Shooting in NBA 2K21 is similar to previous years, but this year you have new mechanics to learn and adopt if you want to be a better shooter. In this guide, we'll explain the basics of shooting in NBA 2K21 as well as some tips on how to be a better shooter and land more shots.
2k21 Shooting Basics
There are different types of shots in NBA 2K21. There are dunks, lay-ups, jump shots, post shots, and more. Shooting is similar to previous years in that you have several options to choose from. You can either shoot the buttons or shoot the stick, depending on what you choose, you have things to think about.
How to shoot in NBA 2K21
- Press the X Button (Xbox) or Square Button (PlayStation) to shoot.
- Shooting can also be done with the right stick
Shooting with buttons
When shooting with the buttons and using the shot meter, you will hold the fire button depending on your rig, then hold it until the gauge lines up with the center of the shot meter shoot. The closer you get to the middle of the shot gauge, the better and more accurate your shot will be. If your shot is perfect, the meter will flash green to let you know you released the shot at the right time.
Tip – Your controller will also vibrate to let you know when it's time to start shooting.
Shooting with the stick
The button shooting option is definitely the easier to learn of the two methods, but stick shooting is also an option. However, instead of holding down the button to shoot, pull the right stick down and then slide it up to release the shot. The closer you get the stick to center, the more accurate your shot.
Both of these methods use timing and aim to determine the accuracy of your shots, but there are ways to change that as well.
Change shooting settings
You can change the settings to determine if you hit or miss a shot to player stats. The Real Player % option can be changed in the controller settings under the 'Shot Duration' section. Change this setting to Actual Player % if you want your shots to be recorded based on the quality of your player's ratings.
The menus also allow you to experiment with turning the shot gauge on and off or changing things like shot timing. You can also choose to toggle your shot vibration on and off. There's no one path to becoming a better shooter in NBA 2K21, so experiment with different settings until you find one you're comfortable with.
Become a better shooter in 2k21
Putting it all together is easier said than done, but there are plenty of feedback tools to use in 2K21 that will make you a better shooter. As you learn the basics of shooting and reduce your timing, a shot feedback tool will appear at the top of the screen to let you know how good your shot was and its rating. Pay attention to this as it appears right after your photo is output and can give you valuable insight into what you did wrong or right in the photo.
There's more to shooting in NBA 2K21 than just pressing a button at the right time. There are variables that come into play in a live game, like being guarded, for example that can put off even the best shooters. Players also have hot spots where they are better shooters. Knowing them as well as taking good shots AND using good timing and aim is the only way to get better at shooting in NBA 2K21.
