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The NSCAC basketball team had its first team dinner last Sunday. A good time was had by all. Some of the photos are posted here. We had pizzas, did some group activities, and we managed a few games of 6 player NBA2k9. It’s certainly a change as compared to playing by yourself (or even playing against one other player).

In a normal situation where you are the only player playing the game, chances are, you’ll be controlling the ball handler (or, in defense, controlling the player who is marking the ball handler). What that means is that the movements of the other 4 players on your team are controlled by the CPU, with the player having somewhat limited control on what they do (setting screens, posting up etc). By only playing as the ball handler, the only decision you need to make within the game is whether to shoot, pass, or drive with the ball.

Learning when to shoot/pass/drive the ball is quite similar in real life as compared to a video game. In real life basketball, this is a part of the game that is definitely coached with emphasis, because most of the attention is given to the ball and getting it into the basket.

Playing NBA2k9 in a multi-player setting makes NBA2k9 become a totally different game. Players are required to move without the ball, and the decision becomes more complicated because the player needs to figure when he should move, and where he should move to so that he can be the most effective. Often my experience with playing this way is that players run into each other and games become a lot tougher.

Why is that? Is it because in our basketball training (both formal training and also informal training done in the playground) we don’t put enough emphasis on moving without the ball? Is it because we simply do not know what to do? Or do we all think and do the same thing so that we run into each other?

In my experience, whenever we train in this area (think offensive/defensive systems), not only do we need to know where we need to go, but we need to be aware of where our teammates are as well. Unfortunately, being on the court, sometimes we don’t have the perspective to see all 5 players at once. One possible solution is to watch video footage of past games or scrimmages, but then what then becomes lacking is the lack of interactivity, and the players are stuck watching the tape not being able to make adjustments on the spot.

This is where I think a video game can help. Of course video games can’t train us in the areas of basic skills and fitness, but I think video games can help in coaching effective offensive and defensive systems. The only requirement is that the game is realistic enough so that things that you would do normally (such as setting screens, performing various spins and moves) are also possible through the game. Also the game physics and mechanics also need to be somewhat realistic for any of this training to be worthwhile (so that, for example, being able to successfully defend a shooter means that the shooter will have a much lower shot percentage, and that boxing out opponents will get you more rebounds).

The advantage of using a video game is that it gives better perspective to the player so that he can see what the other 4 players are doing, and this also develops his court awareness and communication skills. Plus it’s fun to play video games on a rainy day!

PS. It’s currently pouring outside the office…