How do you defend with small players?

[Leander]

How do you defend with small players?

It's always the same. PG to C...C to PG. For three. My guards can't even block the shot. They just jump but are too small to touch the ball.
In former times (old NBA Lives) Stockton could block O' Neal with ease, which was pretty unrealistic.

Now height plays a role but how should I play D with small guards? In Live 2003 you raised your arms and the cpu often missed. In 2005 you can just watch the cpu shoot threes but can't do anything against it. Jump -> player too small, shot can't be blocked. Raise arms -> no effect. Arms down -> no effect. Nothing happens when you raise the arms to contest a shot.

G. Arenas dropped 37 points on me (20 in a half)...Nash takes many three point attemps. And I can just watch. Of course I could control a PF or C and guard the cpu's guards but this would be unrealistic.

[asgsjb]

Height absolutely plays a factor. You can try to hit "block", but taller guards will get shots off against smaller guards. The answer...trade for taller guards. Not joking about that. I have a list of guards I like to use, and all of them are taller. If I start with them...great. If I don't have them to start with, I'll trade to get them. You will defend better with taller guards.

Same is true at other positions. For example, look at Sweetney. He is strong and should be able to back almost anyone down tot he hoop. But when he shoots, he is easily blocked.

Go for height...trade for it if you need to.

[Leander]

Yes but that's pretty unrealistic. I simply can't stop the cpu from scoring from the arc. I can only watch them score. I can stand in front of them, arms up...nothing.

[Spree#8]

So get higher guards and try to block them or try to don't let the cpu shot and steal.

You can also put cpu shooting sliders on lower values, so they will shot at lower percentage.

[asgsjb]

I probably didn't make my answer as clear as Spree did. You don't just get taller guards and have them watch shots be taken or have them just raise their hands. You have to actively defend. Try to block every shot taken. But if you have smaller guards, trying to block a shot will do nothing for you. You need to get taller guards and then try to block the shot. It won't work every time, but it's your best shot at defense. Challenge every shot and make them earn it.

But the key, simply stated, is to get taller guards and try to block the shots.