brutal learning curve

[celticboy25]

is it just me or does this game have a brutal learning curve? i'll start by stating that i spent the past 2 years playing ea basketball games, especially ncaa 10. in 2k11, i'm having a real tough time winning on pro difficulty level with default sliders.
post moves are nonexistent for me, i'm turning the ball over A LOT with errant passes, i can't stay in front of a guy while defending, etc....
the game is awesome when it comes to the customization options, depth of association mode, realistic game presentation, etc...
i just plain suck at it. i really want to get into it and have some fun because it seems like a great game, but i can't seem to get the hang of it. i think i got spoiled by the instant motion offense in ncaa 10 (by tapping L1) and now i'm lost having to call plays in 2k11. is there a way to simplify play calling and execution?
also, i'm having trouble controlling my players. they feel very "floaty" to me.
any suggestions for getting better? keep in mind i play exclusively offline association mode.

[Threes_Co.]

Turn on auto playcalling.

Go to the post move practice and get all the moves down.

[spit_bubble]

Re: brutal learning curve

is it just me or does this game have a brutal learning curve?

...post moves are nonexistent for me...

...i'm turning the ball over A LOT with errant passes...

...i can't stay in front of a guy while defending...

...i think i got spoiled by the instant motion offense in ncaa 10 (by tapping L1) and now i'm lost having to call plays in 2k11...

...also, i'm having trouble controlling my players. they feel very "floaty" to me...

...any suggestions for getting better? keep in mind i play exclusively offline association mode.

1. No it's not just you, the learning curve is steep.

2. Go into practice mode and practice the post moves. You really don't need to become an expert in post moves to become efficient down low, so just get a few of the moves down to start out with, then expand your game later on.

3. You have to be careful when you pass, and not make risky passes.

4. Use the intense D (or whatever it's called... L2 button) to counter any moves by the offensive player. Play the angles. Be aware of spacing.

5. Realize the NBA is a lot different from College: much more isolation and one on ones. Plays also develop and execute a lot faster, so it's usually just a pass or two to get the ball in your scorer's hands, and then up with the shot. It helps to know who your scorers are and where they can score from.

6. The "floatiness" can be controlled by moving with less exaggerated movements on the stick. In other words push the stick only slightly off center instead of all the way, and get a feel for the difference between the two.

7. Overall, don't try to absorb it all at once. Start off learning the basic things first, playing entire games only using certain things (only jump hooks in the post, only iso cross moves, etc.) until they become second nature, then bite off another little bit to add to your repertoire. The curve is steep, but the rewards are great. I still remember the first alley oop I threw in a half court set... Both Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellogg simultaneously went "Oooooooohooohoo!"

[WorldIsYours]

Re: brutal learning curve

Turn on auto playcalling.

Go to the post move practice and get all the moves down.

auto playcalling on offense and defense really helped me out big time.

[ntnme2lose]

Re: brutal learning curve

Its much more difficult than EA games. Its happened to the majority of the people I know too. Switching from the arcade style of EA games to 2k's sim style is alittle irritating because you feel like things that were so easy to do on EA games will get stopped a lot now. The errand passes defenitely decrease as you keep playing the game. You learn what you can and cannot do and you definitely think twice about what passes you make. Using the direct pass button is extremely helpful too. Much less turnovers and after a while it just becomes second nature to hit it before a pass.

[hitmanwa]

Re: brutal learning curve

The errand passes defenitely decrease as you keep playing the game. You learn what you can and cannot do and you definitely think twice about what passes you make. Using the direct pass button is extremely helpful too. Much less turnovers and after a while it just becomes second nature to hit it before a pass.

This! I have maybe 100 games under my belt and am just now able to play at a competent level. I will say, the game just gets better the more I learn and the better I get. I'm addicted to this game.

Know your team and the team who you are playing against! Learn to play D and don't play man all the time.

[ntnme2lose]

Re: brutal learning curve

Yea you have to know how good the team is that you're playing against. The lakers and Celtics are ridiculous at contesting jumpshots and defending the pick and roll.

[LHSLax_D24]

Re: brutal learning curve

Yeah man, it is tough. But once you get the hang of it, you'll be addicted.

[celticboy25]

Re: brutal learning curve

thanks so much to all of you guys who posted help tips. this is good stuff. i'm looking forward to implementing all of this into my game. a big thanks to all of you!

[wepr3]

Re: brutal learning curve

It says a lot for this forum when someone talks about having a hard time playing, and people don't jump all of you and give you a hard time. That's why this is the only gaming website I visit.

As far as the game itself, I am not great on the sticks. I'm still not great with isomotion, and only decent with the post game. But I'm successful offensively because I run plays and look for the open shot. Defensively, my philosophy is just try to stay in front of my man - rather he pull up for a jumpshot than dunk on me.

[VDusen04]

Re: brutal learning curve

A fine chunk of information here.

I'll reiterate the "icon passing" suggestion. This is huge and clutch and key. It seems oftentimes players on the perimeter are overplayed and/or do not make the right movements toward the ball. Icon passing (and the ability to lead a player to a specific spot on the floor) helps squash this issue.

Also, those tutorials are quite helpful. I'd highly recommend familiarizing oneself with at least a handful of moves from this practice mode.

Finally, if worst comes to worst, lower the difficulty as low as you need to go in order to pick up and develop 2K's general playing concepts.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: brutal learning curve

Yeah all great tips here.

This is the first NBA2K game I have played for more than a month (just finished an 82 game season playing every game). My only real experience with 2K was 2K9 and it just left a sour taste in my mouth (clunky controls, no defense). I was a Live guy since Lakers vs Celtics on the Sega. So I also had a massive learning curve ahead of me with 2K11.

Some of the most important things to remember is the game requires rhythm on the sticks and L2 (PS3 player here). Once you get the feel of the weight shifting and dribbling, your iso moves will be sick and you will be blowing by defenders for some real slamma jamma fun. Like everyone says here use practice mode big time and learn to run your plays and use icon lead passing. If you master your iso, icon lead passing and learn 3-4 post moves to a tee you will be seeing poetry in motion on a video game. I practiced for about 4-5 hours out of the box, then played some practice games, went back into the gym and practiced another 2-3 hours to work on some iso moves and post moves....now i am a pretty damm good baller. Once you have the controls down then you can delve into the coaching strategies and oodles of depth this game offers.

It will be an addiction. I promise you.

[m3lover1]

Re: brutal learning curve

Man I hear you big time. I absolutely loved NBA 2K8, but stop buying basketball games for awhile. Finally got 2K11, and boy they are different animals. This game looks great, and plays great, although it is very hard!! I thought it was just me, but the OP's struggles is the exact mirror of mine. Even with icon passing, defenders seem to just jump out and grab the ball! And I can't seem to stay in front of opposing players too!

But all these are great tips. Guess I will have to go practice.

[CR Shepard]

Re: brutal learning curve

First off I want to state my appreciation for everyone coming to this thread and giving constructive advise, so many times in other forumns, I've seen a thread like this just completely torched, good on ya.

Secondly I have to agree this is my first NBA 2K and the learning curve is very steep, but I just go to practice mode pick out a couple of different facets to practice and hammer away until I feel like they become second nature.

[MakaveliLPC]

Re: brutal learning curve

For the people that mentioned auto playcalling:

Are you guys having trouble with the same 2 or 3 plays being called over and over again?