Master your NBA 2K21 tips and you're guaranteed to avoid being, er, court short in this madcap basketball season. This year's best (and most controversial) new feature is the refreshed shot meter, and below we outline how to utilise it to your advantage – or, should you prefer, switch it off completely. Also covered in our essential guide are hot zones, badges, and how to ramp up your defensive abilities. These are the eight key NBA 2K21 tips to know before you play.

Know how to shoot

The developers are really making you work for your buckets in this year's version of the game. Instead of the green meter that existed in previous titles, you now have to time your shots and release the Pro Stick or shoot button at different times, depending on where you are in the court. Learn the court, get to know how it feels to shoot from different places in the arena, and be aware you're never making the same shot twice.

Turn off shot meter

Not keen on the above? Heading into the options and turning off the new shot meter enables you to focus more on the jump of your player. This provides a more natural approach to shooting, and takes away the distraction of focusing on the new meter – which can at times be too small to see properly. If you decide to turn the meter off, make sure you let go of the Pro Stick (or shot button) just before you reach the peak of your jump for the best timing.

Avoid contested shotsWhatever game mode you’re playing in, shooting whilst being heavily guarded almost always results in a missed shot. Finding open space or breaking away from your defender if you have the ball enables you to hit an uncontested shot. In MyCareer, find free space around the perimeter or call for other players to provide a screen (L1/LB) so you can move into open space. This allows you to shoot without having someone potentially blocking your shot or forcing an air ball.

Learn Hot Zones

To balance the focus on the fiddlier and trickier shot meter, the developers over at 2K have decided to buff Hot Zones quite a lot. What does that mean for you? Well, from Hot Zones, your player is going to get a better boost. Practice with your favourite players and figure out where their Hot Zones are to make their shots a little more consistent. You can learn these in practice mode, too.

Earn Your Badges

Another key ingredient for success is knowing your player’s Badges, and picking the correct ones when levelling up your MyPlayer. Heading to the courts in The Neighborhood is daunting at first, especially as building your stats is blocked by the VC (Virtual Currency) wall. By playing in MyCareer and in The Neighborhood, you acquire points in different areas such as Shooting and Playmaking. Once you fill one of these gauges, you are free to pick a new badge to give your player a skill boost. Badges like Pro Touch give forgiveness if your shot timing is off, and the Giant Slayer Badge makes you unstoppable against taller defenders. Decide what kind of player you want, and grab the Badges you need to make you the best you can be.Shoot clean

In NBA 2K21 more than any other NBA title, you're going to see possession taken away and your shots intercepted if you try and shoot when you're being heavily guarded. Sniff out open space and do the best you can to get away from defenders and you'll have more success with your shots. Hit L1/LB to have friendly players provide a screen for you to better allow you to set yourself up.

Defend bravely

Basically take the tip we've given you above and flip it: if you know an opposing player has a very good offensive athlete in their possession, do everything you can to stay on them and deny them the space they need to make a shot. Hold O/B to stand your ground and make it more difficult for enemy players to get the layup or dunk off you.

That's all for the NBA 2K21 beginner's guide. This should get you started in the game and the rest is on how well you adapt to the gameplay. If you want to win, you don’t need to spend too much time in the game. In the promotion on Igvault, No matter which device you play NBA 2K21, we can provide usable NBA 2K21 MT based on satisfying-full inventory, buy NBA 2K21 MT , click https://www.igvault.com/NBA2K21-MT