Shot blocking has been refined quite a bit this year as well. With NBA 2K22, we made a huge effort to improve block targeting and give players the ability to deter any shot that comes into the paint. For NBA 2K24, blocks have been tuned to a more realistic level, leading to much more predictable outcomes, with the right players making appropriate stops when timing their block attempts well. No more small guards pulling off LeBron James-level chase-down blocks like last year. You’ll also notice a distinct improvement in ball security for good dunkers.
In the past, it was always risky trying to pull off tomahawks and back scratchers with defenders even remotely nearby. We’ve made some changes to encourage good dunkers to use a greater repertoire of dunk packages. Feel the reward of highlight-reel dunks with significant Takeover boosts in the right situations without fear of always getting the ball knocked out on the way up. The shot blocking system also now contains “fly-by” blocks. When closing out late on perimeter shooters, the fly-by’s will do a better job trying to get a hand up while preventing defenders from slamming into the shooter and sending them to the line.