Looking for more easy buckets in NBA 2K? One of the first steps is to master the pick & roll. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the pick & roll in NBA 2K23.
What Is the Pick & Roll?
Considered the most effective play in basketball, the pick & roll is a classic staple of the sport. It is typically run between the point guard and a “big man,” i.e., a power forward or center.
The ball handler calls for a screen, and the other player sets the pick. Then, they roll to the basket while the guard goes around their defender. If executed correctly, the big man often gets an open layup set up from an easy pass.
The screen setter can also fade away from the basket for a jumpshot. This is known as the pick & pop. Both plays are designed to free up space for one player by forcing the defense to collapse. In short, draw two defenders to one player, and a teammate will always be open.
The NBA 2K series is noted for its realism. Running the pick & roll is no exception, as it is equally effective in the game and real life.
How to Run the Pick & Roll
Running the pick & roll is as simple as it is efficient. Hold L1 to call for a screen. While traditionally done by a guard, any player handling the ball can call for a pick.
By default, either the power forward or center will come to set the pick, depending on who is closer. Use L3 and R3 to determine whether the screen is set on the left or right side, respectively. The big man will then cut hard toward the basket.
To run a pick & pop, press R1 while your big man sets the screen. Rather than roll to the hoop, they will instead fade away to an open floor area. This is easy to use with stretch fours and centers that can shoot from mid-range.
After calling for a screen, press L1 again to run a slip screen. This will cause the big man to roll or fade early. It speeds up the offense but takes precise timing to work correctly. Tell your player to slip too early, and they won’t set the screen. As such, slip screens also cancel any call for a pick.
Options Out of Pick & Roll
Once the screen has been set, the ball handler has plenty of options. They are typically looking to pass most of the time. Look for the roller or fader first. If they set a good screen, it will force their man to help guard the ball handler. This usually leaves your big man wide open for an easy layup, dunk, or jumpshot.
Don’t automatically pass to the roller every time. Sometimes, defenders on the wing will have to rotate to help stop your big man. This leaves your perimeter players wide open for outside shots. Be sure to scan the entire floor before making a pass.
The ball handler can also use the screen to create space for themself. Once clear of their defender, they can look to score if no one else picks them up. If the lane opens, drive to the basket for an easy layup. If defenders collapse into the paint, step back for an outside shot. The array of options out of the pick & roll makes it such an essential part of NBA 2K.
Selecting a Specific Player for Pick & Roll
In some instances, you don’t want your big man running the pick & roll. Fortunately, there is a way to call a specific teammate over to set a screen. To do so, press L1 and hold the corresponding button that appears over a teammate’s head. The button notation lines up with player positions:
- Point guard - Cross
- Shooting guard - Circle
- Small forward - Square
- Power forward - Triangle
- Center - L2
This strategy is helpful when playing a two-person game with your best players. You’ll want to keep the ball in their hands when games are close in crunch time. Setting screens for each other gives them a better chance at creating an open look.
If you’re calling over perimeter players like guards and wings to set a screen, it’s usually better to use the fade option. A pick & pop between a star point guard and small forward is a deadly combination. All in all, selecting a specific player for screens is a great way to get your superstars in space so they can shine.
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