2K9 = frustration!!! This game is driving me nuts

[Patr1ck]

I don't know why the pg is driving on you all the time. Maybe it is because you are playing him too tightly.

[Leander]

I always play man to man defense. When the computer passes to a teammate I switch to my player guarding him and always try to stay in front of him having D-lock pressed.

I mostly press the pass button to select a player, then press D-lock...
Well, in Live 2005 this worked well. My player stood in the attacker`s way...he couldn`t just run to the basket. In NK9 there is no bumping or player collisions in general. My man is in front of the attacking cpu player but I cannot make a body contact or cut his way. I stand in front of him having D-lock pressed but he runs to the hoop some millimeters next to my player. Without D-lock I can also stand in front of the attacker all the time but the computer just runs by as if my player did not have a body. He almost runs through my player.

My last game was really horrible. The Thunder shot 72% from the field. There were many jump shots as well with my man standing in front of the attacker but they hit everything.

[nicosantos76]

Like speaking to a rock...

[Leander]

Nicosantos Which rosters do you use? Where can I find the sliders you use?

[nicosantos76]

Nicosantos Which rosters do you use? Where can I find the sliders you use?

I use the default rosters, I only did some trades and saved them.

The sliders I use are here:



http://www.sportsgamer.com/forums/nba-2k/198941-playmakers-nba-2k9-sliders.html

[Leander]

Thanks. They look good so far. I watched a cpu vs. cpu game twice. The gameplay was nice. The only problem: a 3P % between 15-25%. Even Boston with Allen and Pierce couldn´t make their shots. All four teams did not hit their attempts.

Then I played a game myself. Well, the cpu team stole the ball on one of three possessions. My game is way to static and maybe this game is not for me as it is too difficult with playcalling, dual control and such. I don´t want to run and gun, I want to have realistic statistics but without learning dozens of plays and pressing dozens of button combinations.
I should buy a PS3 gamepad as my bad game also is due to my gamepad.

I will play a few more games with different settings and practice. If I don´t get the results I want I will play 2K only for fun and stick to Live 2005 for my dynasty. You must know that I play basketball games for realistic statistics...and then compare a player`s averages over some seasons. But without having to work hard in the actual played game.

Still, I think it is really, really great that you can assign playing time to your rosters and created players even have a call name if their last name is known by the game. I created a fantasy played named Shawn Anderson and he was called Anderson in an exhibition game.

How do YOU play defense? With your sliders and the Allstar level the cpu got many open shots and I couldn´t defend him at all.
What buttons do you use?

Another question: how do you assign minutes to your rotation without the gamepad? It works with the gamepad but I prefer the mouse...and it doesn`t work. I can only select the first player in the list and assign minutes to him but I cannot select another player.

[Patr1ck]

2K can be played and enjoyed with only three or four buttons. Shoot, pass, switch and rebound. Pass the ball around slowly and watch players make cuts and try to get open on their own. You can actually play a very relaxed game and still win.

Do not play on All Star level. You will hate the game, no matter what sliders you use. Especially since this is your first time playing a 2K bball game. I don't like All Star in 2K9 and I have played 2K since 2K7.

I guess the arrow keys can help you scroll through the list of players. You don't prefer the mouse, your just conditioned by Live's port. I move the mouse off the screen when the game starts and never touch it after that.

Just so you know, the more sliders you change the more unbalanced the game becomes. It's pretty good with the default sliders on Pro difficulty. Only a few personal touches need to be made based on your preference.

Use fraps, lower your video settings and record a couple quarters of basketball with you playing(or a couple of clips where you feel frustrated by what happened). Upload it so we can get an idea of what you are doing wrong.

[Leander]

PDub I use playmaker's sliders which are said to be realistic. He recommends Allstar or Superstar.

If I switch to Pro I cannot use the same sliders, can I?

These sliders are far better than the default ones, at least in a cpu vs. cpu game.

Here they are:

http://www.sportsgamer.com/forums/nba-2 ... iders.html

I cannot use icon pass at the moment because of the odd Bsomething icons. I tried to install a patch with Nexmod without success.
I don't have a desktop symbol of the game. I have to start Steam and load the game from there. With Texmod nothing was changed in-game.

[Patr1ck]

I ignore the button icons and just learn my team. If you know your team and who is playing what position, you will get familiar with the icon passing. I still have problems every now and then, mostly due to a different player being used for a play (SF instead of SG, etc). Basically...

Pass/Switch - PG
Crossover/Take Charge - SG
Shoot/Steal - SF
Spin/Rebound/Block - PF
Dual Player Control/Double Team - Center

You can use the same sliders on Pro. I don't answer questions regarding Texmod due to a certain forum rule.

[Leander]

Yesterday I played a game with Playmaker's sliders on Pro. I was Boston and hosted the Lakers. Guess what...the game was FUN! I'm still learning things but it is really fun when your cpu teammates run around, set screens...or try to find an open spot. I didn't use Icon passing and only used pick and roll and no defensive strategy but had some good moments: open shots, nice passes and so on. Successful plays are hard work though. My good moments were rather limited.

The Lakers grabbed many offensive boards and I couldn't defend them well. Defense is still my main problem. I think I am too slow. I can defend the first few seconds of the cpu team's possession but then I am too slow for one second and the cpu player takes the shot with some seconds on the shotclock. I am always one step too late. The AI is very good, at least they play cat and mice with me. They fool me in the paint or pass back to an unguarded player at the 3P-line.

Vujacic and Farmar led the Lakers in scoring.

Finally, I lost by 40 points. 102-62. LOL

Garnett missed some minutes with an ankle injury, had a rather bad start but improved afterwards.

It is easy to get shots in the paint. Especially Perkins just had to drop it. He was 4/5 from the field.

My questions:

1) How do you double-team a player?

2) My game is so slow and static. Your player dribbles around when tapping the turbo or the backdown button but it all is so random. Very often, I want to use crossovers and spinmoves to get to a certain spot on the court but my player ends somewhere else because he spins in other directions than he should.

3) How do you back down your defender? Garnett or Perkins do it once or twice but then they stop. I also tried to make some moves with Pierce but he also stopped dribbling in front of the defender. Is this the way it should be? Do players stop their motion when body contact with the defender is established? Or is it due to my gamepad?

Here are the team stats:

[Angelo]

Just practice more with your gamepad in practice mode or in a 5vs5 Blacktop game..that is where i also learned on how to set plays and defend well

[GuCcI08]

if u want sliders to try out go here: http://www.operationsports.com/forums/nba-2k-sliders/ i recommend using the_future420 sliders. i got tha most replies so u kno its definitely a good one or nogster's sliders iono y it got little response but he's got alot of experience.

[Patr1ck]

1) Make sure you are close to the ballhandler with either his current defender or the player you want to double team with and press the same button that is used for dual player control.

2)I'm not very good at doing crossovers with isomotion. I usually do it while my player is standing still, to try and get the defender to bite. Just tap the turbo button and during the hesitation move, press the left analog towards the opposite ballhand. You might have to press the turbo during the hesitation move to pull this off, I am not sure. I am only good at the spin, behind the back, and triple threat moves. I rely on the triple threat moves for penetration because they seem more effective. I have posterized several players by doing a triple threat fake middle and going wide to the baseline. You can try the crossover and spin buttons. I believe all the isomotion moves can be performed with them with variations by using the turbo button or by moving or not. I'm not completely sure since I don't use them much.

3)I had the same problem. I found out that once you initiate the backdown scenario, you need to let go of the button and keep pressing into your defender. Sometimes I still stop and I am not sure why, but after a moment they back down some more. I tried pressing turbo and my player ends up getting the ball poked out. Maybe it has something to do with the strength attribute or that 2k didn't want people abusing this by making it so easy. I'm still not sure.

It's good that you are having fun. I found that this game is more fun when you are patient and don't try to do everything.

[GuCcI08]

if u play teamwork its gonna be fun juz like in real life. u think nba players think is fun if he's doin all tha work? uhhhh no. can go ask kobe xD

[Leander]

Thanks for all your replies. There is still a long way to go. This time I used the default sliders, played 4x10 minutes on Pro...again Boston vs. LA Lakers.

What a loss again, 62-107. Always those 62 points. LOL My first quarter is always good but then my players miss shots they have made before.

FG% was 40 - 62.
Fast break points: 2 - 22.

I tap the stick slightly to the wrong direction and the cpu hits the three immediately. Jordan Farmar killed me again and again. I had like 13 turnovers...of which approx. 6-7 were due to shot clock violation. Everything takes so much time. I pass to Garnett. He is standing in the paint...I move the left stick but he is stuck. I try different buttons...then he finally moves a bit just to be stuck again and the shotclock expires. Some things work just to not work again a minute afterwards.

I really should record a video of my game. Would be quite fun to watch...my loss to your amusement. LOL

I just cannot handle the controls. They are like glue, everything moves so slowly and takes so much time. I have to work with my sticks and press different buttons just to make 1-2 steps.

My successful possessions are not beautiful at all except for some rare good plays. Garnett was double-teamed often...I passed him the ball but couldn`t even pass back because two defenders sticked to him like glue and a jumpball was called.

Still, I can make those ugly "I pass to a PF or C in the paint and makes some ugly shot" points. Garnett was 13-17 from the field but Ray Allen or Pierce were 2-15 or something.

Thanks again for your help. Maybe I`ll get better...some day.

PS PDub Sometimes backing down works better by pressing the backdown buttons repeatedly.

[Beatboxer]

Try this formula in teh game settings:

Gamespeed = Playerspeed = Quickness = 55

After i had tried this, the game became much more responsive.

But yeah. It's almost impossible to break some canned animations.

[Patr1ck]

As soon as that double team comes, you gotta be ready to pass it because 2k has implemented the most wack double team animation and even after pressing pass it takes a second for him to give the ball up. I think you can shoot out of the double team, though.

I have to work with my sticks and press different buttons just to make 1-2 steps.

I still don't understand that. You hold your stick in a direction and your player jogs or sets his feet and goes in that direction as long as he isn't impeded by a defender. Hold turbo and he runs. If you think the movement is too slow, you can turn the game speed up.

[Leander]

Wow, I still suck.

I changed the sliders in my favour but still lost against the mighty Thunder by 12. They still hit 54% from the field.

Gotta drink more beer andf change more sliders. LOL

[Bruce]

Hi leander. Looking over the stats, I think you need to learn to shoot free throws with more consistency. And judging from what you wrote regarding getting garnett free, you have to operate the ball more from mid-range. You have two of the best shooters in the game today in Allen and Pierce. For instance, if garnett is doubled teamed, somebody else has to be open, even if it is perk who is free, pass him the ball. It is really stupid that perkins has incredibe range on his jump shot in 2k9. I think you have trouble trusting bench players to nail the shot. If you can make perk nail the 15 footer, getting allen and pierce should be money. And about farmar killing you, don't be afraid to give up one or two fouls, farmar will miss a free throw or two. He is not that great a free throw shooter. Btw, are you playing 5 min games? if so I think you have to slow down the pace of your game, this might help you keep the errors down.

2k9 is really frustrating me as well, It took me a week until I got to beat the pro level. And another week to beat all-star. And I barely squeaked by in the all-star level. Clutch free throws saved the day for me (for a huge 2 pt win ). Now, I'm up to learning to call plays, and hopefully beat superstar soon. If this was real basketball, I would have already knocked somebody to the floor. Too bad the rush of playing this game doesn't translate to extra strength or speed to your players. In real games the rush really helps in nailing the shot down, reaching for the longer rebounds and going up for the block. In 2k9 though, keeping cool and controlling the pace of the game really helps in playing this game.

[Leander]

Thanks for your words, Bruce. PDub pmed his sliders and I can handle the game better now. My main problem is my gamepad and controls in general. I think I also had these problems when playing the 2K8 demo on a friend's PS3. The players just spin around in other directions than I want them to and some good moves are still random. I am used to Live. I didn't use many moves there except for crossovers, spin moves, hesitations and step backs. And backing down, then go for a hook. My problem is that moving and iso motion are both controlled with the left stick. I think controls are a bit more difficult on the PC than on consoles.
Although my pads are good and work with other games perfectly I'll get a new gamepad soon just for 2K9...the wired Xbox360 pad.