What NBA2K11 can teach you about the 2010-2011 NBA season

by RA37thriller on Mar 11, 2011 12:22 PM PST

I'm sure a good number of you have played some NBA2K11 in your life time. Outside of school, It's all I do nowadays. My life is exciting I know. But the reason for my addiction isn't a typical video game love. Yeah Call Of Duty is fun, and you can't beat Mario Kart. But being a "diehard" basketball/NBA/Laker fan, there's nothing like this game. It goes beyond enjoyment of playing it. I love it simply because of how accurate and how scarily precise the game has the teams and players portrayed.

After playing this game I've come to some scary conclusions; If you're playing for money, don't be the Lakers. Just don't be them. Swallow your pride. I had to. When I first started playing for cash I always played as the boys in purple and gold. Win or lose, they're my time. However once I started getting in a debt of hundreds of dollars I knew I had to change things up. I got better. I stopped playing as the Lakers. I won most of my money back. I hate to admit it but I sense a correlation between the game and the league in real life.

If you like winning, here's a list of the teams you should be:

Miami Heat: Yeah I hate them. But in 2K11 you can't lose with them. You have two of the best in the game and an all star big man. The kicker though for why this team is the best is their shooters. Bibby, Chalmers, Miller, Jones, House. Those guys can stroke it. When your big guns are on the bench just fire away the 3 ball with these guys. It's scary how much will go in. Your grandma would whoop your ass with this team.

Boston Celtics: Yeah I was them for a game...maybe two. Alright i played as them three times so sue me. I put up 50 points with Ray Allen every game. Shooting 3's with Sugar ray is as easy as 1 2 3. KG and Pierce give you a good shooter and a decent post up game but the real X factor to this team is Rondo. Having a good PG in this game is key. His shooting is overrated but he's a beast on D. I must say after the trade though their team is not as good as before.

San Antonio Spurs: When Ginobili shoots just assume it's going. You have a speedy point guard in Parker and a solid big man in the Mr. Fundamental. Jefferson gives you some athleticism although i must say he's vastly overrated in this game. Check his stats 2K11, jeez. Bonner, Hill, and Neil provide some decent off the bench shooting which is key in this game.

Orlando Magic: You have the best defensive big man in the game. So if he's in don't take it to the paint. It's a waste of time trust me. Like Manu and Ray, for whatever reason this game views Hedo Turkoglu as a knockdown shooter. Every time he shoots it goes in. It's not fair I know. You have Jameer Nelson, J-Rich, and Gilbert. From what I've seen this game created Arenas from his skill in 07. Not exactly up to date but o well. Ryan Anderson, Q-Rich, and my boy J.J. Redick provide the much valued off the bench shooting.

New York Knicks: Ever since the trade everyone wants to play as the Knicks. I now know why. Melo, Stoudemire, and Billups. In 2K terms that's all you need. Williams, Fields, and Douglas provide the bench help.

Now here's why you don't want to be the Lakers:

In 2K11, when participating in some high stakes games, you need a team with a superstar. While the Lakers have one in Kobe. He just doesn't have the speed or athleticism nowadays that a LeBron or Wade have. He's not the same Kobe I once knew in NBAlive05. You'll need shooters which the Lakers don't really have. Kobe can hit em. But don't shoot with Fish or Ron. Lamar is hit or miss. Our bench shooting is laughable. Shannon, Steve, and Matt are not knockdown shooters. The one advantage the Lakers would seem to have over everyone is their bigs, which in some ways is true. Playing as the Lakers you'll never get outrebounded. Also it should be noted that apparently Andrew Bynum cannot make a two footer. No matter how wide open, according to 2K11. In terms of offense, Video games just aren't for the Posts. 2K11 is a guards game. The Lakers just aren't the Belle of the Ball when it comes to 2K11.

Maybe that's just the status of the Lakers in real life. A team with an aging superstar, no shooters, and at times ineffective and soft big men.

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Comments

I haven't been playing it long, but...

Every time I’ve played online as the Lakers, I get my ass handed to me. I was thinking it was because of the way my opponents would take one player (Lebron, for example) and run around wildly until they got close to the basket. It’s hard to guard against that. Switched to a zone defense and that helped a little. Regardless, I keep losing. I probably just suck. Ok, take “probably” out of that sentence.
Blake can knock down 3s, as well as Ron-Ron. Pau’s decent with a mid range jumper, and I usually make Brown run the point because he’s faster than Fish. All of this said, I still lose. I will NEVER play as Boston or Miami. I’ve only played as the Lakers or Thunder.

"I want what all men want. I just want it more." - Kobe Bryant

by Deuce4Mamba on Mar 11, 2011 12:35 PM PST reply actions

This is why that game is bullshit.

Playing as the Lakers you’ll never get outrebounded.

It’s like teaching all little girls that all love stories end with HAPPILY EVER AFTER, like Cinderella.

Life/the Lakers ain’t like that!

2010 was a kick ass year. - Kobe Bryant
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose. - Bill Gates
To be great is to be misunderstood. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tweetness: @SoCalGal64

by SoCalGal on Mar 11, 2011 1:26 PM PST reply actions

I hate all sports games, except Fifa. The AI just isnt at the point where they do what they should specially in 2K, it pisses me off.

Ill pass it to Drew wide open for a dunk, and he’ll do some 360 lay-up thing that never goes in. Little things like that.

by Kevin M. on Mar 11, 2011 8:30 PM PST reply actions

I just got up on this game

Since everyone keeps saying it’s hot, im still learning

"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard"-Norm Nixon

There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be committed against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the Limelight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

I'm on it so let's tweet: @B_M_Bizness

by BrittneyM on Mar 11, 2011 8:47 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I beg to differ...

I play with the Lakers on a regular basis and play a “seven game series” with many of my friends here in Maine who are Celtic and Knick Fans and I’m telling you that after sometime, nailing a three with artest or blake or brown or even fish isn’t that difficult. Gasol’s mid range is great while Lamar’s shot is rather quick both on the perimeter and the foul line. None the less, all player shots takes time to gain a sense of familiarity but after you know it, you’ll soon realize how and why talks of a three-peat exist.

by Skives47 on Mar 11, 2011 11:03 PM PST reply actions

PS

I’ve made a two footer from Bynum and a three from Gasol

by Skives47 on Mar 11, 2011 11:04 PM PST up reply actions

A two-footer from Bynum? That's impressive, lol

"If you have a debate with a scholar, you can win. If you have a debate with an ignorant person, you will definitely lose."

"I'm a perfectionist who's not perfect." - Ron Artest

8 + 24 > 23 + 6

by LakerAce on Mar 11, 2011 11:50 PM PST up reply actions

Nearly all shooting problems can be solved with just practicing everyone's stroke

Although it’s irritating not to have someone automatically make it from the corner.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 12, 2011 2:46 AM PST up reply actions

Post up Drew or Pau

Drop-step spin towards the basket you get a dunk every time.

Kobe doesn’t miss, it’s easy getting shot after shot. His 3-point shooting isn’t great, bu toh well.

Adam Morrison. You can adjust his stats to get a more realistic take on his abilities. He has 99 on everything. Kinda like real life.

For me its the consistent inconsistency that concerns me - PAGFL
It's always AMMO Time, in spirit- DexterFishmore
lebron should just lock himself away and not talk for the rest of forever-LA32

by 99bc99 on Mar 11, 2011 11:22 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

His 3 point shooting is awesome in the game

that or I can just control it really easily

mmmmm.... delicious

by Cup Noodles on Mar 12, 2011 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

I kick everyones ass with any team

on x box live, this guy picked the orlando magic. i picked the lakers and whooped his ass. he quit in the 3rd quarter. He messaged me saying i couldnt pick them. So i picked the heat and again, he quit bc of the ass whooping being givne to him. then he said i couldnt pick any top 10 teams. So i picked the mavs, and was up by 20 in the 2nd before he quit. I finally conceited and said that he could pick my team. He made me play as the Golden State Warriors and i was up by 33 before the asshole quit in 3rd quarter…AGAIN.

But i agree with you that the Heat are ridiculously easy to play with. Fast break alley-oops all day

Kobe: "Listen, if you told me at the beginning of the year that we’ve got two games at home to win a championship, yeah, I’ll take that shit"

by hrghori on Mar 12, 2011 3:33 AM PST reply actions

xbox?

wats yo GT

"Phil Jackson seems to enjoy his status as 'NBA grand philosopher' and uses that platform to lob verbal hand grenades into other franchises or the league offices for fun." - Kurt Helin
Stalk, err, Follow me on Twitter: @bluefalcon916

by bluexfalcon on Mar 12, 2011 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

It's never about the team

it’s about skill.

mmmmm.... delicious

by Cup Noodles on Mar 12, 2011 8:04 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

You all have persuaded me to play as the Lakers again

Time to go practice

Leaving Jimmer Fredette open for 3 is like leaving Brad Pitt alone with your wife. You know he's gonna hit it.

by RA37thriller on Mar 12, 2011 10:45 AM PST reply actions

LOL, man you gotta practice

ron ron and fisher shoots the 3 better then kobe, rating wise on 2k, and shannon brown can get 20 plus easy, and Kobe wont miss, you could go for like a 100, lol and Gasol dont even go there, I could score 30 all off jumpers, but yep every problem can be solved just practice shooting, till your automatic no matter if tough D is on you or not, and Miami can be stopped, usually everyone who picks them just want to get to the basket to try and dunk, but yea you were wrong about Shannon, Steve and Matt, there all knockdown 3 ball shooters, and Blake and Shannon have a nice mid-range game

by KobeBryantSlamDunkGiant on Mar 12, 2011 2:23 PM PST reply actions

How to win as the Lakers in 2K11.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Kobe baseline fadeaway
2. Kobe baseline fadeaway
3. Kobe baseline fadeaway

Seriously if you master this shot and get the timing down, not only is it completely unblockable, you’ll hit it 80+% of the time. Unless you are giving up dunks and layups every time on defense, you’ll win handily.

by AndyChrono on Mar 12, 2011 3:08 PM PST reply actions

use shannon brown as the atheletic slasher

the game loves to give you dunks

Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.

by LOOOeee on Mar 12, 2011 3:37 PM PST reply actions

I never have any problems making threes with Fisher or Shannon

I have trouble making them with Artest, but maybe I just haven’t mastered his release yet.

I agree that this is a guards game. Posting isn’t as effective as it should be and shooting is way more effective than it actually is (although it’s still an awesome game). But jumpers with Gasol and Kobe work great for me, and I can use Fisher well because I know that overhead release really well. I never have any problem whooping ass with the Lakers, although I agree that playing as the Heat with a million shooters and LeBron and D-Wade is pretty easy to win with.

"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."- Kobe Bryant

Thanks for the memories Andy

by nyyrocks29 on Mar 12, 2011 6:05 PM PST reply actions

lol great article

I don’t have a problem saying, ‘Your franchise player sucks.’ - Ron Artest

by _logan_ on Mar 12, 2011 9:13 PM PST reply actions

i just have trouble getting my passes stolen every fucking time

Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.

by LOOOeee on Mar 13, 2011 2:41 PM PDT reply actions

Are you playing as Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown?

Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose. - Bill Gates
To be great is to be misunderstood. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tweetness: @SoCalGal64

by SoCalGal on Mar 13, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Zingggg

Leaving Jimmer Fredette open for 3 is like leaving Brad Pitt alone with your wife. You know he's gonna hit it.

by RA37thriller on Mar 13, 2011 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Um, the Lakers?

I’ll play any of you with the Lakers (they’re all I play with).

Gamertag: nirvana1455, hit me up

Vikas Srinath

by vikas_s24 on Mar 14, 2011 8:41 AM PDT reply actions

Man

idk how you can shoot with Ray Allen. I’ve been trying to get that shot down for so long, but I’m still inconsistent with it. Other than that, I hardly ever play with the Heat because it is unfair that everyone on that team can shoot. So easy to garner the stats on that team.

As for the Lakers, if you actually run their plays you can get favorable position on the block everytime for Pau and Bynum. In which case you need to just use the trigger key and work the Dream Shake down low and you’ll score or get fouled like 75% of the time. Hell, I pump fake so often I live at the ft line most games.

These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the end game. - Charlie Wilson

TRADE KOBY FOR LUTHER HEAD!!!! (it's a movement)

KOBY BRAYNT isn't bi-polar, he's #Bi-WINNING

by Marty Mart on Mar 14, 2011 8:49 AM PDT reply actions

the post is unstoppable!

What are people talking about? Gasol on the low block is either a basket or foul everytime. You really need to learn to run plays or ull get smoked. As for the heat put bryant on him with back up defense gasol on bosh with deny ball and play tight on big Z. The player starts freaking out and forcing with wade which I better than all 3 bombing on you. Oh and bryany baseline fadeaway ALL Day. And Gasol kick out to Artest or brown, 3’s alll day. This game is money you just have to not suck and use your basketball IQ. One of the best sports games ever made. Lakers are too damn good in this 2k11

"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women." -The Barbarian

by traceSD on Mar 15, 2011 8:25 PM PDT via mobile reply actions