Another gameplay aspect that could sorely benefit from better tech is the Contest mechanic. Re-mapping it to the Right Stick makes it more user-friendly and dynamic, but just as important is giving it new rules. Contesting is in a strange place right now where defenders who aren't even contesting shots get weird AOE bonuses--which is terrible. Embiid is an elite rim protector but he gets out of position here and still affects the shot? Thats bad gameplay.
Keep in mind no one wants a repeat of earlier 2Ks where contesting a shot virtually guaranteed a miss--we want contesting to be skill-based with criteria: 1) separate it from blocks--the two commands should differ a great deal 2) require Good Timing 3) require Good Position 4) require the right personnel, and no defender should make shots miss on a whim unless he's ACTIVELY contesting them. and 5) Risk/Reward - Missing a contest should cause the defender to lunge in the direction they specify...Contests should have a relatively low foul rate, but some contact should be called. I fell for an up/under below, and it should have been whistled:
Bad contest mechanics have made zones much more effective than they should be because each part of the court has a defender capable of bothering shots. Here we catch this guy in a bad rotation and Spencer Dinwiddie? stops Embiid? COME ON:
Middleton never even contests the shot here (he actually misses a steal) but because he's close its considered 81% Contested? YIKES. On another note, contact foul much?
The current level of Contesting has some weird dynamic where going for a block (and missing) ends up being the optimum contest. It empowers the worst kind of cheese. This guy spams steal with McGee allowing Embiid to get behind the defense, but never fear...rim protector extraordinaire Danny Green is here [emoji23]:
Here KCP and Kuz both mistimes their blocks (Howard watches) but instead of a potential 3pt play you get a point-blank miss?
THIS happens often when defenders mistime their blocks in the NBA. Its too rare in NBA 2K.
We can only cross our fingers that Contesting is better designed on the PS5. Giving Rim protectors unbalanced mechanics doesn't improve the game--it only creates loopholes that cheesers will abuse.