Strategies for the 04/05 season in next NLSC roster

[nuno]

Hi guys!

Im creating this topic for us to discuss the new strategies to be implemented on the future versions of NLSC rosters (made by the great Andrew!)

As we all know, strategies are VERY important for the gameplay to be as close to real thing as possible. We also know that some teams will have much different strategies for the new season. Ex.:

Miami (obviously because of shaq)

Lakers (triangle offense will no longer exist without Shaq and with Rudy T. aboard.

Houston (the ball has to go more for the SG, T-Mac, than it was to C. Mobley)

This are the OBVIOUS examples, but there are MUCH more. So, let´s discuss it here and help Andrew to make the rosters even more realistic!

Thanks!

[Andrew]

Nice idea, I look forward to the input.

[FanOfAll]

I'd willing to chip in my 2 cents but is this possible to hard code it?

[Jay-Peso]

I'd willing to chip in my 2 cents but is this possible to hard code it?

I think anythings possible.......

but I am not sure

[Andrew]

The values that I change are in teams.dbf and are generally based on the random sets. These plays will be used as the team's "Dynamic" offense.

[iKe7in]

One thing I'd love to see added is the 2004 Draft version, in the style that noskills18 created, but finished with new ratings and a completed set of the draftees.
I would do this myself but I have no idea how. I've asked noskills to teach me how, but I haven't got a response.

[JimRaynor55]

This isn't new, but I noticed a mistake in the "team strategies by showstopper" thread in the General Issues forum, which I think a lot of people here followed. The Nets and Kings use the Princeton Offense. This is considered a motion offense, but is very different than the plays labeled "Motion" in the game. It is in fact very similar to the Sideline Triangle. I've even heard commentators speak about the similarities between the Princeton Offense and the Triangle.

I have found info about the Lakers' new offense without Shaq, Phil, and the Triangle. Some of it is just speculation by Lakers fans based on the teams new strengths. However, a lot of them have actually seen the team's new plays in Summer League games. Some of them have bad grammar which makes this hard to read, but fortunately they've provided animations.

They're also going for a "Motion" offense, but again, it's far different than the Motion plays suggested by others on this board before. Vlade, Grant, Odom (when he's playing PF rather than SF), Medvedenko, Cook, and Malone (if he returns) are all big men with some shooting range, but not much low post offense. Vlade, Odom, and Malone are also great passers. The Lakers plan on unleashing Kobe next season, and to use these skills to complement his game. Although Shaq made everyone's job a lot easier, he sometimes hindered Kobe's driving ability by clogging up the paint area, in part because he had no shooting range. The Lakers will probably make plays which involve bringing their big men out in double high post positions. This will take advantage of their shooting and passing skills, as well as to open up the paint. That allows the Lakers to use Kobe, Butler, and Odom's size, driving ability, and post up skills at the three smaller positions. The Lakers will also be making use of Isolation plays with Kobe, as well as high pick and rolls.

Unfortunately, I can't figure out which Offensive set in the game most closely matches this. Do any of you have any ideas?

[JimRaynor55]

Last edited January 26, 2005. Added Spurs and Magic, as well as another play for the Rockets.

This post is intended to consolidate all my findings into a single easy-to-read list. All new findings will be edited into this post, with the date and contents of the latest edit posted at the top. Separate posts might still be made however if I think some plays require in-depth descriptions. Plays will be listed with a real name or brief description. If it is different, then its in-game name (or a description of how to pull it off in the game) will also be listed in parentheses. Uncertainties will be listed with a "?" mark.

JAZZ
Offense:
-UCLA (Utah)
Defense:
-Lots of zone (2-3 or Shifting 2-3)

CAVALIERS
-UCLA (Utah)

LAKERS
-Horns (Double High)
-"Slice" (Not in game)
-Pick and Roll with Kobe and a big man
-Isolation with Kobe on one side
-Isolation with Odom just inside top of the arc
-Sideline Triangle

NETS, KINGS, WIZARDS
-Princeton Offense (Sideline Triangle?)

TIMBERWOLVES
Offense:
-Stagger 1
-Horns (Double High)
-Isolation with Cassell on one side (mid range or post)
-Isolation for KG on one side (mid range or after Post Up)
Defense:
-Matchup Zone (2-3?)

GRIZZLIES
-Horns (Double High)
-Post Up, then Isolation for Gasol

ROCKETS
-Stagger 1 seems to be their primary offensive set, and most of the players seem to be interchangeable in it.
-Horns (Double High)
-Turnout 6
-Isolation for T-Mac at top of the arc as well as to one side or in the post.

PISTONS
- 1-4 High (use plays in which SG and SF are the movers)

SIXERS
- 1-4 High (use plays in which the PG and SG are the movers)
-Isolation for Iverson at the top of the arc
-Isolation for Iverson at the top of the arc, then call Pick and Roll

BULLS
-Power Offense (Motion)

BLAZERS
-Two man game with the PG and Shareef/Randolph (call Post Up with your PG taking the ball up the court on either side, not the middle). Either let the forwards score, or do a Pick and Roll with them and your PG.

NUGGETS
-Flex?
-Lots of free/sloppy play, with simple Pick and Rolls
-Some Power Offense plays (Motion)
-Isolation for Carmelo Anthony on one side at mid range, or in the post.

HEAT
-Power Offense (Motion)
-Turnout 6 and 8
-Isolation for Wade at the top of the arc, then call Pick and Roll

SONICS
-Ridnour has lots of freedom to create. Use freestyle moves to allow him to drive and dish, or call simple Pick and Rolls for him.
-UCLA (Utah 5 and 6)
-Ray Allen off double screens (Double High 8)
-Isolate Rashard Lewis on one side at mid range or post (Turnout 4, then call Isolation)
-Fast break whenever possible.

SUNS
-Almost all fast breaks, few set plays.
-The vast majority of the time in the half court, the Suns stick to a default setup with all five players on the perimeter. I suggest setting the Team Offensive Strategy to "Box 6." That way, the team sets up on the perimeter every time you don't manually call a play. Just don't actually follow Box 6. Allow Nash to drive and dish, or call Pick and Rolls for him.
-Post Up, then Isolation for Amare.
-Utah 5 or 6?
-Horns with SG in the place of one of the big men (not in game)

MAGIC
-This team doesn't settle into half court sets very much. They fast break whenvever they can, and Francis gets to go 1 on 1 a lot.
-Isolation for Francis at the top of the arc, then call Pick and Roll
-Isolation for Grant Hill at the side.
- 1-4 High seems to be their half court set of choice in the few instances when they don't fast break or just give the ball to Francis.

SPURS
-Flex
-Post up, then Isolation for Duncan
-Isolate Parker at the top of the arc, then call a Pick and Roll.