Defensive Help Thread: NBA 2K10

[Crossover1]

They will still double team without your consent.

[STLRams]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crossover1

They will still double team without your consent.

AGREED, no matter what you put the game settings at and coach settings, your players will still double team. God I hope this is addressed with the patch. If 2K could fix this, and players drive and kick/attack the basket tendencies, and CPU interrior defense awarness, this game would be a 10.

[Mos1ted]

Quote: Originally Posted by Synchromesh

Does anyone have any advice on how to tone down these ridiculously stupid CPU fastbreak cheeses? I sometimes have 2-3 defenders back but it's basically like they're not there with the ease with which the AI passes around them, etc. It's one thing if I turn the ball over and the CPU is on the break but I've had many instances where my the CPU players are just out running all my guys off a missed shot and getting into these fastbreak animations that I have had little success in stopping. Am I doing something wrong or is there a slider or something I can adjust to help tone down this crap down?

To defend the break, it's all about position. Instead of crashing the boards, have your defense get back on D. Do this by lowering crash board to zero. This limits everyone on your team from trying to go for the offensive board and just focus on getting back down the court to defend the break.

Also on the break, you want to stay neutral if possible between the ball handler and the recipient so that you are in position to defend against any one of them taking the shot. Also, don't be afraid to foul. Fouling is not always a bad thing. It's better to foul the man and make him miss than to give him the easy basket. Make him earn the two at the line. In some situations, it's better to just give them the shot rather than foul. You have to use your basketball IQ to discern when to do what in the given situation.

[Mos1ted]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeebs9

Play zone vs me...And you will get blown out. Like I keep saying vs a cheesy user it might be effective. But vs a skilled or knowledgeable player of basketball. Will eat a zone up. Zone doesn't work because your rebounding is weak. Zone doesn't work because your fast break defense is even weaker. Zone doesn't work just because there just too many open shots. I have never seen a zone that is effective. Man to Man is the way to go.

Zones are effective, just not as effective at the NBA level because of the offensive talent.

The reason teams go zone is because they have weak one on one defenders. If they go man, they'll get taken off the dribble on every possession. But in a zone, you're sagging off and playing an area making you more effective in defending the drive. But if you're playing a good shooting team, you're going to get lit up because zones are not designed for jumpshooting, only for penetration.

Ideally, you want to play zone against a bad shooting team and man to man against a good shooting team. If you just have a flat out weak team defensively, just chalk that up to being beat by the better man. Hey, you can't win them all!

[Mos1ted]

Another key to playing defense in this game is knowing when to try to contest and shot and when to just get in position for the rebound.

In the early videos, I saw too many times where the user would just jump at every shot. This drains energy, as it should. You gotta ask yourself the question,"Am I close enough to actually affect the shot if I attempt to block it?"

It not just give the guy the shot and try to go in for the rebound. Next time up the floor, just be mindful of the mistake the previous trip of not playing your guy close enough. Some guys you want to sag off and some guys you want to play tight.

Ideally, if you have a really good on ball defender, then play your man tight. If you have a weak on ball defender then play according to the personnel you're facing. Are you D'ing up Kobe Bryant or Derek Fisher. You want to play Fisher tight because at his age, he isn't going to beat too many defenders off the dribble. If you give him space, he's just going to pull up and torch you with the J.

Kobe on the other hand, you can't not stop him. You can only hope to contain him (LOL I love that cliche). Kobe is a superstar because of his ability to kill his man off the dribble AND with the J. Just assign your best on ball defender on Kobe and wish him luck.

[Mos1ted]

Speaking of defense, know how to interpret defensive ratings. Just because a player leads the league in blocks doesn't mean he's a good defender. It just means he can block shot. Position in defense is just as important as ability. Just because my person has the ability to block shots, doesn't mean he's going to get 5 blocks a game. If I'm not putting him into position to be effective, how can I expect him to?

On Ball Defense - means just that, the ability to play a man one on one against the dribble

Defensive Awareness - the ability to react and recognize what the offense is doing. If the ball is passed downlow, how quickly did your guy react to that? The higher the defensive awareness, the quicker he will react. Think of defensive awareness as the ability to "follow the ball"

Block - how successful is he in blocking the shot once he's in position to attempt to do so? Also, don't expect your man to block every shot. Some defenders are just as effective because they can alter a shot as well. I remember one play Barbosa was driving against me. Because of his speed, he quickly blew by his defender. I quickly switched my control to Dalembert because of his blocking ability. I timed the gather just right and got a hand up as he attempted the layup. Because it was Dalembert, Barbosa saw this and adjusted his shot in made air therefore avoiding the would be block and making the layup. Was I upset? No, I was happy that the game recognized this and made the last second adjustment. I know had it been someone like Admundson, he probably would have missed. I can live with Barbosa making the acrobatic layup because he has the ability to do so in real life.

[sandman0823]

Defense is meant to play how 2k intended. Learn how to play the game instead of changing the sliders.

The CPU AI can be stopped whether it is on the break or in the half court you just have to practice and learn how to stop the ball on the break and stay in front of you man in the half court.

My cousin came over bcuz he was ready to give up on 2k. In 30 mins he was singing the praises of 2k and now can't put the game down.

My tips:

Stopping the fast break....

1) make a decision. pick up the ball or defend the basket. I usually pick up the ball on the break. doing this will slow down the transition and force the pg or the ball handler to make a decision sooner. only do this if you see someone is back with you on help.

2) If your going to defend the basket. (DO NOT PLAY THE PASSING LANE DON'T LET YOUR HELP DOWN BY BEING SELFISH.) if you are playing back watch where the ball goes, hold turbo and move over in to the path of the player receiving the pass and if you time it correctly you can take a charge or you can force the offensive into a tough shot by pushing the left stick into the offensive player.

3) Get more defenders back. Turn down your crash boards settings and the computer will not run as many breaks unless your playing the Golden State Warriors, LOL!!!

4) Realize that your not going to stop every break. Play coach and adjust your offense to run more sets to slow the pace of the game. A made basket will not lead to a fast break...

[sandman0823]

Defending the ball in the Half Court

1.) Know who is on the court on offense for the cpu and who is on the court for defense for you.

2.) Do not put to much pressure on the left stick when moving. Quick offensive players usually make quick moves off the dribble, you combat that by making quick adjustments on defense. Foot work is the name of the game here. Putting less pressure on the sticks will allow you to change direction quicker depending on your players quickness ability.

3.) Shut down D. Don't be fooled to think you can crowd everyone. Someone like CP3 will cross u up and blow by u regardless of who or what defensive stopper you have. If your going to crowd a player try just crowding the shooters to force them to put the ball on the floor in place of standing back and lighting you up from there spots on the floor. You have to know your players and understand who you are playing against. Lebron, for example. I held him to 14 pts the other night by playing smart defense. He is no shooter so no need to crowd him. Take control of the defender keep your distance because he will more than likely attempt to drive the lane by giving him space you will give your some time to adjust to his move.

Once he makes a move, tap the square button for ps3 X for 360 and you will attempt to cut him off. Remember to not use to much stick pressure bcuz if he catches committing to a direction he will definitely embarrass you out there. Fast unpressured movements with the left stick is the best way to guard. If he goes for the shot, don't try to block the shot just jump in a timely matter to contest.

4.) Use turbo sparingly and when needed. If the player gets by you it is ok to use turbo to catch up, once you do let it go and push the left into the defender and ride him to the hoop to force a difficult shot or into the help.

5.) Play team defense. Shade the ball handler to your help or his off hand.