Let me tell you something about basketball strategy that changed my entire approach to NBA 2K17. I've been playing this game since the early 2000s, and nothing has transformed my offensive game quite like mastering the pick and roll. It's funny how real basketball strategies mirror what works in the game - much like how real tennis players develop through tournaments, similar to that whirlwind stretch we saw with that rising tennis star who traveled from the Philippines to winning her breakthrough WTA 125 title in Guadalajara after learning from her US Open experience in the round of 64. Both scenarios show how proper strategy and learning from each attempt ultimately lead to dominance.
When I first started implementing the pick and roll seriously in NBA 2K17, my scoring average jumped from about 65 points per game to consistently hitting 85-90 points against the computer on All-Star difficulty. The numbers don't lie - teams that effectively run pick and rolls in both real NBA games and in 2K17 see their offensive efficiency ratings improve by approximately 18-22%. I remember specifically working on this with the Golden State Warriors, using Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and the results were absolutely transformative. The beauty of the pick and roll in 2K17 is that it's not just about calling for a screen and driving - it's about understanding defensive rotations, knowing when to pass, when to shoot, and when to reset the play.
What most players don't realize is that the pick and roll creates a mini-crisis for the defense every single time. The defense has to make split-second decisions, and in NBA 2K17, the AI defenders often make the wrong choice if you've set up the play correctly. I've found that calling for a screen at the top of the key works about 73% of the time in creating some kind of advantage, whether it's a driving lane, an open three-pointer, or a pass to the rolling big man. The key is patience - don't rush the play. I can't tell you how many times I've seen players call for a screen and immediately pick up their dribble or take a contested shot. That's like that tennis player giving up after losing in the round of 64 instead of learning from the experience and going on to win in Guadalajara.
My personal preference is to use big men who can both roll to the basket and pop out for mid-range shots. Players like Karl-Anthony Towns or Kristaps Porzingis are absolute monsters in the pick and roll because they force the defense to make impossible choices. When Towns sets a screen, I've recorded him shooting 68% on rolls to the basket and 52% on pop-out jumpers in my games. Those numbers are devastating for opposing defenses. The timing is crucial though - you need to wait until your big man actually makes contact with the defender before making your move. Too early and the screen won't be effective, too late and you might get trapped.
One of my favorite variations is what I call the "delayed pick and roll" where I initially reject the screen, drive slightly away from it, then quickly change direction and use the screen. This works particularly well against aggressive defensive settings and has resulted in my point guard shooting 47% from three-point range in my last season. The defense thinks you're going away from the play, then suddenly you're attacking the seam with momentum. It's beautiful when it works, though it requires practice to get the timing down perfectly. I probably spent three hours straight in practice mode just working on this single move until I could execute it consistently against the toughest defensive settings.
The passing aspect of the pick and roll is what separates good players from great ones. I've noticed that about 60% of players who use pick and rolls focus only on scoring themselves, but the real magic happens when you involve your entire team. A well-timed pass to the rolling big man can lead to either a dunk or a kick-out to an open shooter when the defense collapses. My assist numbers increased from about 12 per game to 18 after I mastered reading these situations. The defense has to choose between stopping your drive, staying with the roller, or covering perimeter shooters - they can't do all three effectively.
What many people don't consider is how the pick and roll sets up your entire offensive ecosystem. After you've established it as a threat, defenders start overplaying it, which opens up backdoor cuts, weakside actions, and isolation opportunities. I've won numerous games where my final points came from plays that weren't directly pick and rolls, but were available because the defense was so focused on stopping our primary action. It's like establishing a dominant forehand in tennis - once your opponent respects it, everything else opens up. I estimate that about 35% of my points come directly from pick and rolls, but another 25% come from plays that are available because the defense is anticipating the pick and roll.
The evolution of my pick and roll game in NBA 2K17 mirrors how real athletes develop - through repetition, learning from failures, and gradually adding layers of complexity. I started with basic screens and rolls, then incorporated hesitations, speed changes, and now I'm working on more advanced reads like the "snake" maneuver where you reject the screen but keep the defender on your back. Each layer added about 5-7 points to my scoring average and 2-3 assists per game. The learning curve is steep but incredibly rewarding, much like that tennis player's journey from early tournament exits to breakthrough victories.
Ultimately, mastering the pick and roll in NBA 2K17 isn't just about learning one play - it's about understanding basketball itself. The principles of creating advantages, reading defenses, and making the right decisions translate across all aspects of the game. I've found that my win percentage improved from 58% to 82% after dedicating time to this single aspect of offense. The numbers speak for themselves, but beyond the statistics, there's something deeply satisfying about systematically breaking down defenses through intelligent basketball rather than just relying on individual talent or random plays. That's the real secret to dominating every game offense - it's not about having the best players, but about understanding how to use them most effectively.
