Need help with defense.

[Josh]

This is my first NBA 2k game, and the only issue I am having is that I am not good on defense at all. Whether it is AI in MyCAREER or online players in MyPark, they almost always manage to get by me and make the shot. Holding LT doesn't help, and by the time I try to block a shot it is usually too late. Also, most of the time when I attempt to steal the ball, I get a reach-in foul.

Does anybody have any tips for me on how I can get better at defense? Thanks.

[SirVicio]

Be carefull with the distance, if you are too close to the rival he will leave you behing. Give him 1 meter distance to let you react in time. And I don´t know if you do it, but don´t jump. Also, try not to press the LT too hard. The harder you press it, more tight is the defense. You should only press it to the bottom if you are very close to the hoop, and with care. Last tip, you can press RT to make side steps faster, but watch out with ancle breaker. Hope that helps you.

[HarryLunte]

Good suggestions from SirVicio. One small correction, though: I'm quite sure, this year, 2K changed how Intense D works and it no longer work on a continuum, commensurate to how far you push down on LT. It's on or off. Binary.

In MyCareer, if you have a new player with bad athleticism and low Lateral Quickness, then it'll be hard to defend better players.

But, in general, try to not react to dribble fakes if you can. Try to move backward and diagonally to beat a guy to a spot he will try to pass through, before he does. Give up a little progress to cut them off, instead of moving strictly laterally. Get the right angle so that you travel a shorter distance than they do, and can beat them to the spot.

[ManButters]

Always be backing up and take angles to cut off their drive. If you're overplaying him left, chances are he's gonna try to cross right and vice-versa. It's easier to close out on a jumpshot than it is to chase someone who's blown past you already. So never let someone backdoor your as_s.

[Its Kembert]

Originally posted by why_U_hack_cuz_U_suck?:

Always be backing up and take angles to cut off their drive. If you're overplaying him left, chances are he's gonna try to cross right and vice-versa. It's easier to close out on a jumpshot than it is to chase someone who's blown past you already. So never let someone backdoor your as_s.

This is the correct way to play D. Never let your guy be behind you, always in front. Also you can set the defense assist strength b/t 0-100. At 0 you'll have more control over your guy. The default is 50. Since you're new, I might raise it. I currently have mine at 0 because I generally know what i'm doing and you have more lateral quickness at lower settings. Try not to reach too much (especially if you have low rating D) because it slows you down, instead you have to be tactical about when to reach.

[ManButters]

Originally posted by Popovich Kerr 2020:

Originally posted by why_U_hack_cuz_U_suck?:

Always be backing up and take angles to cut off their drive. If you're overplaying him left, chances are he's gonna try to cross right and vice-versa. It's easier to close out on a jumpshot than it is to chase someone who's blown past you already. So never let someone backdoor your as_s.

Try not to reach too much (especially if you have low rating D) because it slows you down, instead you have to be tactical about when to reach.

LOL, this is the part I have problems with...too tempting to keep reaching. Risk reward is not worth it though. For every steal I've gotten, I've probably been burned 5x.

[HarryLunte]

Good point on also paying attention to defensive assist. I would actually advise even newbies to just turn it down to 0. Bite the bullet. It totally distorts how one moves around on D.