I remember the first time that i saw 2k in action on Dreamcast. It was shortly after the systems launch and i was walking past a neighbors window when i caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, i was stunned. It moved so fluid, and every thing about the game was so lifelike. Fast-forward to today and 2k continues to produce a great product, but has yet to blur that line between video game and reality with its gameplay. After yrs of playing, i think i have a few ideas to help.
DEFENSE
One of the first changes to make is to ensure that every thing is solid. Sliding of anyone, offensive or defensive should be kept to an absolute minimum, but sliding of a defensive player out of position allows a host of basketball issues. If a player does dribble moves or begins a lay up into a stationary defender, that defenders position should be respected. Too often in 2k13 defenders are moved to accommodate the offensive player which leads to frustrating "he shouldnt have been able to do that" moments. What i would suggest is they use the same tech that allows them to have a separate base and form for jumpshots be used for layups. What this would allow them to do is have a variety of appropriate, evasive gathers (hopsteps, euros, basic two steps) and finishes without having to add a mountain of animations.
The second change i would like them to incorporate is some sort of anticipation by defenders. Defense by nature is a secondary action, but its skill and anticipation that separates defenders and defenses from the pack. Anticipating the roll to the basket by a help defender is the difference between an uncontested dunk and a difficult pass and/or layup. Speaking of help defenders....
The next change would have to be to loosen the man defense considerably and strengthen the help defense exponentially. As im sure many have of you have noticed during this opening week of the NBA, on-ball defense mostly hands off and all about position. Contrary to popular belief, basketball defends the paint as a team, not 5 efforts individually. By comparison, the help defense on 2k is pathetic. The weak side is largely oblivious on drives and totally ignores cutters. Ideally with a team of good defenders, these gaping defensive lapses should be the exception, not the rule. There should be 'shadowing' animations for intense defense on cutters and off ball denial attatched to an off-ball defensive rating. In the likely event that a cutter beats his man, other defenders should "see" this and act appropriately. Also, unless the nearest defender is set to deny ball, if the ball-handler is set to be doubled " on the drive" , he should drop down to cut off the paint.
Shot blocking has been a bit difficult for 2k to get down, and im sure there is a technical reason for that behind the scenses, but to the naked eye there seems to be a lack of situational animatons. That very well may be due to hardware limitations, but what i would suggest is a system that takes into account anticipation and momentum. I think a charge system similar to NFL2Ks with visual cues such as bending of the knees would work well for emphatic blocks. The momentum aspect could ensure that on ball defenders aren't bouncing unnaturally off the ground to block a shot as if they are not shuffling their feet. Also removal of some of the robotic swats or that odd, reaching, uppercut block attempt that often happens on block attempts from behind with leapers wouldn't hurt.
OFFENSE
The biggest change i would suggest be made to the offense is to really differentiate ball handling ability. Poor dribblers should pick up their dribble often when encountering a secondary defender and be forced into protective dribbling stances when approaching a defender. Contrarily, great, not good ball-handlers would get in a protective stance only when approached with multiple defenders. I would like to add that everyone in nba isnt so skillful as to be able to consistently pull off smooth dribble moves vs a defender as the 'control stick' would have you believe. Crossing over and spinning excessively stationary, even with great ball-handlers, there should should be small visable mistakes that allow for the ball to be knocked loose. Those mistakes should become more noticible and costly the worse the ball-handler. Now moving towards a defender while doing crossovers should be much riskier even of it isnt excessive, especially with the defender being "solid". That closed distance obviously makes the ball more accessible to the defense.
Im sure you all have a ton of things you noticed that could be changed to blur the line, any suggestions?
DEFENSE
One of the first changes to make is to ensure that every thing is solid. Sliding of anyone, offensive or defensive should be kept to an absolute minimum, but sliding of a defensive player out of position allows a host of basketball issues. If a player does dribble moves or begins a lay up into a stationary defender, that defenders position should be respected. Too often in 2k13 defenders are moved to accommodate the offensive player which leads to frustrating "he shouldnt have been able to do that" moments. What i would suggest is they use the same tech that allows them to have a separate base and form for jumpshots be used for layups. What this would allow them to do is have a variety of appropriate, evasive gathers (hopsteps, euros, basic two steps) and finishes without having to add a mountain of animations.
The second change i would like them to incorporate is some sort of anticipation by defenders. Defense by nature is a secondary action, but its skill and anticipation that separates defenders and defenses from the pack. Anticipating the roll to the basket by a help defender is the difference between an uncontested dunk and a difficult pass and/or layup. Speaking of help defenders....
The next change would have to be to loosen the man defense considerably and strengthen the help defense exponentially. As im sure many have of you have noticed during this opening week of the NBA, on-ball defense mostly hands off and all about position. Contrary to popular belief, basketball defends the paint as a team, not 5 efforts individually. By comparison, the help defense on 2k is pathetic. The weak side is largely oblivious on drives and totally ignores cutters. Ideally with a team of good defenders, these gaping defensive lapses should be the exception, not the rule. There should be 'shadowing' animations for intense defense on cutters and off ball denial attatched to an off-ball defensive rating. In the likely event that a cutter beats his man, other defenders should "see" this and act appropriately. Also, unless the nearest defender is set to deny ball, if the ball-handler is set to be doubled " on the drive" , he should drop down to cut off the paint.
Shot blocking has been a bit difficult for 2k to get down, and im sure there is a technical reason for that behind the scenses, but to the naked eye there seems to be a lack of situational animatons. That very well may be due to hardware limitations, but what i would suggest is a system that takes into account anticipation and momentum. I think a charge system similar to NFL2Ks with visual cues such as bending of the knees would work well for emphatic blocks. The momentum aspect could ensure that on ball defenders aren't bouncing unnaturally off the ground to block a shot as if they are not shuffling their feet. Also removal of some of the robotic swats or that odd, reaching, uppercut block attempt that often happens on block attempts from behind with leapers wouldn't hurt.
OFFENSE
The biggest change i would suggest be made to the offense is to really differentiate ball handling ability. Poor dribblers should pick up their dribble often when encountering a secondary defender and be forced into protective dribbling stances when approaching a defender. Contrarily, great, not good ball-handlers would get in a protective stance only when approached with multiple defenders. I would like to add that everyone in nba isnt so skillful as to be able to consistently pull off smooth dribble moves vs a defender as the 'control stick' would have you believe. Crossing over and spinning excessively stationary, even with great ball-handlers, there should should be small visable mistakes that allow for the ball to be knocked loose. Those mistakes should become more noticible and costly the worse the ball-handler. Now moving towards a defender while doing crossovers should be much riskier even of it isnt excessive, especially with the defender being "solid". That closed distance obviously makes the ball more accessible to the defense.
Im sure you all have a ton of things you noticed that could be changed to blur the line, any suggestions?
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