NBA 2K2 FAQ for the Playstation 2 Console

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NBA 2K2 FAQ for the Playstation 2 Console
(c)Rueben Amigleo 2002([email protected])

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Table of Contents
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I. Introduction
II. Revision History
III. Basic Controls
IV. Advanced Controls
V. Free Throws
VI. Modes
VII. Offensive Strategy
A. Shooting
B. Crossovers/Spin Moves
C. Only shoot when you have an open look
D. Win the battle in the paint
E. Pick and Roll
F. Take care of the ball
VIII. Defensive Strategy
A. Stick with your man
B. Steal that rock!
C. Crash the boards
D. Contest every shot
E. If your defense is getting torn apart...
F. Shot blocking
IX. Top 10 Teams
X. Rosters/Ratings
XI. Frequently Asked Questions
XII. Codes/Secrets
XIII. Special Thanks
XIV. Legal Info
XV. Contact Info

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I. Introduction
================

Hello my fellow basketball fans! This is my FAQ for one of the best
basketball games available, NBA 2K2. I saw a few requests for a FAQ so I said
what the hell. In this guide, I will discuss some basic offensive and
defensive strategies that should help you become a dominant force in the 2k2
universe.

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II. Revision History
=====================

Version 1.5 (4/6/02) - Added Frequently asked questions, codes/secrets.

Version 1.0 (4/2/02) - Most of FAQ completed, only Rosters, FAQ, and top 10-
team list remain.

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III. Basic Controls
====================

As the title says, these are the basic controls for 2k2.

Offense
X - Pass
Square - Shoot/Rebound/Pump fake
Triangle - Icon Passing
Circle - Crossover/Spin
L1 - Back down defender
L2 - Call for pick
R1 - Turbo
R2 Pass to player closest to basket
Left analog stick - Control player
Right analog stick - Bring up play call menu
Right analog + x,0,[],triangle - Call play
Start - Pause

Defense
X - Switch defender closest to ball
Square - Block shot/Rebound
Triangle - Switch defender closest to basket
Circle - Steal
L1 - Face up ball-handler/box out
L2 - Call for double team
R1 - Turbo
R2 - Intentional Foul

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IV. Advanced Controls
======================

Ok, these are the more advanced controls for those of you that like to add a
little flash to your game. Master these moves and enjoy the beautiful replays
they produce.

Advanced Offense

Pump Fake - Simply tap the shoot (square) button. If you're lucky, your
defender will bite on the fake leaving you an open shot.

Icon Passing - Use this technique to pass to a specific member of your team.
Pressing triangle will bring up icons above each teammate; press the
corresponding button to pass to that particular teammate. This is how the
icons appear:
X - Point Guard Square - Small Forward
Circle - Shooting Guard Triangle - Power Forward
R1 - Center

Alley-Oop - This one is pretty easy. If you see that one of your teammates
has an open path to the hoop, just throw him the rock with either x or R2 and
enjoy the result.

Hook Shot - Hold L1 to back down opponent. While backing down, press shoot
button (square) to perform the hook. If you have a good center or power
forward, this shot is almost unstoppable when close to the hoop.

Fade-away - There are a few different variations on the fade-away shot.
Basically, all you need to do is point the analog stick in the opposite
direction of the basket and press the shoot button.

Drop-step - This move is very effective when trying to get around a pesky
defender. Back your defender down (L1), then press up or down on the left
analog stick to perform a drop step maneuver.

Spin Move - Hold turbo while moving and press the crossover button (circle).

Running shot/Leaner - To perform a runner just press the analog stick towards
the basket while you're moving. If a leaner is your style, then all you need
to do is press the direction you'd like to lean. It would be either up or
down.

Advanced Defense

Turbo steal - If you hold the turbo button (L1) and press the steal button
(circle), you will lunge out with your arm outstretched and go for a steal.
The lunge covers a lot of ground...if you see an opening, go for it!

Swat block - You'll have to time this right to get it to work. Just hold down
turbo while moving, go up for the block (square) and instead of just simply
putting your hand up you'll swat at the ball. Like I said, you have to time
this just right to pull it off.

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V. Free Throws
===============

Now I know how Shaq feels when he steps to the line. Poor guy can't shoot a
free throw to save his life. Maybe he should read this FAQ, I'd be happy to
help the big fella out.

Difficulty of free throws varies with each difficulty level and player.
Basically, you have two green arrows on either side of the basket that you
need to line up over the hoop. You move each arrow with the analog sticks,
the left stick moving the left arrow, and yep, you guessed it, the right
stick moving the right arrow. Once you have both arrows lined up over the
hoop, press any shoulder button (L1, L2, R1, R2) to release the shot.

Be careful, you only have a certain amount of time to line up the shot. The
time decreases as you move up in difficulty.

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VI. Modes
==========

Exhibition - Choose any two teams and go at it in pre-season competition.

Practice - Get your ass in the gym and get to work! From here you can perfect
your timing for releasing shots, run some offensive plays, and even practice
those pesky free throws.

Season - Do you have what it takes to get through a full 82-game season? Can
you win enough to make the playoffs? Find out if you belong with the big boys
of the NBA.

Street - You'd rather play on blacktop? This is the mode for you. 2 on 2, 3
on 3, 4 on 4 this is the playground at it's finest. You'll be playing at some
of the most famous street courts in the country...bring your A game if you
want to be successful here.

Franchise - You want to be the next Jerry West? See if you have what it takes
to manage a NBA franchise. Trade, sign, and release players in your quest to
build the next dominant b-ball dynasty

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VII. Offensive Strategy
========================

Ok...the meat and potatoes, offense. I will just go over the basics to assist
you in getting some W's.

A. Shooting

Release is everything. Each player has a different point of release for his
jumpers. I advise you to practice a bit with your team to get a feel for each
players timing. You generally want to release the shot at the top of the
player's jump.

B. Cross-over/Spin Moves

Repeat after me...crossovers are my best friends. Yes! They sure are! Each
player has different crossover abilities. For instance, Kobe Bryant or Allen
Iverson will dribble the ball between the legs then do a quick spin move. The
bigger players like Shaq, Mutumbo will do a slow stutter step type move.
Needless to say, it's really easy to take someone to the rack if you have a
quick player on your team.

C. Only shoot when you have an open look

It's hard as hell to make a shot when it's contested. Use your screens; get
to know your offensive sets, the more you know, the better.

D. Win the battle in the paint

Drop the ball down low...let your front line handle their business. If you
have a powerful PF or C, this should be your bread and butter. Back your
defender down, shoot a quick hook or drop step around that loser and dunk the
ball home. Usually if you start getting hot down in the post, the other team
will start double-teaming. This is when the Jason Kidd in you should be
coming out! If two men are on you, one of your teammates is open...get him
the rock!

E. Pick and Roll

Ahh, the play Stockton and Malone made famous. Once mastered, this play will
almost always lead to a bucket. Be it a three or a dunk. Learn this play! It
will get you out of plenty sticky situations.

F. Take care of the ball

Passing is good. Over passing is bad. Make sure you have an open passing lane
BEFORE you pass the ball. It's not too hard for the other team to jump up and
snatch the ball from the air. The comp can play good D, especially on the
harder difficulty settings.

=========================
VIII. Defensive Strategy
=========================

This is easily the most important part of the game. You can have a kick ass
offensive line-up, but if you can't play any D you're screwed.

A. Stick with your man.

Whenever I'm on defense, I always take control of the defender closest to the
ball. The computer is pretty good at keeping up with the other offensive
players; so don't worry too much about them. If you find yourself isolated
against a good player (Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter) don't be afraid to call for
the double team (L2). If you do call for the double team, keep your eyes
peeled for that open man because if you stop the guy you're double-teaming,
he'll be looking for the open man. Go for the steal if your man is trapped.
Watch the screens. If you see the opposing player setting a screen for the
guy you're guarding, try to get around it with out hitting the screen man.
There should be enough room to either go behind the screen or jump in front.
Slamming into the screen is the absolute worse thing you can do. Say you get
beat by your man and he starts driving to the hoop... quickly press triangle.
By doing that you'll switch to the person closest to the basket and hopefully
stop that guy from getting an easy lay-up.

B. Steal that rock!

The easiest way to get a steal is to jump into the passing lane. If you play
your man tight, you should be able to see where he wants to pass before he
throws the ball. Use the turbo steal method mentioned above to jump in there
and snatch the ball. Another easy way to get the ball is when the opposing
player is trying to post you up. When the offensive player is backing down
your center, simply switch to either your pg or sg, sneak up on him and hit
the steal button (circle). You can also steal the ball easily if you stop an
offensive player while he tries to pull a crossover on you. If you step in
front of him as he tries to drive, he'll be stunned for a moment...that's
when you smack that ball! Easy money.

C. Crash the boards

If you're playing good defense, expect to get a crap load of rebounds. Always
box out by pressing L1 when the opponent takes a shot. This will make it
harder for the opposing players to get offensive boards. Here's another tip;
as you jump in the air and grab the rebound, tap circle repeatedly to throw
your elbows. I've injured many people with that move...ahh the memories.

D. Contest every shot

Try your hardest to contest every shot. The probability of making a shot
drops drastically when you got a hand in someone's face.

E. If your defense is getting torn apart, change the defensive set

If you're running a man-to-man defense, and the other team is constantly
driving on you, dunking in your face...that's not a very good sign. Change up
your set to a zone. Playing a zone defense (a 2-3) will cut down on those
pesky point guards from driving on you left and right. Just remember, with a
zone you need to rotate with the ball or the other team will rip the zone
apart. To change your defensive play move the right analog stick and press
the corresponding button for the play you wish to choose.

F. Shot blocking

Shot blocking is kind of hard in NBA2k2. You have to time your jump perfectly
to get the block. If you bite on a pump fake, you're pretty much screwed. I
only go for the block if I have the clear-cut advantage. Like Shaq guarding
John Stockton or something.

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IX. Top 10 Teams
=================

Coming Soon

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X. Rosters/Ratings
===================

Coming Soon

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XI. Frequently Asked Questions
===============================

Q: Can I shatter the backboard?
A: No

Q: I recently moved up from Rookie to Pro and I'm getting blown out! What can
I do?
A: Play better D! Use the zone defense it works wonders. Only take open
shots.

Q: Why can't I use my created player in Franchise mode?
A: Good question. I don't know why this option was left out...it was VC go
blame them.

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XII. Codes/Secrets
===================

I don't know what the deal is, but VC/Sega have not released many codes for
NBA 2k2. I've tried the same codes that were released for the Dreamcast
version, but none of those seem to work with the PS2.

Unlock Code menu screen - Go to options, then game play. Hold left on the D-
pad and right on the right analog stick. Press start, go back to the options
menu, and the codes option will be selectable. (Credit - HIT of GameFAQs)

Hidden Teams - type MEGASTARS in codes screen to unlock the VC, SEGA, and NBA
2k2 teams. (Credit - dogslikeit of GameFAQs)

To have your home crowd hold up balloons while your opponent is at the free
throw line, simply press the square button before he shoots.

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XIII. Special Thanks
=====================

First off, thanks to Sega Sports and Visual Concepts for making such a great
game.

Thanks to CJayC for maintaining & running this awesome site we all know and
love as GameFAQs.

Thank you, the reader for taking the time to check out this FAQ.

Most of all, thanks to my boredom. It was you that compelled me to write
this, as I was bored outta my skull.

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XIV. Legal Info
================

This guide and everything contained within it is the sole property of Rueben
Amigleo, author. This document may not be reproduced electronically or
manually without consent from me. This guide may not be used for any
profitable reasons whatsoever.

The only site authorized to use this guide is www.gamefaqs.com. The most
recent updates will only be sent to GameFAQs as well. Webmasters: if you wish
to have this document posted on your site see contact info below.

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XV. Contact Info
==================

If you feel I've left something out or you'd like to add something to this
document, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]. When you do e-mail me,
make sure you put NBA 2k2 in the subject line otherwise it'll get deleted.
Thank the damn spammers for that.