50 Ways to Beat the CPU or Become a Better 2K Player Overall, by Sovartus

[SwaggerCoach]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jano

Something that took me a while to realize was how to force the CPU to take a tough contact shot in the paint. A month ago I was playing around trying to defend the paint from the dive bombers every player becomes at the end of the shot clock I realized something. One of the big keys to forcing contact on Defense is the Left stick. The best way to see this in action put the game on default sliders. The while defending in the paint play defense when you see a player barreling in the paint for a layup, purposefully move your player into the offensive player. This will force the offensive player into a contact shot, this saved me from a lot of frustration because I was finally forcing the CPU into tough shots in the paint. Same thing on the perimeter forcing players to lose the ball or pick up there dribble is all done with the left stick. Hope this ain't old news for yall if it is hey its another reminder haha!

You are 100% DEAD ON with this...I've completely changed up the way I play defense and using left stick is HUGE. I've found that rarely ever using turbo, using L2/LT when the CPU is doing iso moves, then letting go of L2/LT altogether and just trying to bump him with the left stick when it tries to drive to the hoop is the best option.

[Sovartus]

Quote: Originally Posted by SwaggerCoach

You are 100% DEAD ON with this...I've completely changed up the way I play defense and using left stick is HUGE. I've found that rarely ever using turbo, using L2/LT when the CPU is doing iso moves, then letting go of L2/LT altogether and just trying to bump him with the left stick when it tries to drive to the hoop is the best option.

So are you saying that you are basically running into the ball handler instead of beating him to where he is going? I would imagine the CPU would keep moving until it got that small seem to move past your imperfect stick movement.

[SwaggerCoach]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sovartus

So are you saying that you are basically running into the ball handler instead of beating him to where he is going? I would imagine the CPU would keep moving until it got that small seem to move past your imperfect stick movement.

I use both - I try to beat the CPU to where it's going when I can, but I also like to bump them along the way - it's what the CPU does to us when we drive - so we might as well return the favor. I especially go for the bump when they're shooting - throws the CPU shot off considerably.

When it's difficult to play solid paint defense at all, I look for every edge I can get down there.

[lazzarone]

My Biggest issue right now is Defense...(I am in need of major help).

> I know the CPU is going to score from the outside I am willing to give up those points in moderation.

> Inside the Paint is where my major area of focus is .(Half the CPU points come from inside the paint, and offense rebounds by the CPU off missed shots are killing me)

Any Defense advice to help stop the inside the paint points?

[Sovartus]

Quote: Originally Posted by SwaggerCoach

I use both - I try to beat the CPU to where it's going when I can, but I also like to bump them along the way - it's what the CPU does to us when we drive - so we might as well return the favor. I especially go for the bump when they're shooting - throws the CPU shot off considerably. When it's difficult to play solid paint defense at all, I look for every edge I can get down there.

I guess I'll have to give that some focus and see what it does. I haven't ever deliberately used that as a tactic. I'll let you know what I come up with.

[Jano]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sovartus

I guess I'll have to give that some focus and see what it does. I haven't ever deliberately used that as a tactic. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Beating the offensive player to the spot is the first part of the battle. That's the part of defense I'm sure everyone on this forum understands.

But where 2K changed things is now in order to force contact you must actually MAKE contact with the other player. There's no magnetic pull anymore so sometimes letting the offense get a step or two is fine.

But once that player goes into his shot animation run that defensive player into him lol! It's going to be hard at first because you have to get used to moving your defender the whole time.

And it adds in another layer to defense because now you have to be able to stay in rhythm with a player who's going up for a layup. Only thing I would suggest is to work on feathering the stick in the paint because you can easily push too hard and completely take yourself out of the play.

Once I figured this out in reminded me of what my coach used to say "Defense doesn't stop until you've secured that board or the ball goes in the hoop."

Also don't assume that just because the player has launched in the air for his layup that you can't make contact. Keep your defender moving and maneuver your body into him a lot of times you'll draw the contact. I've been able to stop a few fast breaks because I didn't give up on the play.

Last thing, be warned that when the shooting foul slider is up high this method is gonna to cause a LOT of fouls on your players. I haven't figured out how to force the contact W/O fouling but I guess neither has anyone in real life either...

[theenemy]

great post man.

about the escape pull ups:
a while ago, I went to the training mode, turned the hot zones on and shot from a neutral zone. Normal jump shot. the rating was A. I shot from the same spot using an escape pull up jumper (making sure that the animation ends at the same spot as before) - the rating is A+. So basically it is a "must". I find it lame, the rating (IMO) should only be based on the "hot zones" and the space that the shooter has not on initiating a special animation to create that space. Maybe that was a tendency/rating thing of the player that I was shooting with (i cant remember who) but I still don't like the logic there.

LS defense definitely works - I use it when I want to foul or force a really hard layup on the fastbreaks - as they go for a layup I basically walk under the offensive player causing him to fall over my shoulder (as he tries to shoot at the same time). It is also effective when you bring the help d yourself to double a post player. I don't use it around the perimeter - too risky. 1 slight mistake on the LS, and the CPU is gone - L2+LS in combination with RS is more effective and less risky (small taps of turbo to catch up if the guy is 1-1.5 steps ahead - yes, 1.5 if more - collapse back between the player and the basket, it's too late)
I realized I'm repeating things already mentioned by others.

on Pro/Sim I find that I have to use most of the listed tips (unfortunately none of the manual defensive settings / subs etc - that's too much detail for me, but I agree that nothing should be left at the AI's mercy) to have balanced/fair/sim game against the CPU.

[debiler]

Really good post. I've been doing a lot of the things you posted already anyway, but it's great to have them summed up.

Two additions that have been working really well for me:
1. If your primary scorers are midrange or three point shooters, look for offensive plays that have your center and at least one forward in direct vicinity of the hoop once the shot goes up. A big problem with lots of plays has been for me that there were just no guys around the basket to grab the offensive board. With this adjustment, I always snatch about 12 or's per game and I score a lot on putbacks, too.
2. Players like Rondo or Andre Miller are usually easier to guard because they don't pose an outside threat. You should sag off and double team post players with your point guard. Cutting them off on their way to the hoop is a lot easier, because their non-existant jump shot makes them pretty one-dimensional. In this game, that is...

As most of the time, things that work out in real life work in the game, too.