Team momentum

Does anyone feel that momentum is as big an issue as it had been for 2k13 and 2k14? I know the devs swore up and down that they didn't program it into those two games, but it sure felt like you were helpless when the other team had momentum going for them. I couldn't quite prove it (like the shot clock cheese), but it definitely felt like cpu assist was on.

So far, I think it's much better in 2k15. I don't feel as helpless when the other team is on a big run. It used to affect the entire game, not just the shooting. If momentum was against you, you'd miss layups, turn the ball over, get it stolen, other team grabs crazy rebounds, they'd get kick ball calls, etc.

I think it's more balanced this year. I feel that you can chip away at a lead and get things under control if you call timeouts, settle things down and start tightening up your game.

Yeah I agree.. Sometimes they go on big runs but I have been able to stop some of those cheesy 3rd quarter runs by the cpu.. And when I don't stop them I usually am able to identify why.. There is still some cheese but it is toned down..

its realistic teams go on runs all the time in the NBA and when they do they seem to just not miss and to make perfect passes everything just clicks when a team is feeling it. it happens.

its realistic teams go on runs all the time in the NBA and when they do they seem to just not miss and to make perfect passes everything just clicks when a team is feeling it. it happens.

But to build it into a video game is ridiculous because it then makes it feel like you have no control over the team. A sports game should make you feel like you're in control, even though in reality (despite shot selection, and timing the release, shooter's FG, etc.) it is still ultimately up to the cpu to roll the dice and decide if the ball goes in or not. A game fails when you begin to NOTICE that it's the computer deciding whether every shot goes in or not. Especially when you start missing dunks.

its realistic teams go on runs all the time in the NBA and when they do they seem to just not miss and to make perfect passes everything just clicks when a team is feeling it. it happens.

But to build it into a video game is ridiculous because it then makes it feel like you have no control over the team. A sports game should make you feel like you're in control, even though in reality (despite shot selection, and timing the release, shooter's FG, etc.) it is still ultimately up to the cpu to roll the dice and decide if the ball goes in or not. A game fails when you begin to NOTICE that it's the computer deciding whether every shot goes in or not. Especially when you start missing dunks.

You have a good point. I bricked three easy dunks in a row once. I can understand a small amount of momentum being in the game, but not to the extreme like it is now. When you miss three 3 layups, two dunks and many shots, you stop having fun really quick. I have really only noticed this in MyCAREER. Not as much in the other modes.

The key is balance, and implementing comeback logic in a way that doesn't feel too artificial. If there's a distinct feeling that your players have completely forgotten how to play basketball while the CPU now has superhuman skill, and there's no way to counteract them with any kind of sensible play, the challenge feels manufactured.

Easier said than done of course, since there needs to be a way for the AI to react and match up with a human brain capable of lateral thought and whatnot, but I think they've done a good job in NBA 2K15. There are still moments where it feels like the CPU has a bit of an unfair advantage: out of the box, the AI is a bit too adept at picking off riskier passes while constantly being able to thread the needle when they try them, CPU players seem to grab more loose balls and fumble them less often, and CPU opponents also seem to make more difficult layups. Once again however, it does feel more balanced than last year, and you can cut into leads, swing momentum and mount comebacks of your own if you settle things down, remain patient, and play intelligently.