NBA 2K16 Tips: Atlanta Hawks Motion Offense

Today, I am going go over some NBA 2K16 Tips, specifically the Atlanta Hawks’ Motion Offense.

In basic terms, Hawks’ motion sets up in a 4 out, 1 in (4 perimeters players, 1 big man down low) look that uses a series of screens around the perimeter and cutting to the basket. This takes advantage of the space in the lane. Also, having a Power Forward or Center who has a respectable jump shot (like the Hawks’ Al Horford or Paul Millsap) forces one of your opponents’ big men out of the lane, opening up room for your big down low with cuts to the hoop.

TO SET UP THE OFFENSE

You can start the offense from either wing spot or at the top of the the 3 point line. The structure will always have a big on the low block, a guy parked in the corner opposite of him, two guys on the wings and a guy at the top of the 3-point line.

STARTING THE OFFENSE AT THE TOP OF THE 3 POINT LINE (with the PG, SG or SF)

1. The big man also at the 3-point line will set a screen for you towards the middle to shoot or drive.
2. A 3-screen series will happen:
   1. The big down low will set a screen for a guy running to the corner.
   2. The big at the 3-point line will screen for the guy in the opposite corner to run to the wing. 
   3. The first big will then set a screen for the ball handler towards the sidelines.

Now, if any of these actions I mentioned bust and you can’t get an open shot, good chance is you’re going to be near the sidelines with the ball. That’s when the offense will reset to adjust to your new position of occupying one of the wing spots.

STARTING THE OFFENSE ON EITHER WING (with the PG, SG or SF)

1. You can pass it down low to your big man and let him take advantage of the 10-on-1 matchup.
   
2. Hold the ball and let the big at the 3pt line set a screen for the guy next to time, or both of them will set a screen towards the middle for the guy in the corner. If the defense closes out of either of the guys receiving the pass, you can pass it back to the initial ball handler depending on how close the defender was to the player.
   
3. The big at the 3-point line will set another screen for him going the other way. 

Another series of 3 screens can occur:

1. The big down low will screen for the shooter going to the hoop.
2. Then for the big at the 3-point line.
   
3. Then that big sets a down screen for the initial shooter.

So, just when the defense thinks they covered your shooter, he’s given two more opportunities to score almost immediately.  

IF THE BIG DOWN LOW IS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BALL HANDLER ON THE WING

1. You can reverse the ball to the other wing to trigger the original actions I just mentioned.
   
2. Or you will receive a screen from the big at the top of the 3-point line to open you up for a 3 of your own or drive to take advantage of the big being on the other side of the paint.

Now, let’s go over if you have somebody like Draymond Green or you are playing small ball and your Power Forward (or Center) can dribble.

STARTING THE OFFENSE ON EITHER WING (with the PF or C)

Starting the offense on either wing will trigger a different set of actions by your teammates, since the guy who sets all the screens for the perimeter players has the ball.

1. The big on the low block will set a screen for the guy at the top of the key going to the hoop. This guy will be a perimeter player instead of the big since we’re using him.
2. Then, the same big and the other wing player will set another screen for him coming back around for an open 3.

It’s a good way to rack up assist with your big man.

PERSONNEL SETUP

If the non-shooting or post-up big (and it would be nice if both could shoot) possess a brick wall badge, that could maximize his place in the offense even with his limitations (and I’m looking at you, Andrew Bogut). But, if he has even one go to move in the post, that can make this offense nearly unstoppable, due to the space the setup provides.

IF THE DEFENSE CLOSES OUT ON THE SHOOTERS

If you’re looking to pass to the guy running baseline and he can’t lose his defender, wait for him to gather himself and move to the wing before passing it to him. Now, your teammates will adjust to the ball handler’s position and set up the offense again. You
have now restarted the play and have three options to go with the ball due to your location:

1. You can send a pass down low to a big man. Once he catches it, the two wings will space out, giving him room to operate.
2. I like to pass to the corner and manually call for a sideline pick and roll or pick and pop with the big man.  
3. You can pass it to the big at the top of the circle to start the offense again, only with a different player running baseline the other way now.

If you’re looking to pass to the big receiving the down screen and the defense closes out on him, he also has three possible scenarios, only his options are more dependent on what
the AI does.

1. Because the guy who sets the screen for the big is at most a small forward, he sometimes flairs out to the corner if the big doesn’t shoot. If that happens, I pass it to him and run another sideline pick and roll.
2. A series of screens can occur. The guy who screened for the big will throw another screen to open a teammate for a corner three. If the defender also covers that, a 3rd screen will develop to free a guy at the top of the 3-point line.
3. If the 2nd and 3rd screens don’t trigger, pass to the big at the top of the free throw circle and back to the wing to set up the offense again, then right back to the big to start it.

ADJUSTMENTS

A twist I like to add is a manual pick and roll or fade with the big instead of passing him the ball to start the offense. It keeps your opponent on their toes as to whether to try and intercept the initial pass by backing up or be alert as to not get screens by the big that’s behind him. This also takes advantage of guys who play off-ball defense to try and intercept the sideline passes because he thinks the ball handler isn’t a threat.

Additionally, if you notice the weaker of your shooters is expected to receive the baseline catch and shoot, you just move to the other side. The winger at the top of the key will now be the guy receiving the screen. It’s the same for the big men, moving side to side changes who receives the down screen and who parks at the free throw line to initiate the offense.

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