Breaking down the cpu - dribbling

[JWL3]

I've been trying to practice my dribbling with blacktop 1 v 1 using point guards and nba players with handles like Curry, Crawford, Irving, Tony Parker. Playing even on Pro level it is virtually impossible to get by the cpu defense. Anyone else find this to be the case? Anyone regularly able to beat them off the dribble? I have 40 seconds on the clock and I start dancing and prancing. The CPU defender is NEVER out of position. I'm successfully able to blow by them one out of every 20 possessions. Come on 2k! You're better than that. CPU is not God. CPU knows what you're gonna do before you do it. Meanwhile, playing defense on them, one little hesitation dribble and they're by me every single time. And I'm pretty decent guarding fast human guards in mypark.

Sometimes, to piss off 99 7'3" dribbling hacking gods, I quit the game and let CPU ME handle the defense and watch them get locked down every single time. 2k really should build in more defense fails for on ball defenders. In the NBA, good players usually only need one or two crossovers to get by a defender.

[Andrew]

The CPU is very adept at sticking to you like glue, and forcing you into two-man animations, or the canned "lost dribble/pick-up" animation. Picks are effective, but I too would be interested in learning some effective ankle-breaking combinations.

[Dee4Three]

I like the challenge here. Usually when there is a mismatch I can break the guy down far easier (slower guy laterally matched up with say, Chris Paul). For me, the tuned up on ball defense is a welcome sight.

I have success breaking down good defenders, it just sometimes takes 2 or 3 moves in succession to make it happen, and turning the corner HARD and getting that first step that gets him on my back or side.

[Andrew]

I wouldn't mind it as much if the CPU couldn't brush you off a little easier at the other end. Those kind of balance issues tend to be among my biggest gripes with gameplay. In my experience, the CPU also seems to keep in step with quick ballhandlers with slower defenders, often forcing you into those two man animations. CPU players still feel a step or two quicker.

Any particular dribbling moves that you find effective?

[Dee4Three]

I wouldn't mind it as much if the CPU couldn't brush you off a little easier at the other end. Those kind of balance issues tend to be among my biggest gripes with gameplay. In my experience, the CPU also seems to keep in step with quick ballhandlers with slower defenders, often forcing you into those two man animations. CPU players still feel a step or two quicker.

Any particular dribbling moves that you find effective?

A few things that work for me:

Not overdoing it. Sometimes you will go behind your back and than crossover and your defender leans one way ever so slightly, that's when you accelerate and get him on your side riding you to the hoop. Often times as a player we pull back anticipating contact, or try another counter move for no reason.

Turbo button and back on the joystick to get an open shot, or to start your iso moves works really well. Spamming turbo while dribbling is not good, but to create space in that fashion it works really well.

Typical real life triple threat moves work as well. Jab steps towards your guy making him move slightly backward works like a charm to get open shots (think Melo). Also, if you catch the ball and havn't dribbled yet, and you put your players foot (say you are staring at your defender, but you put your right foot inwards towards the basket) and explode, you can get your guy on your side sometimes. Same thing if you want to try and make a quick move baseline, if you lean one way and than burst after the lean, it helps. It helps big time if you are also stronger than the defender, because he is just going to be stuck to your side to the hoop and at your mercy.

I've also noticed with stronger players just doing the old steve smith type move works well. The "put your back to the player" and quickly make a dive to the hoop. Once the defenders on your side you can go up to score, if help comes you have a player wide open.

For real good ball handlers, sometimes it's just being disciplined and not abusing the turbo button. Do your dribbles without turbo first, some quick dribbles and counters, and than use turbo on the final cross or behind the back, or spin.

I like how much thought has to go into every move in this game. It's rewarding getting passed the computer.

Hopefully some of this helps!

[Andrew]

Solid tips man, thanks. I have tried some of those things before with varying degrees of success, and smart use of sprint is definitely advisable. There do seem to be times when the CPU is pretty intent on you not getting past them, but I'll try to pick my spots better. I agree that it's certainly realistic that we have to do that.

[Dee4Three]

Solid tips man, thanks. I have tried some of those things before with varying degrees of success, and smart use of sprint is definitely advisable. There do seem to be times when the CPU is pretty intent on you not getting past them, but I'll try to pick my spots better. I agree that it's certainly realistic that we have to do that.

No problem. I like the way this game feels this year, the defense was the worst part of 2k16 (other than the players feeling stuck in the mud all the time). I feel that this year the control is back, and the defense has improved dramatically.

This game makes you have to really exploit mismatches, and hone your skills in order to be really good it.

[Andrew]

It does, but there are definitely shortcomings and legacy issues as well.

[JWL3]

A few things that work for me:

Not overdoing it. Sometimes you will go behind your back and than crossover and your defender leans one way ever so slightly, that's when you accelerate and get him on your side riding you to the hoop. Often times as a player we pull back anticipating contact, or try another counter move for no reason.

Turbo button and back on the joystick to get an open shot, or to start your iso moves works really well. Spamming turbo while dribbling is not good, but to create space in that fashion it works really well.

Typical real life triple threat moves work as well. Jab steps towards your guy making him move slightly backward works like a charm to get open shots (think Melo). Also, if you catch the ball and havn't dribbled yet, and you put your players foot (say you are staring at your defender, but you put your right foot inwards towards the basket) and explode, you can get your guy on your side sometimes. Same thing if you want to try and make a quick move baseline, if you lean one way and than burst after the lean, it helps. It helps big time if you are also stronger than the defender, because he is just going to be stuck to your side to the hoop and at your mercy.

I've also noticed with stronger players just doing the old steve smith type move works well. The "put your back to the player" and quickly make a dive to the hoop. Once the defenders on your side you can go up to score, if help comes you have a player wide open.

For real good ball handlers, sometimes it's just being disciplined and not abusing the turbo button. Do your dribbles without turbo first, some quick dribbles and counters, and than use turbo on the final cross or behind the back, or spin.

I like how much thought has to go into every move in this game. It's rewarding getting passed the computer.

Hopefully some of this helps!

Great tips! I think most players' problems stem from tip #1 Not overdoing it. Many a time, I'd dance all day going east and west but never north and south. I notice it in mypark too with 90% of players. They had me hard going one way already but because they were dancing, they crossed back the other way right into my strong defense.

I think I need more training in reading the defense; the hints that he's off balance are not obvious all the time (falling on his butt, ankle breaker, etc).

[JWL3]

Funny anecdote: So for the past week, I spent practicing dribbling against the cpu - watching youtube videos and playing 1 v 1 blacktop. I thought I finally had the handles and was eager to show them off in mypark. First game, first possession, first dribble. Dude just rips the ball from me and dunks. Deflated my ego in a hurry.

[Dee4Three]

Funny anecdote: So for the past week, I spent practicing dribbling against the cpu - watching youtube videos and playing 1 v 1 blacktop. I thought I finally had the handles and was eager to show them off in mypark. First game, first possession, first dribble. Dude just rips the ball from me and dunks. Deflated my ego in a hurry.

Your dedication to mastering the game and understanding the details are unmatched. You will get there.

Good stuff.

[Andrew]

Turning the corner hard and getting an explosive first step is probably what I have the most trouble with, but that could just be my MyPLAYER's ratings, as I'm still upping my speed and ballhandling.

[Lebromelo]

If breaking down= getting past ur defender,
I find one of the best way is to just simply press turbo.
But the key is not to press it at a stand still.
You slightly move the left stick toward ur defender, initiating a slow walk. While waking and ur like a ft away from defender, press turbo and u will explode past ur defender.
That seems to give u the most acceleration possible n this game.
What I was doing wrong was trying to explode with turbo at a stand still. or pressing turbo after a cpl dribble moves. This only gives a mediocre explosion.

[Andrew]

Good advice there, too. Thanks!

[diamenz]

If breaking down= getting past ur defender,
I find one of the best way is to just simply press turbo.
But the key is not to press it at a stand still.
You slightly move the left stick toward ur defender, initiating a slow walk. While waking and ur like a ft away from defender, press turbo and u will explode past ur defender.
That seems to give u the most acceleration possible n this game.
What I was doing wrong was trying to explode with turbo at a stand still. or pressing turbo after a cpl dribble moves. This only gives a mediocre explosion.

good stuff. also, the dribble animations that trigger during a walk differ from the animations that you get when you're at a stand still. a lot of times (i suppose depending on your ratings and how the cpu is playing you), you can walk forward, crossover dribble just once or twice, or throw in a hesi if defender doesn't react, and you're on your way to the basket or have plenty of room for a jumper. watch your angles and watch your openings. here's a good example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-Wq4e4XZqo