Basketball is a fluid, dynamic, and ever-evolving sport. Obviously, NBA players today don’t play like they did in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Strategies and previously “unorthodox” ways of doing things continue to evolve to this day. One of those ways the game evolves is how player positions continue to be redefined. In this article, we go over that concept in relation to positions and the skill of facilitating.
Redefining the Facilitator Role
As mentioned before, one of the beautiful things about basketball (and which translates to NBA 2K), is that it’s a dynamic game and that positions continue to evolve. For example, just because a player is the designated “point guard,” doesn’t automatically or necessarily anoint them the “quarterback” of the team or someone who should have the highest usage rate. The days of the “traditional PG” archetype of Magic Johnson and John Stockton have given way and broadened to scoring PG’s like Steph Curry and Damian Lillard. A point guard being the “QB” of the team has been the traditional role, but facilitating / playmaking and assists can come from any position on the court. Case in point:
- PG: Steph Curry (not a traditional facilitating PG)
- SG: Luka Doncic
- SF: LeBron James
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: Nikola Jokic
All these non-PG’s are masters at facilitating, court vision, and droppin’ dimes to rack up assists. They didn’t let their given position define them or limit them, and this strategic approach has been very effective for their NBA teams. Here’s how you can use this same strategy in NBA 2K24:
How This Can Help Your REC or Pro-Am Team
Many casual REC and Pro-Am players in NBA 2K make the mistake of subscribing to pre-conceptions that limit their understanding of basketball. That if someone is the point guard, then that automatically anoints them as the guy that gets all the assists or needs the ball in their hand every possession – and all possession (even if their court vision sucks). This isn’t always the case in basketball (as noted before), and doesn’t have to be. Here’s why:
More Playmaking Options = More Versatile & Stronger Team
Take the Golden State Warriors for example. Steph Curry lines up as “the point guard,” but it’s Draymond Green (a power forward with great bball IQ, court vision, and passing skills) who runs the ship as the facilitator. Because Curry and Klay Thompson are such lethal sharpshooters, this allows them to play off ball, going around screens so they can better looks, force switches for better matchups, etc. It just makes sense. Curry obviously is also great at creating his shot on his own, which gives them a different look. Put it all together, and it adds to their versatility as an offense and makes them a better team.
NBA champion coach Steve Kerr isn’t subscribing to the traditional role of PG’s – so why should 2K players? That’s not to say “PG’s shouldn’t pass,” it’s actually the opposite. It means that to win, player roles should be defined as what makes the most basketball sense, not just playing the “traditional roles.” Basketball is a creative game, and if more players in 2K understood that, then more memorable and fun moments could be created online while they rack up W’s. For example, maybe the center should get the most usage rate on a team (like Jokic) if he’s a better passer and better at setting up his teammates, or maybe a PG is better suited to play off-ball. It all depends on the skillsets of the players on a team.
More Unpredictable Offense
Dribbling behind a screen for 20 seconds in 5-out? Sure, this may sometimes get the job done against Pro-Am teams who don’t know how to defend it. But after awhile, versus the best defenses who have great team chemistry and know how to rotate, it gets stale and super predictable. A team should want their offense to be unpredictable, keep the defense on their toes, and have plan B, C, and D options / strategies, whether that means a big facilitates or any other “non-traditional” strategy (whether it be for 2K or real basketball).
Better Team Chemistry
When teams try something new, or a new strategy, it forces them to do things to try to get on the same page. Having more tricks in the bag (as a team) with more options and a more versatile offense just means more ways the team is practicing strategic concepts and working together. All of this is sure to improve team chemistry, timing, and overall continuity of a Pro-Am team.
Conclusion
Obviously it’s going to come down to player’s skillsets, basketball IQ, mechanics, etc. on what strategy to deploy, but the lesson here is to look at the game of basketball and what types of strategies are possible. Happy hooping!
