Risk/Reward Series pt.2

In part two of the Risk/Reward series we have to talk about the HUGE hole in the defensive gameplay.

What is it? SIMPLE. The ability to Crowd offensive players who are static or pump-faking trying to fool us on defense. Think about it as a less risky option than a strip or block attempt, (which can be dangerous--fouls) but it should be limited to defenders who don't bite on pump fakes. Watch here as Harden drives into the teeth of the defense and fools no one--but the defenders don't take advantage:

*First let me say that our AI defenders need to be more competent here. Too often users can employ gameplans that depend on the AI being silly. in H2H we're outnumbered 4-to-1 as we can only control one player. There are just some things we need the AI to be able to handle. Pump fakes that don't fool defenders have to become highly contested shots, strips and give the defender the advantage just like they do the offensive player, when they work--we need to see that in gameplay.*

For years there just hasn't been a downside to this tactic, users could channel their inner Charles Smith and do this:

Pump fakes that don't fool the D and being Static/Idle is essentially allowing the defense to recover and key on you. Give users the ability to Crowd the offensive player when they're doing this. Why do we need it? Years ago I mentioned we couldn't implement the ability to draw fouls without adding a counter for users who were going to drive into the paint, pump fake and wait to be fouled by baiting other users. Or simply make a move at the basket and then go static and wait for the defender to react.....well, that time is here and guess what? That counter doesn't exist yet and its left a pretty sizeable gap in the defense. Because now this is happening:

Too often users don't switch onto the defender because the AI has access to more tools than we do--that shouldn't be the case. We should have the ability to crowd static offensive players as well. Check it out here:

How would it work? We think pointing the R-Stick at the offensive player should trigger contests but it can still be similar to what Hands Up Defense is now, you get in position and push the R- Stick up + L2. Its PERFECT for situations where the offense tries to bait the defender and fails. This would provide a less foul-prone counter to pump faking or users being static/idle waiting for the defender to jump, provided the defender has a solid defense rating. Hands Up should trigger the Crowding animation, forcing the offensive player to either pass or risk getting stripped, tied up or into a smothered shot. Let's kill exploitative gameplay like this once and for all:

Its also perfect for situations when our defenders are stuck in this "Dribble Pickup" animation that lets the offensive player recover the ball and too often has the defense out of position after making a good play.

 That can't happen 1) Make the ball live--we should be able to swipe at it  2) Don't take control of our defender--being trapped in animation isn't cool. 3) Let us crowd in situations like these, we've played good defense and the offensive player is in a static position. We should see the reward. Here's the alternative.

We've longed for drawing fouls to return, but it has to be balanced with some kinds of counter mechanic for people trying to bait the user on defense. Blocks and trying to strip the ball are simply too foul-prone. Especially on players with high Draw Foul ratings--you're playing with fire trying that with Harden, Lebron, KD, Curry or Kawhi. And too often we slide off the offensive player. Shamet isn't a great defender but the animation should lock on a player who isn't moving:

Lastly, its essentially perfect defensive position, so not only should it frequently rob a player of his dribble, but we should see Blocks, Strips, Smothered Shots and even Offensive Fouls if the offensive player insists on shooting:

 We've got our fingers crossed that the ability to Crowd offensive players will be a defensive option in the near future.