The progression of game from NBA 2k11 to NBA 2k12 has been vast in terms of game play. The graphics themselves have seen very little improvement but the noticeable change has certainly been in game play and animations. Today we are going to cover the post moves and the improvements that have been introduce in NBA 2k12.
In previous installments of NBA 2k the main ways of exploiting the defense came by means of Isomotion crossovers and drives which made for ease of scoring. However, with the advancements to defense and computer AI the crossover to drive has been limited. The crossover has become a situational move to be executed and not something that is guaranteed each time down the court. However, with that said the improvements that have come to post play make it the choice of offensive play due to the vast array of improvements and choices available when invoked.
So without further a due her are the post plays for NBA 2k12:
A couple notes before executing the below moves. Post play is better designed when executed in an environment where isolation has been called. This prevents the help defense coming in too quickly and unforeseen turnovers. To call for isolation you want hit right on the directional pad and when the menu comes up, hit ‘a’ or ‘x’ on the PS3. Now for the post moves.
Entering and Exiting the Post
Yes I know this one is basic but in an effort to keep the email that come in with basic questions, I feel I have to cover all bases. To enter the post you want to simply pres Y (or triangle on the PS3). To disengage from the post (also known as facing up) it’s as simple as pressing Y (triangle on PS3) again. To disengage while dribbling hold the left stick away from the basket and press Y (triangle on PS3).
Stepback
Not Snapback, Stepback! While you are engaged in the post and dribbling simply hold the left stick away from the basket and press the right trigger (R2 on the PS3). So you’re probably asking what this move is good for. For most people they will possibly find this move to be very limited in application and even more limited in options after being performed. The best application that we have found for this move is for big men that can shoot. So for those big men is creates just enough room for a quick jumper (this works phenomenally with SF position). The same can be done for any of the positions like PG and SG with small men but, let’s be honest, if your controlling JJ Barea, your main goal won’t be posting.
Drive To the Basket
To execute the Drive to basket move you first have to be dribbling the ball in the post. While dribbling move left stick towards the basket and then press Y (triangle on PS3). I have to be completely honest with this one. There haven’t been many time that this move has been executed in an effective manner. When I usually do this move it results in bump that stop my drive short and quick, or it result in a turnover. But, with hat said, when it does work for me it has happened during a baseline post and resulted in slam on the defense.
Aggressive Backdown
To execute this move simply hold the right trigger (R2 on PS3) and hold the left stick in the direction of the basket. There are a couple things you will want to note with this move. Common sense plays a big role in its effectiveness. And what I mean by that is that don’t try to backdown Dwight Howard with Mario Chalmers. Usually the player has to have some sort of weight to them so in essence they have to be a big man. What the aggressive back down is usually used for is basically backing down the defender closer to the rim. For the vast majority of post most moves, you want to execute them as closely as possibly to the key. This move allows you to bring the defender as closely as possible. However when backing down you want to be mindful of the fact that the defender also has counter moves for each post move executed. For this particular move the defender can time your backdown and execute the “chair pull (we will touch on this in another post)” or even steal the ball. So be aware of your surrounding and the defender when execute this along with other moves.
Quick Spin
To execute the quick spin you first have to be dribbling in the post. While dribbling move the let stick towards the baseline and press Y (triangle on PS3). This move is great when executed on the baseline. The reason I recommend the baseline is because it’s easy to identify on the controller which direction to rotate for the baseline and also it minimizes the help defense. When you execute this move I recommend being as close to the key as possible. The quick spin allows you to create enough space at a quick enough rate for you to put in a quick layup.
Drive to Spin
To execute this move, while posted up and dribbling move the left stick toward the baseline and press the right trigger (L2 on PS3). This move is a substitution for when you have posted up a little too far from the key and need a little extra pizzazz and flash to get you closer to the rim in a quick enough time. Basically what it does is a quick fake as if you are going to drive inside for the hoop and then leads into the spin.
Create Space
This move is kind of deceptive and wrong at the same time (you will see what I mean when you do the move). Basically what this move does is pushes the defender back with your bum in the attempt to ‘create space’. However, I have personally found that the defender seem to be stuck to your bum and is sucked back right in when you straighten up. To execute the create space move, you have to be engaged in the post (not dribbling) and then you want to hold the left trigger (L2 on Ps3) and away from the basket.
Shimmy Left or Right
To execute this move you have to be engaged in the post (not dribbling), then you want to quickly move the left stick either to the player right or left. This again is one of those moves that is better used on a human player than with the cpu guarding you. I found that this move success rate in terms of being effective on the computer is very low.
Double Shimmy Shot Left or Right
This is very similar to the shimmy except you shimmy fake on both side and lead into a shot. Very nice combination for either cpu or user defense. This move is most effective when execute by a good shooting big man and in the medium shot range. Just picture Kevin Garnett’s signature shimmy and shot and the range e executes it form.
Post Hook Left or Right
To execute this move, while posted up (in the key) move and hold the right stick to the left to hook on the left side of the defender or to the right to hook to the right side of the defender. This move will be the most annoying move to a defender when done in the key with Dwight Howard or Poor Pau Gasol. It’s as good as money in the bank. In the past I have received questions asking how you know which side to choose when deciding to fade or hook. Most of the time the way you want to hook is the direction opposite to the defender free hand. So if the defender right forearm is engaged in the post and the left is free for the reach, you want to hook right.
Post fade right or Left
To execute this move is very similar to the post hook: while posted up move and hold the right stick to the left to hook on the left side of the defender or to the right to hook to the right side of the defender. The only difference is that it requires being performed out of the key and preferably in the medium range. The same applies to this move when choosing which direction to fade. Fade in the direction opposite to the defender free hand
UP and Under
The name say it all. To execute this move you start as if you are going to execute a fade away but moving your right stick in the direction towards the baseline (if posted on the baseline), just before your player is ready to shoot you move the right stick towards the basket. This will take some practice but its one of the most annoying shots for players who will defend your post shot. they go for the fakes a lot and you either get the easy basket or the foul.
Post Hop Shot Left or Right
To execute this move you initial have to post up while dribbling. From this post position you want to hold left trigger and move the right stick away and to the left or right. This is yet another one you want to have in your arsenal for shooting big men. It creates space by allowing your player to do a hop step away from the defender and providing enough room for the pull up jumper.
Dropstep Layup
To execute the dropstep layup you want to post up (while dribbling), hold the left trigger (L2 on Ps3) and move the right stuck forward and to the left or right of the basket. This move becomes one the best moves at exerting your dominance down low on an opponent. To be effective with this recommend using a big guy like Dwight Howard and posting up right outside of the key. Once executed the hop puts you in perfect position for the easy layup. You are going to find the only way people will be able to stop you is by double team or fouling.
Dropstep Dunk
Execution of this move is very similar to the layup. While posted up with a live dribble and close to the basket, this move simply differ by holding the left trigger (L2 on Ps3) and moving the right stick forward and to the left or right and holding turbo (right trigger or L2 on Ps3). Choosing the side to hop will take some practice but you will begin to notice when a defender is cheating to one side more than the other.
All of the above is documented in the NBA 2k12 extended manual. My goal here is to help you identify the situation that it is best to use them in. For the complete extended NBA 2k12 manual see here.
For More NBA 2k12 tips see here
EXCELLENT Tips, thank you from a new player.
Da Czar, can you do something on rebounding? I don't understand how some guys I play online against have their whole team defend the middle (or at least it seems) and have two three guys crashing the defensive glass, while I have one guy going to the glass on offensive and defensive end. Is there a setting to make your team rebound better? Thanking you in advance….great stuff you are doing.
Hello : just one question that i can't figure out about hook : is it supposed to be a layup / dunk like action (such as you HOLD the left stick the whole shoot) or a jump like shoot : so you have to RELEASE the left stick at the good timing.
So : hold or release at the top ?