Taking the Slamball Out of Our NBA Games

For my family and I, the holidays are traditionally a time when we pile into a rental car and head down to Florida to enjoy some warm weather.

Historically, the best part of these trips has not been the beaches, the ocean, the golf courses or the big-screen TV with the fancy satellite package; rather, it is the outdoor basketball courts next to our hotel, which are packed every day from breakfast to dinner with a large mix of athletes:

Mostly the courts are filled with kids who are just beginning their high school careers and twenty-somethings like myself who are still in their athletic prime, but there are also a few older guys in their thirties/forties who are just out there reliving past athletic glories.

There is something special about these pick-up games. There is something about getting a random group of people together and bonding around a common goal (scoring hoops) that really captures the essence of sports and friendly competition.

Read More - Taking the Slamball Out of Our NBA Games

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# 1 GSW @ 12/29/08 01:31 PM

Thats a real good article.

I didnt like how it started off but you finished strong.

# 2 7stringking @ 12/29/08 03:12 PM

No turbo is unrealistic...Players change speeds in real life

# 3 7stringking @ 12/29/08 03:13 PM

2k0 DOESallow you to physically tie up offensive players......

# 4 Bumble14 @ 12/29/08 03:32 PM

I think it's important to note that not everyone minds the more up-tempo style of video game basketball. Simulation/slow paced isn't for everyone.

My personal opinion is that it isn't really the games fault for "slamball" being played, but rather the players. I'd rather have a game that allows me to play more up-tempo than throwing in restraints that hinder the flow of the game..ala 2K basketball lately.

No sports game is ever going to replicate the gameplay of an actual game. I think it's important that we realize that these are video games, and we should enjoy them for what they are.

# 5 wEEman33 @ 12/29/08 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7stringking


	No turbo is unrealistic...Players change speeds in real life

But with a decent game engine, you don't need a turbo button to control acceleration; all you need is an analog stick to tell your player how hard you want him to to go, and the game will take care of all the momentum and acceleration for you.

Have you played EA's NHL games since they took out the turbo button? NHL '09 probably has the best momentum physics of any sports game out there, and a large part of why it works so well is the absence of the "turbo" button that used to let players instantly accelerate to top speed and fly around the ice like they had no weight at all.

That's the problem in these NBA games: players can skate around the court at top speed with no feeling of momentum or acceleration, unless they happen to have the ball in their hands.

For some reason, these games have decided that only the ball handler needs to be subject to the laws of momentum and acceleration.

Next year's games need to make everyone on the court subject to the same physics, otherwise you get the mess that we have right now, where everybody but the ball handlers can zoom around the court all game long like they're The Flash.

# 6 7stringking @ 12/29/08 06:14 PM

Barry Allen??

# 7 gbx34 @ 12/29/08 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	But with a decent game engine, you don't need a turbo button to control acceleration; all you need is an analog stick to tell your player how hard you want him to to go, and the game will take care of all the momentum and acceleration for you. Have you played EA's NHL games since they took out the turbo button? NHL '09 probably has the best momentum physics of any sports game out there, and a large part of why it works so well is the absence of the "turbo" button that used to let players instantly accelerate to top speed and fly around the ice like they had no weight at all. That's the problem in these NBA games: players can skate around the court at top speed with no feeling of momentum or acceleration, unless they happen to have the ball in their hands. For some reason, these games have decided that only the ball handler needs to be subject to the laws of momentum and acceleration. Next year's games need to make everyone on the court subject to the same physics, otherwise you get the mess that we have right now, where everybody but the ball handlers can zoom around the court all game long like they're The Flash.

Correct. After thinking NHL was dumb for having no turbo, I played it and it was the best thing they can get rid of, and i wish they would take it out in all games. Now i always think NHL by 2k is just stupid, because of the turbo.

# 8 wEEman33 @ 12/29/08 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7stringking


	2k0 DOESallow you to physically tie up offensive players......

But what does it say for the game's idea of defense when the only way you can deny your man the ball is to grab his jersey and hope the ref doesn't catch you committing a blatant foul?

There needs to be a legal way of playing "denial" defense that allows you to keep your defender between his man and the ball while cutting off the passing lanes (it feels like this is something that could be easily assigned to holding down the left trigger).

This would force offensive players to look for backdoor opportunities if they want to attack the basket or use cuts and screens to get open along the perimeter (which is exactly what happens on real basketball courts).

Right now, offensive players are able to run around in circles and move anywhere they want to on the floor as if the defense wasn't even on the court.

But if the developers can give the defense more of a chance to contest passes and physically keep players out of the paint with strength and body positioning (ala Shaq or Patrick Ewing), then it would go a long way to getting the games to resemble a brand of basketball that is more than:

1) Force the ball into the paint

2) Attempt layup/dunk/hook shot

3) ???

4) Profit!!!

# 9 deepen03 @ 12/29/08 11:32 PM

This is completely false:
"In real life, off-ball players have to make cuts or use screens to get open, but in both of this year�s games, offensive players can simply run around in circles to get open, and the defensive players have no chance at all of staying with their men or deflecting any passes that might get thrown their way. This issue leads to the next problem."

2k9 has an amazing off-ball animation system. the players are constantly moving around as long as you know how to use the play-calling system. Please learn how to play the game properly before criticizing.

# 10 wEEman33 @ 12/30/08 01:23 AM

I certainly wouldn't call it "amazing," but I agree that the off-ball system is at least decent in the single-player/head-to-head modes.

However, the focus of the article is strictly limited to the game's online team play mode, where off-ball defense is non-existent.

# 11 7stringking @ 12/30/08 10:36 AM

I agree DEFENSE needs to be improved..

Turbo DOES NOT need to be taken out...

Can you imagine a football game with no turbo?

That would be AWFUL!!!

Of course Madden is kinda awful anyways

# 12 Panzeh @ 12/30/08 10:50 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing turbo taken out as I think the stick gives plenty of opportunity to vary your speed if you like as it is.

I'd improve off-ball defense by allowing off-ball defenders to use lock down D but become much more easily screened when using it.

# 13 Bobolini @ 12/30/08 01:42 PM

I agree the defense needs to be better and I think the turbo needs to stay but it must have a fatigue penalty for using too much. Could you imagine having a jet with full afterburners all the time.

# 14 X*Cell @ 12/30/08 01:59 PM

Defenders leaving their feet at the 3 point line always ends up rewarding the shooter... and at the least, like 95% of the time. This game has a hard-on for pump fakes. That alone can ruin a game.

# 15 ILLSmak @ 12/30/08 05:22 PM

I think Turbo was invented for games like NBA jam when there was no pressure sensitivity on the stick, you know? Now that there is, you really don't need a turbo button.

Also, the ball handler still isn't held to accurate momentum. Too much wiggling! Or what about these dudes that run under the basket, stop, back up, then jump for the dunk. That would never happen. They need to (imo) almost base the animation system purely on dribbling. How cool would that be? I dunno if you guys see what I am saying, but that would make it so that the ball would always be hitting the floor and you wouldn't be able to walk backwards while dribbling (or holding the ball in a palming animation.)

-Smak

# 16 TheMax1087 @ 12/31/08 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepen03


	2k9 has an amazing off-ball animation system. the players are constantly moving around as long as you know how to use the play-calling system. Please learn how to play the game properly before criticizing.

He was refering specifically to 5 on 5, and even if that werent the case, its not actually possible for human players to manually trigger most of those animations off ball, which is a problem ive had with basketball games for a while. Playing the passing lane shouldnt be the only way to keep the ball out of the hands of a superstar guard.

# 17 Slymm @ 12/31/08 06:51 PM

Played about 4 online games today and everyone I played, played the same way: Inbound to PG pass to C streaking upthe court, layup dunk. Anytime they couldn't get that play they didn't know what to do. I need some decent people to play online against in Live

# 18 Bornindamecca @ 12/31/08 08:07 PM

Every single Team Up experience I've had with 2k has been fantastic. Better than good. Like anything else, if you play with guys whose game doesn't agree with yours, you'll have a disagreeable experience.

Lack of Turbo penalty and momentum is a problem in all bball game modes, but if you play team up with sim gamers, the game is built to give you a really fun experience. It's new and it still needs work, but it's not so bad that you should have to shelve it.

# 19 Cod @ 01/02/09 11:54 AM

Getting rid of the turbo button and adding pressure sensitivity to the analog control is the answer. The further in a direction you move the stick, the faster your player will run. Most sports games have this feature to some extent, but the turbo just multiplies a players speed at least five-times. Guys like Tim Duncan should never be able to keep up with Chris Paul, etc.. And w/ Duncan using turbo and Paul not, this happens all the time.

Again, like some have said, the answer is all in the engine and physics.