shots go in and after years nba 2k has the same exact issue: lack of fouls called! Even with fouls sliders all maxed up.....i give up

[HUSTLER_79]

Re: Protecting the paint

Last year i selected automatic shot contest : manual
i could go up after every shot attempt the cpu made ...
now this year .....its like they broke the auomatic shot contest
manual doesnt work ..everytime i read i shot attempt and try to after it
some forcefield programming gravity makes me unresponsive till the cpu gets off the shot
after that my player becomes responsive again...its cheating by cpu
simple and plain ...period...why limit my abbilities amd vision reactions n skill ?
I know why ..so the cpu can make inside and close shots without you altering them all the time and the game remains in balance ..big bs imo.peace

[tril]

Re: Protecting the paint

Same here, i can't stay in any way in front of my man, and when i can, he scores contested shots like possessed by the devil. Too many contact shots go in and after years nba 2k has the same exact issue: lack of fouls called! Even with fouls sliders all maxed up.....i give up

if you have trouble staying in front of your man, raise the defense assist under the controls settings.

defense is tough 9in this years version, but I actually like that.
adjustments are mandatory, knowing your opponent is mandatory.

lack of fouls is an issue, but i have noticed an increase in fouls the last few days. might be something to do with the newer rosters. they might have adjusted those sliders. or it could be that Im figuring out how to draw fouls.

[swishfury]

Re: Protecting the paint

Use zone defense. Specifically 2-3 zone. Helps with paint protection but vulnerable to 3 point attempts.

[hear me now]

Re: Protecting the paint

Same here, i can't stay in any way in front of my man, and when i can, he scores contested shots like possessed by the devil. Too many contact shots go in and after years nba 2k has the same exact issue: lack of fouls called! Even with fouls sliders all maxed up.....i give up

LeBron is the worst at that. He gets too many contact dunks and lay ups, and doesn't get called for charging.

[bo_jax2000]

Re: Protecting the paint

Spoiler

i play with default rosters and superstar sim sliders. i don't believe this issue has anything to do with bad 2k rosters or sliders. i'm not a defensive "expert" but i've been able to slow the computer when it comes to points in the paint. notice i said "slow" and not "stop". these tips should also work against human players as well.



1. know the player you are defending. if the player isn't known for being a great jump shooter, back off. no need to play too tight. give them the open shot. if they make it, fine. i would rather give up the shot, then have them drive the paint. you can still challenge the shot if you don't back too far off. it's just the opposite for great jump shooters. play tight but also respect their ability to drive. don't take anything for granted.


2. don't be afraid to switch to the next closet defender if the first player gets beat. you have four other players, use them. these are "virtual" nba players so they should be able to get by one on one defense. unless you have a lock down defender.


3. learn to use the shading feature in the game. by shading right or left, you control which direction the ball handler will go. knowing the direction that they should take makes it easier on defense. no more guessing. shade them to where you help defense (or next closet defender) is. you can also use the sideline as an extra defender. also double teams can be effective near the sideline.


4. right stick (hands up) defense + intense defense to challenge shots. i have seen more shots missed by using this combination. i actually don't even go for blocks. just try to make the shot as tough as possible. leaving your feet to block leaves you vulnerable to pump fakes and can also create more driving space for your opponent.


5. intense defense (LT) + right trigger (turbo) = quick shuffle movement. use it to keep up with the ball handler. this works hand in hand with number 2 + 3. keep in mind that by using turbo your players will tire faster. so learn when to use it. use the left thumbstick to move your player while using the quick shuffle movement. try to beat you opponent to the spot forcing them to use other options. using the left trigger + right trigger can also make it easier to box out for defensive rebounds. the left trigger (box out) is already being pressed, you just have to icon switch to the player with the best position. or box out the other teams best rebounder, allowing your other teammates a chance for the rebound. you must keep your opponent boxed out throughout the whole rebounding process. they will try to get around you.


6. take smart shots. don't try to force offense. work the ball while looking for the best possible shot. bad shots and uneven offense can leave you out of position in transition defense. cuts down on fastbreak points and points in the paint opportunities for the opposing teams.


7. learn when to bring the double team. as soon as you call for the double team, make note of who the open player is. your opponent should make the smart pass to the open man. be ready to icon switch to your defender that is closet to that player. playing good "team" defense can be rewarding. it creates turnovers for you leading to fastbreak chances and momentum.


8. use the OTF (on the fly) quick defense options (defend the paint, play tight on shooters, etc.) i'm not talking about the settings in the defensive matchup screens (although they can be used as well). use each option at various points during the game. keeping your opponent off balance. throw in a little zone every now and then. i mainly use the 2-3 (defending the paint) or 3-2 (defending against the 3 point shot) zone after a made free throw. your defenders should be in position by the time the offense comes down court. the reason i don't use the settings in the defense matchup screen is to keep the opponent guessing. those settings never change. if your opponent knows exactly how you are playing them, they have the advantage.


9. know the team you are playing and defend accordingly. you wouldn't defend a 3 point shooting team the same as a team that is strong in the paint. even throughout the game, know who is on the floor. pay attention to substitutions. adjust your defense to the players on the court.


10. personally, i say leave the sliders alone. learn to play the game as it was meant to be played. i'm sure when 2k tested (designed) the game it was to be played using the slider sets they made (default, sim, casual). by adjusting sliders you are changing things without knowing how they affect other dynamics of the game. even a "simple" change could have adverse effects.


i like the fact that the game is challenging. your opponent should attack the paint if you don't adjust. i actually lose more than i win, but as long as i'm playing "sim" basketball, i'm ok with it. at the end of the day, it's just a game. i play to have fun. i'm not looking for perfection.

if you play on ball defense, i would try conservative defense as your defensive POE while changing your flex POE based on what is happening on the court. ex. getting beat inside (nothing inside), giving up too many threes (limit perimeter shots), getting beat in transition (limit transition), giving up offensive rebounds (crash defensive glass). you can also change your flex POE based on the opposing teams lineup. ex. you don't need to "limit perimeter shots" if your opponent doesn't have three point shooters in the lineup. keep an eye on lineup changes and adjust your POE. with conservative defense, your defenders will play loose (they should be in position to defend the drive). while playing on ball defense, you will have to switch (once the pass is made) and close out on shooters manually.

Defense


This gives the user a quick access to setting up the Defensive Settings on the fly:


Pressure Shooters – for opposing players good at med/long range shots; tight onball, deny ball, go over screens, hedge on screens


Lock Down Paint – double down in the post for all players, go under screens


Focus on Stars – for opposing star players; always double, tight onball, deny ball


Constant Pressure – double team on drive for guards, double team in post for bigs, play tight on stars, go over screens, hard hedge





Those used to be the settings for defensive quick plays before POE. Try to make these adjustments in your individual defensive settings. Combined with the POE, it should help your defense.

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