Game's too easy! Any tips?

[nbachris2788]

I'm currently in my 3rd year in Franchise Mode as the Chicago Bulls. I play at Superstar level with 5 minute quarters. My season is 28 games long, and my playoff format is 5-7-7-7.

My starters:

C - Devon Gatling (CPU-generated rookie)
PF - Dirk Nowitzki
SF - Ron Artest
SG - B.J. Armstrong
PG - Nick Van Exel

None of my starters have an Overall rating of above 80, but Nowitzki's FG is 86, Armstrong's is 85, and Artest's is 82. Simply put, I can pump fake and drive my way to easy victories over my opponents. Rarely will I encounter a team that has 3 solid defenders; usually, a good opposing PF can temporarily limit Nowitzki, which only opens the way for Armstrong or Artest to have a big game. Then, once Nowitzki hits a couple of fadeaways, the pump fake starts working again and he's back in the game.

Anyway, I want to know if there are any ways to make the game more challenging. In my first season, I posted a losing record and missed the playoffs because I did not utilize my players properly. Next season, I had a 67% Regular Season winning rate and won the championship with a 24-6 playoff record. This season, with Nowitzki moved to PF (he was SF before, with Elton Brand at PF) I'm off to a 10-0 start, just demolishing opponents along the way.

In order to balance things out, I was planning to letting Nowitzki go after this season, as his contract expires. I'd try and let Artest replace him, while reinstating Elton Brand as the starting PF (which would hurt my offence). However, visiting these boards has led me to believe that there are ways to make the game actually challenging. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[alexboom]

the answer is in your post: don't overuse pump fake...

[COOLmac©]

play the game slow.....enjoy the plays integrated in the game.play them like what the real game should be played....and for some strange reason don't STACK your lineup

[bullsfan009]

Also, put the CPU-ASSIST on. This is what I do- it makes the CPU almost impossible to put away in games, and leads to many nailbiters in the 4th quarter. It definitely makes the game tougher.

[nbachris2788]

Thanks for your replies. I always thought I had turned CPU Assist on, but turns out it was always off. That should really help. I also changed the Shot Control to User, instead of CPU, which forces me to really concentrate on each shot so I don't release too early.

[mortalsoul3]

I suffered from the same problem for years, back when my copy of Live 2000 still worked (those good old days). Selecting CPU assist did seem to address the blowout matter. However, I took note of gametime situations still lacking in realism (often seeming somewhat scripted) while playing within the CPU-assist confines: rampant overtimes, insane computer comebacks late in games, my own execution forcibly stifled on both ends of the court, all in a cpu-imposed effort to facillitate those close games. In other words, although the option certainly created closer final scores, I'm not clear as to how much CPU-assist contributed to heightened gameplay realism.

Perhaps I was out of practice when these recent situations arose though. I'll give cpu-assist another whirl once I get the game working again. Later.

MT

[mortalsoul3]

You might try "un-clicking" the "Illegal Defense" option in the Rules Menu as well (along with clicking CPU-Assist in the Options menu). The CPU plays some daunting zones and collapsing defenses w/o the Illegal D restrictions. Doing so also puts a premium on your squad's ball-and-player movement, transition game, shot selection and perimeter shooting. I credit Alexboom's updated 05-06 roster for this insight. So far, applying (or "un-applying") seems to enhance 2000 gameplay . . . so far.

MT