Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

[imdahman]

The NBA game has shifted to the concept of position-less basketball, and switchability. The game should also move towards that.

instead of listing a players primary and secondary positions, the game needs to list them as either Guards, Wings, or Bigs.

On top of that, there needs to be that hexagonal chart that shows you the players best position. Much like the hex charts we already see in the game where the inner shape informs where the players strength is.

The reason for this chart is that, if a player can play multiple positions, it will be easier to identify and perhaps the game can better take this into account.

IE Giannis can play all 5 positions no question, and at the same time he tends to be slotted into the 4/3 position. So on this hex chart it would radiate out to all 5 positions at a decent range, but the SF/PF positions would have a higher spike.

At the same time, if a player defends all 5 positions well, this can be reflected. And of course if the player is more traditional and is best in a specific position, this way of expressing the players ability still works and doesn't take anything away.

So, how about getting on this? =D

[jeremym480]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players



I agree take the original positions and blow them up Brad Stevens style! Just separate them into certain categories - ball handlers, wings, and big's.... but have the option to let some players cross over.

[Junior Moe]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

It sounds good in theory but I don't think the CPU team management is anywhere near good enough to utilize it effectively. It's improved, but the CPU still struggles with the traditional 5 positions with respect to building teams and lineups.

[vtcrb]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

You can just used Advanced Rotations and play anyone at any position. It is some work but takes about 5 minutes a team, but well worth it. I feel if you did away with Positions you would get alot of guys playing Point Guard who shouldn't be there.

[Baebae32]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

It sounds good in theory but I don't think the CPU team management is anywhere near good enough to utilize it effectively. It's improved, but the CPU still struggles with the traditional 5 positions with respect to building teams and lineups.

Yeah the tech is not sophisticated enough to juggle a lineup with 3 or 4 guys on the court at the same time that are able to play 3 or 4 different positions. I wish it was there but unfortunately Czar has stated that the guy who works on this part of the game is utilized in other areas of the game that are of higher priority.

All we can do is make sure we post this in the yearly suggestion thread so it can hopefully be implemented within the next 2-3 years. Because i imagine it would be a nightmare to code


Good suggestion. Needs to be implemented.

[Mikelopedia]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

I think a more realistic expectation and request would be that they simply add a 3rd position, not that you're idea isn't a good one, I just don't ever see 2k doing that.

The 5 positions thing isn't really anything more than defensive assignments. Guys don't play more than 3 positions, yes there are a handful that can guard 5. To me that's more of something that ACE could do a better job recognizing based on their defensive and athletic attributes.

But you don't want to see Giannis on the court with 2 4's and 5.

[Real2KInsider]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

I disagree with this take entirely, because teams HAVEN'T ditched traditional positions. They've ditched the traditional definitions for each position.

The difference between this and older iterations of the NBA is current players are versatile enough to fill multiple positions, whereas 25 years ago the league was filled with one-dimensional Craig Ehlo types and the concept of Scottie Pippen running point and guarding fours was mind-shattering.

[Real2KInsider]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

The 5 positions thing isn't really anything more than defensive assignments.

This is essentially what positions are in the NBA in a nutshell, but there are still differences in offensive role depending on who the dominant ball-handler is.

When the Knicks ran a "lineup" with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd it wasn't a "positionless" double-PG lineup. Kidd was a spot-up shooter and didn't run the offense.

Guys don't play more than 3 positions, yes there are a handful that can guard 5. To me that's more of something that ACE could do a better job recognizing based on their defensive and athletic attributes.

If you think substitutions are bad now, just imagine if players had three positions, oh boy.

There are very few players who play three positions in practice, and basically none that you'd want doing this on a regular basis. Kevin Durant might be the closest thing to a true "3-5" but you still don't want him logging center minutes with regularity - that's a MATCHUP-based lineup, or something he's forced into out of NECESSITY due to fouls/injuries. It is not and should not be a regular option. He has the skills to play the 1 and 2 also, but that's not where you'd want him popping up in the 2019 GSW rotation.

[Trackball]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

"Positionless basketball" is code for "shoot threes or die."

That's what the modern game is. You're not allowed to touch anyone out on the perimeter anymore, thus threes are the most efficient shot.

Remember when the 2004 Pistons won the title with awesome defense?

Can't have that.

Here's what the league did that very offseason:
"New rules were introduced to curtail hand-checking, clarify blocking fouls and call defensive three seconds to open up the game."

Former NBA Executive Vice President Stu Jackson said it himself.

[El_Tercero]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

"Positionless basketball" is code for "shoot threes or die."

Position less basketball really isn’t really that. It’s about guys who can defend multiple positions. Or big wings who can also handle the ball or bigs who can stretch the floor. It means versatility. Guys like Draymond, Kyle Anderson, Iguadola, Bron, Dirk, Shaun Livingston (big guard who post and can guard bigger players), Marcus Smart, KD.

You remember the phrase a “tweener”? Referring to guys who had no real position. Those guys are what’s in now because they’re usually versatile.




Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[tru11]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

Just because someone can play all positions does not mean they are good at doing just that.

Their are few exceptions but its far from the rule quite frankly.

Once it becomes the common thing and everybody can do it then sure.

[Trackball]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

It’s about guys who can defend multiple positions.

We had that already. Jordan did it. Rodman did it.

Or big wings who can also handle the ball or bigs who can stretch the floor.

By "stretch the floor," you mean "shoot threes."
Nobody dares shoot midrange. Inefficient.

Bring back real defense and watch the midrange shot return.

"The truth is, it makes the game [where] players have to be more skillful. Nowadays, literally anybody can get out there and get to the basket and you can't touch anybody. Back then, if guys put their hands on you, you had to have the skill to be able to go both ways, change direction, post up, you had to have a mid-range game because you didn't want to go all the way to the basket because you would get knocked (butt) over tea kettle. So I think playing the game back then required MUCH MORE SKILL."
--Kobe Bryant, on handchecking

[TheFinalEvent97]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

"Positionless basketball" is code for "shoot threes or die."

That's what the modern game is. You're not allowed to touch anyone out on the perimeter anymore, thus threes are the most efficient shot.
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Shoot threes or die is a definite exaggeration, the Warriors are the best team and they are right in the middle of the pack for 3pt attempts and makes, the shots they take are extremely efficient having a 50.3% FG and 39.1%3PT which leads the league in both and is +2% ahead of the next team in both categories.

[Barncore]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

Interesting discussion here.

I'd like to see positions divided into 4 rather than 3: Guards and Bigs yes, but i wanna see SF/SG types defined seperately from SF/PF types. SF/SG's should be Wings and SF/PF's should be Forwards.

Guards, Wings, Forwards, Bigs.

[Real2KInsider]

Re: Hey 2K, it's time to ditch the traditional positions for players

We had that already.
Jordan did it.
Rodman did it.

And what did the other 99% of NBA players do?

By "stretch the floor," you mean "shoot threes."
Nobody dares shoot midrange. Inefficient.

Correct. The days of A.C. Green caliber players clogging up NBA possessions with mediocre mid-range shots died with Dirk Nowitzki.

Bring back real defense and watch the midrange shot return.

The NBA has real defense. It's defense that requires SKILL now, rather than physicality. Team schemes are significantly better than they were 30 years ago and all one has to do is check the tape.

Hand checking became too powerful because players continued getting bigger, stronger, more athletic, and the impact it had on defense was statistically traceable. All those people saying LeBron couldn't handle the physicality of 1980s Pistons never got handchecked by a 270 pounder.

"The truth is, it makes the game [where] players have to be more skillful. Nowadays, literally anybody can get out there and get to the basket and you can't touch anybody. Back then, if guys put their hands on you, you had to have the skill to be able to go both ways, change direction, post up, you had to have a mid-range game because you didn't want to go all the way to the basket because you would get knocked (butt) over tea kettle. So I think playing the game back then required MUCH MORE SKILL."

Oscar Robertson also thinks the NBA is worse now than when he played. "Back-in-my-day" is a common (and unfounded) critique made by all former players.

All the great ones still need to be able to go both ways, change direction, post up, and yes, pull from mid-range when necessary. The difference is NBA players and coaches in the year 2018 aren't dumb enough to utilize the mid-range shot as their go-to shot, because they understand mathematic principles. For all the "INDIVIDUAL skill" it takes to hit a contested fadeaway you're better off MOVING THE BALL to create an open 25 foot shot worth an extra point. It's not a wonder Kobe Bryant doesn't understand this concept.