Is EA's NBA Live 2k3 playing a wrong zone-defense?

[Binhpac]

Have you ever noticed that NBA 2k3 plays a wrong zone?

It first comes in my mind, that they play a really weak motionless Box-And-1 either. But, hey, then i felt, it's just a bad man-to-man defense, which is played in NBA 2k3 and named zone.

Regularly: If the ball gets from the pg to the forward 1. the defending pg has to rush in position next to the guy in the corner or 2. the guy in the low post has to rush in the position next to the corner. You can control the 3Pt Threat and the penetration of the ballplayer.
If 1. the defending forward on the side leaves his position and replaced the pg, who ran into the corner, if 2. the center on the weak side replaced the position of the low post defender, so that you can control the 3Pt-Threat closest to the ballplayer. A zone is in motion, when ball moves, even then if someone just dribbles one step.

NBA2k3: Nobody rushes, so you get an open player in the corner. If you pass the ball to the forward the defender next to him in the box, goes out of the position and closes the distance, so that he defends the ballplayer. The defending PG replaces his position in the box. So you got a open man in the corner.
In the moment you pass the ball in the corner, the nearest guy starts to the ballplayer. The defender of the passing offense player goes back in the box.

Hey, no coach in the world would setup a zone, where the opponent get a garanty for a open three. C'mon, EA, there has to be something wrong!

Most of the times you have some loosy shooter in the corner like your Power Forward or someone who cant make it, but hey, in real life you would let your 3Pt Killer camping out there and let him shooting the whole night.

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Same for double team play: If you double the ballplayer, one player next to the ballplayer rushes for the double team play. Another defender moves to the offense player, who was left alone for the double team play, so that the offense player, who got the longest distance to the ball is free or the last defender stands between the 2 offender and the rim in a triangle to be in help position and can rush to the others, if they swing the ball, depends on coaches philosophy.

In NBA 2k3 you go with the SG for the double team of the PG and the opposits' SG is free, nevermind, he is in shooting position or next under the rim. Only as you pass the ball to the open man, the defender notice there's another guy standing alone. So if the Center or PF is going for the double, there's one big man under the rim free, if one of the other doubles, you get a open three, because the defender isnt in position to rush him in time.

You played "NBA 2k3's double team" on Full Court? If you double with 2 or 3 guys, there's everytime a free guy who can bring the ball easily. Why? 2 defender plays double team, the last one stays at his guy. The last guy by the way has to leave his position to control both. if he cant, the next guy next to him has to rush, and the next one under the rim has to control both. You always need a majority, playing double team on fullcourt, the last defender has to be in position between 2 offense player and the rim. But in NBA 2k3 the player is focused on just one single player. This wont be a double team, set up by a real coach!

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Please correct me, if i made wrong conclusions but the zone in NBA 2k3 is totally crap in my mind.

"The AI of the defender is focused on the players. it's still man-to-man defense. We need an AI, who can play zone-based-defense, EA !"

[-lac- the goods]

I am pretty sure they are playing 2-3. If you bring a man downlow up to guard the top of the key, a player will drop back. That's what makes it all weird.

[whlee75]

you are exactly right. ea doesn't have the right plays in their playbook.
and i think ea knows about it so thats why they compensate for this mistake by having lightning quick and glue-like cpu players to defend you.

[ChochHolla]

from what i see they are playing 3-2... you have to play 3-2 when there is no offensive players in the lane b/c of the def 3 sec rule. you cant have a center in the middle like in college ball or high school.

i thought they were playing a bad 2-3 but i noticed how they replaced your man in the zone if you dont shift with the ball movement. (ie if you are the pg, you must go to the man with the ball in the center or shift to an elbow of the free throw line on the side which holds the ball. its actually pretty hot how they shift.

[Binhpac]

hey guys, is zone defense allowed in high scool?

the defenders in the zone dont shift right. they are playing a box with one man out playing man-to-man or some kinda stuff, but the system is worst set up.