NBA 2K11 vs. NBA 2K12

Question

What are the differences between NBA 2K11 and NBA 2K12?

Since NBA is still in lockout mode, I don't think there are any changes in team and player lists. What I wonder (as an NBA 2K11 gamer) is whether I'll feel any changes in terms of game play, graphics, modes, etc. if I buy 2K12.

Answer

I have played both, and here are some of the biggest differences I've noticed:

Gameplay changes:

• You can shift into post mode with one button press
• Ally oop passes are easier
• Pump fakes is a lot harder to defend this time, you can easily get someone into the air and draw a foul.
• Improved hot/cold steaks and 3 point shooting. Its a bit easier to make those open shots now, especially on a hot streak.
• Passing is still a bit iffy.

Player Mode changes:

• You now earn a salary. You can use that salary to purchase additional skill points, increase your skill cap, and other things (such as improving team rating), buying dunk packages, etc.
• When your rookie contract expires (takes many seasons!) you can start negotiating with other teams for a better contract.
• There are more key games, and you can simulate to play the next key game from the main menu rather than having to go into the game and choose simulate until end of game.
• The previous height limit for positions have been removed, so you can make a 6 foot center if you wanted to :P

Because of the lockout, the entire rookie class are randomly generated names (really sucks), rather than the actual rookie class of 11.

I haven't explored the other modes in depth yet, but this feels more like a complete game than 2k11 was, at least to me.

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How do I finish a drive in NBA 2k11

Question

More often than not, in a 1 on 1 fast break situation, my player (a guard) drives up to the basket, then ends up being blocked, pushed back by the opposing player, or has to do a layup or floater, missing more than 50% of the time. What kind of moves can I do while driving at full speed at the basket to get a dunk or to avoid being blocked. Also, what can I do to improve those layups since it doesn't seem to be about timing (i.e. holding down the shot key similar to shooting a 3 and getting a perfect release).

Answer

This answer has several problems.

First of all, there is no release point for layups. Just hold down the shot stick.

Finishing around the basket is a skill that must be learned through repetition so you learn how to recognize spacing and know which move to select.

Only attempt a drive with players who are skilled at finishing around the basket. Guys like Rondo, Westbrook, Wall, Wade, etc. all have layup ratings of 90-99.

Never run straight at the defender and attempt a dunk/layup because 9 times out of 10 it will initiate a contact layup animation, and you'll miss/go cold.

Here's what you do. If there is a bit of space, once you hit the elbow area, press L2 + shot stick towards the basket for a Euro-step layup. Very high percentage move.

Or, even better, do a hop step, and then an up and under. That's triangle, then L2+shotstick away from basket, shotstick towards basket. Another money move.

And if all else fails and you end up in the paint with a defender right on you, pump fake a few times and draw the foul.

Master these 2 moves and you'll be able to score on fastbreaks at will. Getting around 1 defender is no problem and if you get good at these moves you can get around 2 defenders. And guys online will start quitting on you. These moves are high percentage because you can initiate their animations farther away from the basket, and once the animation starts, you'll usually Eurostep/hop right around the defender while avoiding contact, and end up directly underneath the basket for an open layup. Even if you get bumped and miss the shot, you'll almost always draw a foul. Test it out on Hall of Fame difficulty vs. the AI. You can literally take Kobe/melo/wade and do the Eurostep ALL GAME and probably end up shooting 30 freethrows.

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