NBA 2K16: Review of New Gameplay Controls, Tips and Strategies

NBA 2K16 is an outstanding game, but it can be a little intimidating for fans who aren't familiar with its advanced controls. It's possible to have fun simply knowing how to do a basic crossover, sprint, shoot, steal, block and dunk, but the real genius of the gameplay is unlocked when you can gain command of the advanced controls.

This year's game introduces a few new mechanics. That's something some hardcore users won't embrace, but if it makes the gameplay more natural and efficient, I'm all in.

One of the new changes in NBA 2K16 is the way you execute an alley-oop. Anyone who has played the NBA 2K series a lot over the last few years knows that this play is one that could be spammed in the past, but recent changes to the mechanics have helped to balance the mildly risky but thrilling play in the game.

The pick-and-roll is still the most essential and widely used play in basketball. Mastering it with the right duo can make a team's offense almost unstoppable. Running the pick-and-roll has slightly changed in NBA 2K16, but you'll now have more control over how the pick is set, who sets it and what they do after picking the defensive player.

The guys at Good Game Bro actually put together a tutorial for running the pick-and-roll—and throwing alley-oops:

In case you were looking for a reference guide for all of the controller commands, a relatively lengthy list can be found in the game under the controls option in the pause menu. For your immediate reference, you can see the full list at Operation Sports.

Shutting Down One-Man Teams

image provided by 2K Sports

We've all played against guys or girls who simply give it to LeBron James, Russell Westbrook or Steph Curry and let them shoot about 80 percent of the shots. James and the other two are so good that if you don't properly attend to this imbalanced attack, you might just find yourself in some trouble.

This year's game has such enhanced realism that it's hard for even a player such as James to win by himself in the game, but here's a tip to help confuse or shut down players who play this way.

The double-team is an obvious option, but varying the second defender can create some real problems for your opponent. By pressing and holding the L1/LB button and then hitting the corresponding icon of the player you want to help on defense, you can pick which players you want to leave open to execute a double-team.

Obviously, leaving a perimeter player who doesn't shoot it well from outside is the best option. You're less likely to be made to pay for cheating. Leaving a defensive-minded big man is another option, as he may be so offensively challenged that he can't convert buckets seven feet away from the rim.

I like to alternate where the double-team is coming from. If you keep sending the same man to double, even the most inexperienced player will catch on. The key is for it to be a surprise. Even if you are leaving Klay Thompson open for one particular play to double Curry, your opponent may not be able to react in time to make you pay.

Also, you should be ready to rotate to Thompson in anticipation of him getting the ball. The more passes your opponent has to make to get a good shot, the least likely it is they'll execute.

Overall Take on Controls

Is it difficult to master all of the controls in NBA 2K16? Yes, but it should be. The game is still playable and enjoyable if you stick to the basics, but for those who want to take it to the next level, the advanced controls offer a way for you to do that.

If you compared it to the world of eSports—which the NBA 2K series is somewhat set up to explore—there's a parallel. There are casual fans who play League of Legends and StarCraft 2 for fun, but the competitive gamers' handle on the controls, timing and other nuances of the game is far superior.

The question is: How good do you want to be?

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