NBA 2K11

[Ironhead]

Less than 2 months away (release date is October 5th). Can't help but be really excited about this years offering - especially with everything that happened in the offseason so far.

This week's developer's insight seems particularly awesome. If half of this stuff is implemented well then we could be looking at a special game:

NBA Developer Insights: Making a Smarter Game (http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/index.cfm?aid=2796112&l=11)

[RainMaker]

I am really pumped about this. The offseason has gotten me excited about basketball and the Jordan edition has me amped up too. Can't wait for this to be released.

[Noop]

I will be buying this when it comes out.

[RainMaker]

Does anyone know of any pre-order specials with this game? Amazon has it at $56.99 and Gamestop says you can get a Jordan jersey for your 360 avatar (not sure if that's Gamestop exclusive or for anyone who pre-orders). But since I'm definitely pre-ordering this, if anyone has any word on specials I'd greatly appreciate it.

[Eaglesfan27]

Definite buy for me.

[bhlloy]

Absolute must-buy again this year. Like Rainmaker says if anyone does find any good pre-order offers, very interested in hearing about it

[Anthony]

Definite buy for me. Inclusion of classic playoff teams of the late 80s/early 90s puts this over the top for me. I just really hope u can play exhibition games as the other classic teams and they're not there just for you to play against as Jordan.

[Radii]

Great news, but player progression over multiple seasons will determine whether I buy this or go back to college hoops 2k8 when I get the basketball itch this fall.

[Ironhead]

Definite buy for me. Inclusion of classic playoff teams of the late 80s/early 90s puts this over the top for me. I just really hope u can play exhibition games as the other classic teams and they're not there just for you to play against as Jordan.

From the first developer insight:
(http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/index.cfm?aid=2671987&l=11)
"For now, here are the Historic Teams that will be immediately available for you to play this year:

1985-86 Chicago Bulls
1985-86 Boston Celtics
1989-90 Chicago Bulls
1989-90 Atlanta Hawks
1989-90 Cleveland Cavaliers
1989-90 Detroit Pistons
1990-91 Chicago Bulls
1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers
1991-92 Chicago Bulls
1991-92 Portland Trailblazers
1994-95 Chicago Bulls
1994-95 New York Knicks
1995-96 Chicago Bulls
1995-96 Seattle Supersonics
1996-97 Chicago Bulls
1996-97 Utah Jazz
1997-98 Chicago Bulls
1997-98 Utah Jazz

Like current teams, you will get the opportunity to play all of these teams in Quick Game, Association, Playoffs, and Season mode. So want to find out how well your current team matches up with the best Bulls teams? 2010 Lakers or Heat vs. 1995-96 Bulls anyone? The possibilities are endless."

[DaddyTorgo]

wow. that sounds incredible.

[Anthony]

ok i gonna play this one a lot.

[DaddyTorgo]

if it all works

[Big Fo]

The 1994-95 Magic should be on there so I can recreate Nick Anderson stealing the ball from Jordan. The starting five of O'Neal, Grant, Scott, Anderson, and Hardaway were so good on NBA Live 95 and 96.

[Anthony]

i imagine the '95 Magic AND Rockets would be made availble via DLC at some point. the "For now, these are the historic teams..." means to me that there's more to come. i'm sure they might put Jordan-era Wizards in there. i'm sure Reggie Miller-era Pacers will be in there as well. then you also could have '93-94 Suns to get Barkley, maybe '93 Warriors to get Hardaway, Mullin, Webber. i'd love to see one classic team for every team. i remember there was a version of Madden that had classic teams for every team. players didn't have any names, it was a bunch of "QB #13" in there. but still fun, especially to see all the old logos for teams.

[Anthony]

oh, btw, here's a little tidbit about the classic team rosters from the 2K website:

One thing that hasn’t really been mentioned in all the great coverage today, we spent a tremendous amount of time getting the Historic Bulls teams and their biggest rivals into NBA 2K11. We went out and got the rights to the actual players from each era and spent a ton of time capturing their signature shots, moves, and tendencies. So not only are we building you the perfect Michael Jordan in-game, we are also giving you some of the games great players from yesteryear such as Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird, Dominique Wilkins, and many others.

[Groundhog]

"we are also giving you some of the games great players from yesteryear such as Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird, Dominique Wilkins, and many others."

How the hell did they leave Craig Ehlo out of that list?

[Kodos]

Definite purchase for me. LOVE classic players. Just hope they get the Barkley Suns in there. Danny Ainge, baby!

[RainMaker]

Will the courts be the older ones too? The old Chicago Stadium, Cleveland's old one with their old logo, etc.

[Groundhog]

Will the courts be the older ones too? The old Chicago Stadium, Cleveland's old one with their old logo, etc.

Oh man, that would rule. The Garden too.

[Ironhead]

From OS Preview:

"They went into painstaking detail to include the old-school arena floors and in some instances the actual arenas (The Forum is Alive BABY)."

[Anthony]

Will the courts be the older ones too? The old Chicago Stadium, Cleveland's old one with their old logo, etc.

i remember my best friend and i used to play NBA Live (or whatever it was called back then) on the Genesis back in the day and i would make it RAIN when i'd play as the Suns. i would be behind in the score and i'd proclaim "all right, i'm turning the 3 point machine....on" and start jacking up 3 pt shots with Thunder Dan, Ainge and KJ. loved that team back in the day.

[RainMaker]

From OS Preview:

"They went into painstaking detail to include the old-school arena floors and in some instances the actual arenas (The Forum is Alive BABY)."
That's awesome!

[Kodos]

Was never a fan of Majerle, but loved Ainge and Kevin Johnson, along with Barkley of course.

[Groundhog]

Majerle is responsible for one of the greatest uncalled travelling violations in the history of the NBA.

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[Anthony]

thunder

thunDER

THUNDER DAN....hooooooooooooooo

[RainMaker]

Majerle's travel might not beat Maggette's.

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[Groundhog]

Wow. That's turble.

[stevew]

Majerle looked like he was doing a soccer throw in

[Radii]

From OS Preview:

"They went into painstaking detail to include the old-school arena floors and in some instances the actual arenas (The Forum is Alive BABY)."

ok all the historic teams/arenas has me not caring whether dynasties work well enough long term anymore, I'll be buying either way.

[Groundhog]

'NBA 2K11's' MJ: Creating a Legend mode revealed - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/videogames/blog/_/name/thegamer/id/5455549/creating-a-legend-mode)


2K announces MJ: Creating a Legend mode (http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/videogames/blog/_/name/thegamer/id/5455549/creating-a-legend-mode)


What if the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Michael Jordan instead of Sam Bowie? It's the question that has kept Blazer fans up at night for decades, but "NBA 2K11" is finally going to let you see what life is like with His Airness in the City of Roses. In fact, any NBA fan who ever dreamed of "Being like Mike," or at least having Air Jordan leading their franchise to a title is sure to be intrigued by the game's new mode, called MJ: Creating a Legend.
"This is a brand new experience that we're delivering to our users this year, and it's a mode that's not immediately available when you purchase the game," explains "NBA 2K11" producer Erick Boenisch.
Gamers will first need to complete all 10 of the classic match-ups in "2K11's" Jordan Challenge by recreating moments like the night MJ dropped 69 points on the Cleveland Cavaliers or reliving his rivalry against the Bad Boys of Detroit.
Once The Jordan Challenge is beat in its entirety, the single-player, offline-only Creating a Legend mode unlocks.
"The idea behind MJ: Creating a Legend is that you're going to step into today's NBA with a rookie Michael Jordan," Boenisch says. "He is rated a 79 overall, which gives you plenty of room to improve, but he has all of the physical tools of Michael as a rookie -- the fast speed, the high jumping, the quickness -- but he lacks a lot of the shooting skills and the offensive and defensive awareness. So you're playing with a raw prospect who can do just about anything, but can't deliver in the clutch just yet.
"And the cool thing about this mode is that you're player-locked to Michael Jordan, so you're kind of recreating the career and the legend of Michael Jordan."
<readmore></readmore>
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/0811/vg_jordan_1_200.jpg<cite>2K Sports</cite>First screen of Jordan as a rookie in "NBA 2K11".


When gamers start the mode, they can choose to add Jordan to any team in the league. So whether you want to send him to Cleveland to replace LeBron James? Or take him to Portland to right the wrong of the 1984 draft? Or perhaps, make the most insane video game team of all time by putting Jordan on the Miami Heat, the choice is yours.
"I tend to play [him] with the Heat right now," admits Boenisch, claiming to already have won one championship. "But the mode is along the lines of My Player in terms of trying to earn skill points with the ultimate goal of making Michael Jordan the best player he can be. You want to get him that 99 rating and win as many titles as you can. But this isn't one of those modes where you struggle right away. There's instant gratification here because you're really good from the start. Like I said, your shooting skills might be a little rough to start out, but you have the physical ability to dominate any game if you want.
"You're playing as Michael Jordan, and that's something that hasn't been offered this entire generation of consoles. It's something we're really excited about."
Also exciting is the news that Jordan's physical appearance will transform as he ages in the game. Adds Boenisch: "When you start out as a rookie, you're going to start out with the short fade, the short little hair. Then as he gets older you're going to see him go with the bald look, then the mustache in the middle years, and his body will bulk up a little bit as he slowly becomes the older Jordan. For fans of Jordan, it's really cool to see the progression and play as Michael and see what it is like to relive that skill that he had to takeover any game."
According to Boenisch, gamers will be able to play as Jordan from his rookie year all the way up to about age 40 as the rest of the NBA changes around you, complete with player trades and signings. Only thing missing is giving virtual MJ the ability to take time off for baseball. "You cannot play for the Birmingham Barons, sorry," Boenisch says with a laugh. "But it's a lot of fun, and it gives people something to look forward to as they play through the Jordan Challenge. We have achievements tied to this mode as well to give people more incentive to play, but this mode is all about kicking back on the couch, grabbing a controller and having a lot of fun. It's a great mode to just pick up and play.
"We went big with Jordan this year. It's all about Michael."

[bhlloy]

Meh. You could have created a "Michael Jordan" in My Player anyway. Wouldn't be rated 79 but doesn't take that long to get there.

Get back to me when you can have the 1984 Jordan in an authentic 1984 league. I know it will never happen but that along with user created draft classes would be sheer awesomeness

[Neuqua]

Growing up with the 90's Bulls, that feature has made the game an automatic buy for me.

I can't wait to destroy the Knicks again.

[Anthony]

sounds cool, at least there's a reason/payoff to doing the Jordan Challenge. they could've easily have just given you a pat on the back for completing all 10 challenges. bhlloy your 1984 league idea would make me ejaculate on a nun out of excitement.

[Anthony]

I can't wait to destroy the Knicks again.

fuck you. :mad:

[bhlloy]

Seriously I would pay 100 bucks for a retro NBA game from sometime before the mid 90's and ability to edit draft classes and rosters. It would only need to be arenas, logos and the correct size league (expansion nice but optional), the community would have rosters up within weeks. I don't see why that is so impossible that it can't be done. Presumably the old team logos and arena images are still owned by the NBA and could be licensed under a current agreement?

[Icy]

So who will strart as PG in the Pacers? they have a ton of guards now:

Darren Collison
Lance Stephenson
A.J. Price
T.J. Ford
Earl Watson

[whomario]

well, as long as you can´t change the schedule to 58 or 29 games and can´t sim games it´s a 100% useless mode as no one will play 82 games for 15 seasons.

[Anthony]

Seriously I would pay 100 bucks for a retro NBA game from sometime before the mid 90's and ability to edit draft classes and rosters. It would only need to be arenas, logos and the correct size league (expansion nice but optional), the community would have rosters up within weeks. I don't see why that is so impossible that it can't be done. Presumably the old team logos and arena images are still owned by the NBA and could be licensed under a current agreement?

that's worth $120 to me, to play a 1980's NBA game with next gen graphics and user created draft classes. i'd easily get about 5 years gameplay out of that.

[fflix]

trailer:
hxxp://bit.ly/9bKQ9I

preview:
hxxp://xbox360.ign.com/articles/111/1112344p1.html

[whomario]

It´s just crazy that after all those years you can insert Jordan as a main feature into a video game and everyone goes crazy, as if it needed anymore confirmation of his impact on everything basketball ...

I wouldn´t be surprised if sales were astronomical.

I´m just hoping that they did sth to give players the actual possibility of making a deep run into my player (simming games, please ...)

[rowech]

Is it too much to hope that this game could launch some sort of timewarm games to late 80s/early 90s players in a variety of sports?

[Groundhog]

After watching that trailer, I need to change my pants.

[Anthony]

Is it too much to hope that this game could launch some sort of timewarm games to late 80s/early 90s players in a variety of sports?

that'd be great, althought it'd be hard to measure who bought the game for Jordan and who bought it to play retro teams. but i'd love to see a wave of sports games with retro teams and real player names.

[Scoobz0202]

MLB: The Show 1960's Style...

*cream*

[dubb93]

I would love to see sports game release past seasons as DLC. Probably be hard due to negotiating with each individual player, but it is DLC that I would purchase. I wonder how financially viable this would be?

It´s just crazy that after all those years you can insert Jordan as a main feature into a video game and everyone goes crazy

I haven't bought a 2K basketball game since the Dreamcast, but b/c of Jordan, my fond memory of playing the DC games, and the good things I hear about this game every year I will be purchasing it this year. Without Jordan and classic teams this wouldn't even be on my radar.

[Atocep]

I'm loving what they've announced so far, but different shoes giving different attribute bonuses is about as stupid as it gets.

NBA 2K11 Has A Shoe Fetish (http://kotaku.com/5616237/nba-2k11-has-a-shoe-fetish)

[rjolley]

The latest developer insight has been posted: 2K Sports (http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/index.cfm?aid=2883419&l=11)

[RainMaker]

Not sure if this has been mentioned before. Seems like the My Player feature is adding a lot of off-the-court elements to it.

Sign Endorsements In NBA 2K11's Career Mode (http://kotaku.com/5627944/sign-endorsements-in-nba-2k11s-career-mode)

Answering Questions About NBA 2K11's Postgame Q&As (http://kotaku.com/5628994/answering-questions-about-nba-2k11s-postgame-qas)

[Groundhog]

As long as I don't get subbed in and out of the game every 30 seconds, the rest is gravy.

[DaddyTorgo]

The latest developer insight has been posted: 2K Sports (http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/index.cfm?aid=2883419&l=11)

Wow - that sounds sweet. IDK why I don't have this reserved yet.

[bhlloy]

As long as I don't get subbed in and out of the game every 30 seconds, the rest is gravy.

+1 to this, I would also add that unless they fixed the positioning logic as well (5'9 PG getting subbed in at SF against 6'10 guys) it's still a useless mode. Fun until the actual games start, then absolutely maddening.

[rjolley]

New Developer Insight up, this one talking about My Player (http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/).

[Balldog]

Demo is out.

[DaddyTorgo]

Demo is out.

4realz??

woot

[DaddyTorgo]

demo for fifa is out too

[Groundhog]

The facebook site for 2K11 has a lot of interesting videos re: the playbooks. Basically, plays look a HELL of a lot better (ie. usable) in this year's version, which is great news. I got strangely excited watching the Spurs clip. Running pick and rolls with Parker-Duncan looks like awesome fun.

[DaddyTorgo]

The facebook site for 2K11 has a lot of interesting videos re: the playbooks. Basically, plays look a HELL of a lot better (ie. usable) in this year's version, which is great news. I got strangely excited watching the Spurs clip. Running pick and rolls with Parker-Duncan looks like awesome fun.


Yeah - this last diary talked a lot about how the plays (and the playcalling) have been totally redone and plays are actually now useable and (at higher difficulty levels) necessary.

demo is dl-ing now

[rjolley]

If you want to see more about the playbooks, head over to the main OS site. They are doing 10 teams in 10 days, showing off the playbooks for various teams. So far, they've done the Celtics, Jazz, Lakers, Spurs, and Thunder.

[DaddyTorgo]

I couldn't really get the plays to work as the lakers in the demo. then again, being forced to play as the lakers my patience was seriously tested.

[rjolley]

Plays aren't available in the demo.

[DaddyTorgo]

hah - thought not. i think i had one work with kobe - i mean i know i did...i had arrows on the floor and such, but only one time.

[whomario]

demo for fifa is out too

PES follows today :) (4 teams, 10 minute game)

as for the NBA2K11 demo : I don´t get it, why put out a demo of 4 minutes of gameplay, making available just 1 team, no ability to change anything and stripping down audio/atmosphere? Is that really going to convince anyone of the games quality ? I just can´t believe this is actually enhancing sales ...

Why not enable a practice mode controlling Jordan as a bonus ? Why not give a choice of multiple teams and have a full game available ? (4X4 minutes) Do they really think anyone won´t buy the game because they have a slightly more in-depth demo ? :confused:

[RainMaker]

They've never been real savvy with their marketing. Make great games though.

I agree that it seems counterintuitive to offer such a stripped down demo. Maybe it would have been too large to include everything. But since the main selling point is Jordan, you'd think they'd include him into something when it came to the demo.

96 Bulls vs 10 Heat would have been my choice.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yeah...it wasn't the greatest demo for nba2k11. gameplay does seem improved though. i'll have to give it a bit more time tonight, but i got fifa-demo fever last night.

[Neon_Chaos]

As much as I love the 2K franchise, I will be waiting until late November or December to get this. :)

I've been burned by 2K9 and 2K10, in that they had to release several sets of patches to rectify release-date gameplay bugs.

[rjolley]

Latest developer insight (http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/) is up. This one talks about the presentation. Looks like dynamic attendance made it in for this version.

I'm looking forward to this version. The improvements are promising and 2K Sports does a good job with their basketball games overall. College Hoops is still THE game on my XBox. I will pick up 2K11 soon after release based on that record...maybe even pre-order it for a good deal.

[dubb93]

Terrible demo. I haven't played this series in so long and I was looking forward to this one, but that demo is rough.....

[RainMaker]

It makes me sad that 2K doesn't make a college game anymore.

[DaddyTorgo]

Terrible demo. I haven't played this series in so long and I was looking forward to this one, but that demo is rough.....

game will still be good. demo was just rough.

[MizzouRah]

I'm not an NBA guy.. but I just might trade Madden in on NBA 2k11.

[whomario]

Latest developer insight (http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/) is up. This one talks about the presentation. Looks like dynamic attendance made it in for this version.


In the demo before the game when the stadium is shown you see a number for attendance and it changes every time. Not that it propably should at a Lakers-Celtics game, but still a good sign in regards to dynamic attendance :)

a random "holy shit, that´s awesome" moment : I had Gasol set a screen for me and he got called for an offensive foul/moving screen :eek: Even looked right (granted with no replay) as i definitely moved before he was set.

The demo sucks as far as giving a proper impression, but a few very promising things :

- ability to call for a double team by a specific teammate. Longtime issue i had resolved.

- defensive rotations and Pick and Roll allready look vastly improved and more realistic, had people trap me, hedge on the ball handler or go under the screen routinely (and first impression is that Kobe gets defended differently than Fisher or Artest)

- The Fake Pass is genious, why didn´t no one implent that before ?

- Post Moves seem improved again

- Physichal contact is definitely there this time

- more deflections rather than outright steals


Negative observations :

- Layups veeeeeery high off the glas. Supposedly fixed for the release build, but you never know what "fixed" means

- Rebounds feel off, feels way more like "the highest jumper gets it" than 2K10 where boxing out actually worked for both you and the cpu ...

- way to many blocked shots (sliders should help here)

- Passes at times are still about as fast as thrown by a 3 year old ...

[rjolley]

A video of Kobe doing damage from the demo. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMMAtXFf5kA&feature=player_embedded)

[whomario]

Miami Heat executing plays/making sure their stars get open :

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I sure hope this will be the year where plays are actually working, so far it looks very much to be the case :)

[ace1914]

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[DaddyTorgo]

<OBJECT width=640 height=385>


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z3oXgFr2y8k?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></OBJECT></P>
hahah


i just burst out laughing when rondo jumped into the picture.

[Groundhog]

LOL! :D

[RainMaker]

This is the NBA Elite Demo. Not only does it look horrible, but fastforward to 2:19 and watch center court.

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[bhlloy]

Those player models and motions are straight out of 2003. How can you get away with trying to charge $60 in 2010 for a game like that? Is this really how bad EA basketball games have been recently?

LOL at Bynum the Redeemer... even for EA that's a funny bug

[Groundhog]

LOL! And O'Neal is wide open thanks to Bynum posing at centre court, gets the ball down low, and decides to do the Olajuwon no-look hook shot (and miss).

[RainMaker]

The demo is so bad that there are no words. Seriously, this is like NBA Live from 10+ years ago. I can't believe they started from scratch and this is what they came up with.

It feels like it was developed by some guys who knew nothing about basketball, went to Wikipedia to learn the rules and then picked up a couple highlight videos. The commentary is bizarre with outdated basketball slang (who says 2-pointer anymore?) and no depth. It's entirely based on 1-on-1 and over-the-top animations.

I know 2K has been winning the battle here over EA in this series, but I'm getting worried that the gap will get so large that EA will buy up an exclusive license since they can't compete.

[Groundhog]

Well, on the plus side as far as EA basketball goes, NBA Jam looks like fun.

[Balldog]

I'm predicting either 2 things to happen in the next couple months.

1) EA tries to get an exclusive license from the NBA, because they are getting completely worked on basketball games.

2) EA announces they are no longer making a basketball game, claiming there isn't a market for it (just like NCAA BBall) but announces they will make Rock Skipping 2012 instead.

[whomario]

Wait, that wasn´t a video about NBA Jam ? :D

unbelievable stuff happening there. NBA2K was never perfect and was actually highly mediocre at times, but never that bad ...

The 1 thing EA did "right" will be a bad thing as well, them offering a full game as demo. Much more time/opportunities to find out about those type of ridiculous mistakes :D

The 2K demo : I am soooo hooked. Still annoyed as shit over the 4 minutes, but that sad excuse of a demo with no changes to sliders, difficulty and rosters feels allready a much better game than 2K10 (which was a pretty good game in itself if you could look over their one major screwup with Chemistry option resulting in Big Men shooting 3s, i just turned it off and was fine with it).

Looking forward for today´s Insight on Association :)

[MizzouRah]

That video still has me laughing.. the guy saying WTF, look at this guy standing there like Jesus.. lol... that was great.

[DaddyTorgo]

nba2k11 will be great. it's not on my "must buy right away" list b/c of the patches needed to make last year's truly playable, but i'm sure i'll grab it at some point.

[samifan24]

That video still has me laughing.. the guy saying WTF, look at this guy standing there like Jesus.. lol... that was great.

I was laughing so hard I was almost crying. Everyone should just skip to the 2:19 mark and watch til the end. It's hilarious how the guy playing the demo goes from being interested to realizing how horrible it is.

[rjolley]

Thanks for posting that comedy reel. I needed a good laugh this morning.

"Look! He's standing like Jesus in the middle of the court!"

[whomario]

association insight is out :

2K Sports (http://community.2ksports.com/community/insights/)

If even 50% of this improvement holds true ... No, i can´t even fathom it ... Even if it has problems (which i guess is almost inevitable), at least they are trying to take the next step... And again, if it even remotely works fine this will be major. Teams actively strengthening their roster in positions of need and considering that when making trades, teams acting differently when they are rebuilding as opposed to when they just won 60 games, rebuilding teams giving up on high-paid players, teams making roster moves within their coach/play style ... Better simulation engine ...

and the smaller stuff like a player/trade search option, draft day trades, splitting the MLE, player progression screens, intra-squad srimmages or dynamic attendance :) Heck, that i can even call that "smaller stuff" speaks volumes about how much promise this insight holds.

and even smaller stuff like more metric stats (rebound rate f.e.) and player portraits making a comeback.

Of course, half of that stuff should have been in there for a while ... ;)

We´ll have to see if it works, but at least someone is serious about this. Heck, this feature list isn´t that far off of what a text-sim like DDSPB2 is aiming at ...


the one thing that i disliked is their example of the Suns giving up Richardson as they are in rebuilding mode. Does anyone still doubt that Steve Nash in that offense lead 4 5th graders into the playoffs ? ;)

[Groundhog]

Well, need to see how all this will actually function in practice, but I'm happy that we finally seem to be advancing to the point where these graphical simulations are overtaking text simulators in the franchise mode/sim side of things.

[Icy]

The list of improvements and features is amazing, i hope there won't be game stopping bugs.

Between NBA2k11 and DDSPB2 we are going to be on basketball heaven this season!

[RainMaker]

Well, need to see how all this will actually function in practice, but I'm happy that we finally seem to be advancing to the point where these graphical simulations are overtaking text simulators in the franchise mode/sim side of things.
I wouldn't go that far yet. While these additions sound amazing, most other sports games are stagnant or actually regressing.

FIFA is nowhere near FM, Madden's franchise mode was better 10 years ago, and The Show's got worse this year too. These games have a long ways to go before catching up to text sims, although it looks like basketball may be right on the cusp.

[stevew]

That video still has me laughing.. the guy saying WTF, look at this guy standing there like Jesus.. lol... that was great.

i can't stop laughing

[MizzouRah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sso0IbITKJw&feature=player_embedded

This game is unreal.. I really don't get into the NBA much, but this is a day 1 purchase for me this year.. probably my first NBA game since tecmo basketball on the snes.

They have added so many cool things, game looks just like a tv broadcast.

[markprior22]

Yeah, I'm as excited about this as I have been about a game in quite some time. I liked My Player last year...this year they have supposedly focused on fixing the little things in that mode...Association looks very cool, the MJ moments seems promising and I can't wait to play some games with the mid 80's Celtics. If this stuff works mostly as advertised, they have really set the bar high.

[whomario]

less flashy video showcasing the awesomness that is shot stick :

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MhZj57m3TFA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MhZj57m3TFA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

i hope whoever had that idea back in the day got a nice raise and promotion out of it :)

Seriously, whenever someone says "i´d rather use the button instead" i want to go laugh in a corner somewhere ...

[Terps]

Video of a Jordan Challenge I just beat against the Jazz... Sunk the game winner with MJ as time expired.

2K Sports (http://community.2ksports.com/community/media/viewer.cfm?mediaid=2550779)

[k0ruptr]

Thats sick!

[Terps]

Also, I don't know if this was touched on in any insights or this thread (haven't read it all), but now to go along with the Real Player Free Throw %, there's now an option to turn on Real Player Field Goal %.

I absolutely love that as I don't have to worry about getting a player's jumper release perfected to score with him, or only be able to score with a scrub who has an easy jumper to to score with.

[Balldog]

Also, I don't know if this was touched on in any insights or this thread (haven't read it all), but now to go along with the Real Player Free Throw %, there's now an option to turn on Real Player Field Goal %.

I absolutely love that as I don't have to worry about getting a player's jumper release perfected to score with him, or only be able to score with a scrub who has an easy jumper to to score with.

I've been wanting this for years, I've been on the fence about buying this game but this does it. I'm in!

[whomario]

would be even better if we could decide which player to use real % and which to time. I love timing the jumpshots but some motions i just can´t work with and often ended up editing them to another release.


the one thing that (judging from the gameplay vids and the demo) might be a real problem is that absolutely no one boxes out under the basket, it´s all one giant high-jump contest.
They actually improved that by a ton last year and now it seems to be back to square one ...

Also, pass outs after driving to the basket or during the shooting motion seem excessive ...

[Terps]

Haven't noticed a lot of passes out of the drive to the hoop, or during a shot, but you're right about the boxing out. Usually it seems that everyone near the rim is just jumping up for the ball.

[MizzouRah]

Also, I don't know if this was touched on in any insights or this thread (haven't read it all), but now to go along with the Real Player Free Throw %, there's now an option to turn on Real Player Field Goal %.

I absolutely love that as I don't have to worry about getting a player's jumper release perfected to score with him, or only be able to score with a scrub who has an easy jumper to to score with.

I don't think I would like this.. but I'll see.

I want a scrub to score a bunch because of what I'm doing with the controller - not be able to make horrible shots with a good player because of his real FG%.

[Philliesfan980]

I don't think I would like this.. but I'll see.

I want a scrub to score a bunch because of what I'm doing with the controller - not be able to make horrible shots with a good player because of his real FG%.

I think I actually like this. As primarily a text sim player, I really care more about attributes than my actual ability.

In theory, the attributes should make things easier (i.e. an old school AI will be able to beat guys off the dribble easier, because he's just faster) naturally, but I'd like this.

[Neon_Chaos]

I don't think I would like this.. but I'll see.

I want a scrub to score a bunch because of what I'm doing with the controller - not be able to make horrible shots with a good player because of his real FG%.

You can turn it on and off similar to real Ft%. No biggie.

[MizzouRah]

You can turn it on and off similar to real Ft%. No biggie.

True.. I was just stating I don't think I want to have a sports game where I just press buttons and the real %'s of the player determine if you score or not.. if that's what I'm understanding about this feature?

[Icy]

I think I actually like this. As primarily a text sim player, I really care more about attributes than my actual ability.

In theory, the attributes should make things easier (i.e. an old school AI will be able to beat guys off the dribble easier, because he's just faster) naturally, but I'd like this.

Exactly my thoughts, i really hated in the past to have star players shooting really bad because i couldn't get used to their release style while i could score way more with scrubs. Love this.

[Neon_Chaos]

True.. I was just stating I don't think I want to have a sports game where I just press buttons and the real %'s of the player determine if you score or not.. if that's what I'm understanding about this feature?

I think so. It'll probably work very similarly to how real FT% is done.

I get where you're coming from. :) I would probably have this feature turned off when playing with friends, and turned on when playing on my own.

[Terps]

Yeah, it works exactly as the Real Player FT% does. You don't have to worry about timing the releases, it's all stats and ratings driven.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I DON'T CARE IF IT'S REAL FG% OR FAKE FG% OR RANDOM FG% AS LONG AS I GET TO BE JORDAN

JORDAN JORDAN JORDAN BEST BASKETBALL GAME EVERRRRRRRRRR

[Eaglesfan27]

Also, I don't know if this was touched on in any insights or this thread (haven't read it all), but now to go along with the Real Player Free Throw %, there's now an option to turn on Real Player Field Goal %.

I absolutely love that as I don't have to worry about getting a player's jumper release perfected to score with him, or only be able to score with a scrub who has an easy jumper to to score with.

Yes!!! I have wanted this feature for years!

[MizzouRah]

I think so. It'll probably work very similarly to how real FT% is done.

I get where you're coming from. :) I would probably have this feature turned off when playing with friends, and turned on when playing on my own.

It's interesting.. but don't think I'll use it. I want Shaq to hit all his FT's. :D

[RainMaker]

How does the real shooting % work though? I mean if someone is a 45% shooter, does that mean they'll be 45% on all shots and all angles and with all types of pressure. Or will it fluctuate still based on how open they are, how set they are and so on.

[DaddyTorgo]

How does the real shooting % work though? I mean if someone is a 45% shooter, does that mean they'll be 45% on all shots and all angles and with all types of pressure. Or will it fluctuate still based on how open they are, how set they are and so on.

I would presume the developers are smart enough to have gone with the latter.

[Terps]

I'm actually about to start simming a season 1 test franchise to see how everything looks. I'll post my findings a little later.

[Terps]

I would presume the developers are smart enough to have gone with the latter.


Yeah, it works well. You're definitely not going to be hitting ridiculous shots just because the players FG% says he should. Plus, you can still adjust the shooting sliders to even tone it down more.

[DaddyTorgo]

how'd you get the game so early Terps?

[Terps]

I simmed season 1, controlling the Wizards. I set everything to computer control, and simmed a month at a time just to check things out.

Season Awards

MVP - LeBron James, Miami Heat (28.3 PTS, 7.6 REB, 6.1 AST, 2.1 STL, 1.2 BLK)
ROY - John Wall, Washington Wizards (19.5 PTS, 2.9 REB, 6.4 AST)
6th Man - Gilbert Arenas, New Orleans Hornets (17.1 PTS, 3.5 REB, 4.0 AST)
Defensive POY - Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (18.0 PTS, 13.1 REB, 2.2 BLK)
Most Improved - Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets (13.6 PTS, 7.1 REB, 4.6 AST)
Coach - Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat (64-18 Record)

All NBA 1st Team - Kobe Bryant, Monta Ellis, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard
2nd Team - Derrick Rose, Manu Ginobli, Dirk Nowitzki, Danny Granger, Al Jefferson

All Rookie 1st Team - John Wall, Wesley Johnson, Ed Davis, Blake Griffin, Derrick Favors
2nd Team - Cole Aldrich, Al-Farouq Aminu, Evan Turner, Patrick Patterson, Paul George

The biggest trades I saw were -
My Wiz traded Arenas and Kevin Seraphin to New Orleans for Trevor Ariza and Peja Stojakovic
Hornets traded Okafor and Quincy Pondexter to Detroit for Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace
Suns traded Hedo Turkoglu and a 2nd rounder to the Lakers for Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton
Cavaliers traded Jamison to Denver for Al Harrington and Chris Andersen

The Raptors fired head coach Jay Triano on 3/30/11, replacing him with Wally McCleod, the Pistons then fired John Kuester on 4/2/11, replacing him with Peter Price.

Playoff Seeding

East - Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Milwaukee, New York, Cleveland
West - LA Lakers, Dallas, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Houston, Phoenix, Utah, Portland

Miami beat San Antonio 4-2 to win the NBA Championship. LeBron was the MVP, averaging 29.5 PTS, 6.9 REB, and 6.5 AST.

A handful of retirements, with the notables being Shaq (inducted into the Hall of Fame), Derek Fisher, Marcus Camby, Antonio McDyess, and Michael Finley. Jerry Sloan and George Karl also retired from coaching.

Toronto wins the lottery for the #1 pick in the NBA Draft.

NBA Draft

Presentation is well done with Stern at the podium. No audio for the selections, the picks just come in one by one and get updated on the draft board behind him. Didn't see if any trades were offered to me as I have everything set to AI control.

Toronto took Rob Buckner/PG/Oregon with the #1 overall. Comes in with a B+ in offense and a A- in defense, rated 92 OVR, NBA comp. of Steve Nash.

2) Detroit - Jerome Matthews/SG/St. John's - 83 OVR
3) Sacramento - Chucky Graves/SF/Iowa St. - 80 OVR
4) Minnesota - Bryant Mark/SG/UMass - 77 OVR
5) Washington - Fred Strawberry/SG/Marquette -76 OVR *Seems like a good pick after trading Arenas away.*
6) Philadelphia - Dillon Pittman/SG/Houston - 71 OVR
7) New Orleans - Ralph Henry/SG/Boston College - 72 OVR
8) Indiana - Harry Gatling/SG/Indiana St. - 81 OVR
9) LA Clippers - Oscar Davidson/SF/Tulane - 71 OVR
10) Charlotte - Sagana Uwawah/C/Nigeria - 67 OVR

Highest player drafted after that was a 72 OVR, most of the 2nd round was low 60's, mid to high 50's OVR.

Free Agency

Again, just simulated, no contracts offered by me at all.

Indiana signs Melo, 4 yr/$77.29M
Indiana signs Zach Randolph, 4 yr/$41.45M
Indiana signs Tony Parker, 4 yr/$48.95M
Orlando signs Vince Carter, 3 yr/$29.22M
Denver signs J.R. Smith, 4 yr/$43.34M
Chicago signs TMac, 4 yr/$23.75M
Utah signs Shannon Brown, 5 yr/$36.92M
Detroit signs Rodney Stuckey, 4 yr/$41.98M
OKC signs Michael Conley, 5 yr/$58.43M
Memphis signs Michael Redd, 4 yr/$19.72M
Golden State signs Marcus Thornton, 5yr/$36.11M
Houston signs Jamal Crawford, 4 yr/$21.36M
NJ signs Spencer Hawes, 4 yr/$44.75M

Not seeing anything really out of whack so far. I think tomorrow I might start a real franchise with the Wiz, and post it up on the dynasty board.

[whomario]

Not seeing anything really out of whack so far. I think tomorrow I might start a real franchise with the Wiz, and post it up on the dynasty board.


You do that and i´ll read along :)

I fully expect there to be some iffy trades and one problem is that the CPU allways gives up on players too early after signing them or trading fro them, but the good thing with 2k is that you can easily reverse all trades by doing a 3 way trade (just swap 2nd rounders with one of the parties involved in the original trade) or taking controll of a team and put off trade restriction.

I´d wish that the NBA comparison would finally focus on what type of player a guy is rather than just being a comparison in a "will be as good as" way.

I´ll definitely design draft classes again, editing in a few sleeper 2nd rounders (if you create a class and edit a 2nd round, he´ll stay one)

[Philliesfan980]

Wow, looks really really good. I don't see anything abnormal there at all.

[Groundhog]

I think some of those trades are more impressive than what we've come to see in NBA 2Kx in the past. The "Cavaliers traded Jamison to Denver for Al Harrington and Chris Andersen" trade in particular.

[samifan24]

IGN's review is out today. They call it "the greatest basketball game ever made."

[whomario]

1 more week to wait over here ...

i´m really not easily gotten by this sort of thing, but the Intro of the game alone is awesome, just the right amount of pathos and drama : <object height="385" width="640">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7FEvBHG8bCM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></object>

"Are you ready ?"

Also, the idea of going straight from the Intro into a quick game (Bulls-Lakers 91) is kind of awesome .


IGN's review is out today. They call it "the greatest basketball game ever made."

and also the most finely polished and fully featured sports game I've ever played



IGN Advertisement (http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/112/1124904p1.html)

there will be problems with the game, but there´s so many good things that it would take a couple major, major problems to keep it from being an amazing game.

the one thing i find to suck is rebounding, aparently a developer called it a problem with the animation being too similar for all players but the sad part here (as is often the case) is that last year rebounding was perfect and widely accepted as the best representation of actual rebounding yet... Ah well, can´t have it all i guess :D

another cool little video on the defensive strategy options (pressure, ball denial and matchups, which also influence P&R defense) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8c5ielIUjY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8c5ielIUjY&feature=player_embedded)

[MizzouRah]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/112/1124875p1.html

IGN gives NBA 2k11 a 9.5


Honestly, the stuff with Michael Jordan is reason enough to pick up NBA 2K11. The fact that 2K Sports did so much more with this game and improved it so greatly over last year's title is stunning. This isn't just the best basketball game ever; it's the best sports game of this generation.

[bhlloy]

I'm pretty hopeful that if 2k is acknowledging a problem with the rebounding, it should be fixed pretty soon. That would certainly be a big downer as obviously it's a huge part of the game, and Hasheem Thabeet is pulling down 20 rebounds a game because he's 7'3 and decently athletic that's really gonna suck... especially as you say it was perfect last year.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yeah - I'm pretty hopeful they'll fix it.

[whomario]

I'm pretty hopeful that if 2k is acknowledging a problem with the rebounding, it should be fixed pretty soon. That would certainly be a big downer as obviously it's a huge part of the game, and Hasheem Thabeet is pulling down 20 rebounds a game because he's 7'3 and decently athletic that's really gonna suck... especially as you say it was perfect last year.

by all accounts (that i´ve heard of) it´s not actually a numbers problem and the rebound distribution is still fine (although Perimeter players historically don´t grab very many boards in played-out games in either 2K or live), the thing is it just looks weird seeing everyone jump up like they are Dennis Rodman.
And the claim i read about was that it´s because of the animation which i don´t think would be patchable.

Last year you´d have the big guys almost never really jump for boards but box out most of the time ...

[CleBrownsfan]

I wasn't going to get 2k11 this year because I'm that disgusted with what happened this summer to the Cavs but reading about legend players/teams has me thinking about it.

Anyone (Terps) know if you'll be able to play with a legendary team in an association mode? If so, I'm sold!

[Terps]

Yes, you can play with the classic teams in an association, you can even re-order the divisions.

[whomario]

you just have to be aware that the team you replace, those players disapear and don´t show up in association, so you have to go in and replace the players you want to keep with players from the FA pool and put those keeper in the FA pool themselves.
If you do this with multiple teams you´ll run into a few problems with trade logic and Free Agency because the talent level gets so much deeper.

Not tested myself, just read about it (but sounds logical)

Gamestop in Germany aparently expects the game to be released on the 5th afterall here as well, hope they are right :)

[Groundhog]

You lucky sonsofbitches in the US get this today, we gotta wait until the 8th in Aussie land. :(

I'm undecided who I'm going to run with in Dynasty mode. I've been reading through Simmons' Book of Basketball and really enjoying his theory on "The Secret", so I think I'm going to attempt to implement some house rules where I have to replace any players I consider bad eggs with "winners", and have to trade anybody who has their morale drop to the point where they are a locker room distraction.

I was thinking the Warriors might be a good option because, a) they have a bad egg with a high enough OVR that I could get some value for him (Monta), b) David Lee is one of my favourite players and a winner IMO, c) Curry, and lastly d) I really dig their new classic-style logo and jerseys.

Anyway, so damn pumped for Friday! Going to take a day of annual leave on Monday just so I get 3 solid days of NBA 2K11. :D

[whomario]

Hope to get it Thursday, most of the time the big stores will put the new releases up a day early (worked the last 2 years with 2K for me).

I was also thinking about playing with the Warriors, other candidates are the Blazers, Thunder, Rockets and Timberwolves (although with a few edits ;) ).

I haven´t played with chemistry on last year at all, when i finally wanted to try it that patch-bug came along (with chemistry on big guys would shoot 3s like mad).

As far as house rules go this sounds interesting, have been doing just that with DDSPB2 during the beta :)

Too bad NBA 2K doesn´t have any indication and ratings for theese things (for example i´d like to know if a prospect is a good kid)

[TroyF]

Not sure who I'll control, but I know my first move. I'll move Lebron will be deleted from my association. If I'm forced to replace him, it'll be with a scrub.

I have to deal with Heat garbage in the real NBA, I won't deal with it when I'm just trying to have some fun playing a game.

[Eaglesfan27]

You lucky sonsofbitches in the US get this today, we gotta wait until the 8th in Aussie land. :(

I'm undecided who I'm going to run with in Dynasty mode. I've been reading through Simmons' Book of Basketball and really enjoying his theory on "The Secret", so I think I'm going to attempt to implement some house rules where I have to replace any players I consider bad eggs with "winners", and have to trade anybody who has their morale drop to the point where they are a locker room distraction.

I was thinking the Warriors might be a good option because, a) they have a bad egg with a high enough OVR that I could get some value for him (Monta), b) David Lee is one of my favourite players and a winner IMO, c) Curry, and lastly d) I really dig their new classic-style logo and jerseys.

Anyway, so damn pumped for Friday! Going to take a day of annual leave on Monday just so I get 3 solid days of NBA 2K11. :D

Technically, we don't get it until tomorrow. :D

Edit: And I will run with my Sixers, even though it may be painful :(

[MizzouRah]

Used to be a Celtics fan way back... haven't really followed basketball to know who I'm going to play with yet.. maybe the Celtics just to compete with the Heat.

[Bigsmooth]

Yeah if the Supes were still around I'd be all over this. Now it just makes me want to cry a little...heh.

[samifan24]

Yeah if the Supes were still around I'd be all over this. Now it just makes me want to cry a little...heh.

You play against the Sonics in one of the Jordan challenge games.

[Bigsmooth]

You play against the Sonics in one of the Jordan challenge games.

Yeah, prolly the '96 Finals. Also, could probably play in Association mode with one of the Sonic old school teams...and just put Durant on the roster.

[Groundhog]

Yeah, prolly the '96 Finals. Also, could probably play in Association mode with one of the Sonic old school teams...and just put Durant on the roster.

Trade out the entire old sonics roster for the Thunder's current roster and you'd have the Sonics back! :D

[Kodos]

I sure wish they had a Charles Barkley team in here. The Suns that played the Bulls in the Finals would be perfect.

[Groundhog]

Thank you EB Games for ignoring the official release date and letting me spend $20 more than I could elsewhere to get it 2 days earlier. :D

[RainMaker]

Trade out the entire old sonics roster for the Thunder's current roster and you'd have the Sonics back! :D
That's a really good idea if it can be done.

[Gary Gorski]

Playoff Seeding

East - Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Milwaukee, New York, Cleveland
West - LA Lakers, Dallas, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Houston, Phoenix, Utah, Portland

My Wiz traded Arenas and Kevin Seraphin to New Orleans for Trevor Ariza and Peja Stojakovic
Hornets traded Okafor and Quincy Pondexter to Detroit for Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace
Suns traded Hedo Turkoglu and a 2nd rounder to the Lakers for Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton

Free Agency

Again, just simulated, no contracts offered by me at all.

Indiana signs Melo, 4 yr/$77.29M
Indiana signs Zach Randolph, 4 yr/$41.45M
Indiana signs Tony Parker, 4 yr/$48.95M
Orlando signs Vince Carter, 3 yr/$29.22M
Denver signs J.R. Smith, 4 yr/$43.34M
Chicago signs TMac, 4 yr/$23.75M
Utah signs Shannon Brown, 5 yr/$36.92M
Detroit signs Rodney Stuckey, 4 yr/$41.98M
OKC signs Michael Conley, 5 yr/$58.43M
Memphis signs Michael Redd, 4 yr/$19.72M
Golden State signs Marcus Thornton, 5yr/$36.11M
Houston signs Jamal Crawford, 4 yr/$21.36M
NJ signs Spencer Hawes, 4 yr/$44.75M

Not seeing anything really out of whack so far. I think tomorrow I might start a real franchise with the Wiz, and post it up on the dynasty board.

Oooh, can I put in my critiques regarding the game's Trade and FA logic?

First how is Cleveland a playoff team?

Why is New Orleans trading for Arenas and Ben Gordon and then letting Thornton go? To piggy back on that why is New Orleans dumping Okafor's contract for an equally bad one in Ben Gordon especially with Arenas already playing 6th man apparently?

Why is Phoenix doing a straight salary dump on Hedo when they are a playoff team?

Melo and Tony Parker to Indy? Really? Did they dump Danny Granger and Darren Collison? Plus Randolph?

4 years for a broken down T-Mac? and for Redd?

OKC committing $60m to Conley to backup Westbrook for the next 5 years?

NJ paying $45m for Hawes to backup Brook Lopez?

The game looks beautiful but this is supposed to be the revamped and super smart franchise building AI?

Maybe I'm being overly critical after all the AI stuff I've been dealing with on DDSPB2 but just looking at these moves is kind of a letdown after all the talk about the revamped franchise AI

[Groundhog]

It's hard to make any real comments without seeing the rosters of the teams involved in the deals, but I certainly don't think it's out of the question that the Cavs make the playoffs this year. Jamison is good, Hickson has the potential for a big year, and Mo Williams can score. I like Scott as a coach too. Best thing for them would be to strip the roster as bare as possible and rebuild, but as it stands I think #7 or #8 seed is not an unrealistic goal.

[RedKingGold]

Easy Gary, Terps has all AI GM's settings set to Kahn.

[DaddyTorgo]

Oooh, can I put in my critiques regarding the game's Trade and FA logic?

First how is Cleveland a playoff team?

Why is New Orleans trading for Arenas and Ben Gordon and then letting Thornton go? To piggy back on that why is New Orleans dumping Okafor's contract for an equally bad one in Ben Gordon especially with Arenas already playing 6th man apparently?

Why is Phoenix doing a straight salary dump on Hedo when they are a playoff team?

Melo and Tony Parker to Indy? Really? Did they dump Danny Granger and Darren Collison? Plus Randolph?

4 years for a broken down T-Mac? and for Redd?

OKC committing $60m to Conley to backup Westbrook for the next 5 years?

NJ paying $45m for Hawes to backup Brook Lopez?

The game looks beautiful but this is supposed to be the revamped and super smart franchise building AI?

Maybe I'm being overly critical after all the AI stuff I've been dealing with on DDSPB2 but just looking at these moves is kind of a letdown after all the talk about the revamped franchise AI

damn - good points

[Gary Gorski]

It's hard to make any real comments without seeing the rosters of the teams involved in the deals, but I certainly don't think it's out of the question that the Cavs make the playoffs this year. Jamison is good, Hickson has the potential for a big year, and Mo Williams can score. I like Scott as a coach too. Best thing for them would be to strip the roster as bare as possible and rebuild, but as it stands I think #7 or #8 seed is not an unrealistic goal.

You can't make the playoffs if you win 30 games.

You're right on the best thing for them to do is just start all over but they're locked into Varejao and Mo long term, Jamison for next year as well, Sessions for 3 and two years of Boobie Gibson at 4m+.

Teams with a better team than Mo/Sessions/Moon/Hickson/Varejao/Jamison/Parker
Atlanta - YES
Boston - YES
Charlotte - YES
Chicago - YES
Detroit - YES (Stuckey, Rip, Prince, Jerebko, Ben, Gordon, Monroe, TMac, CV31)
Indiana - YES
Miami - YES
Milwuakee - YES
New Jersey - YES (Harris, T-Will, Outlaw, Murphy, Lopez, Morrow, Favors)
New York - YES
Orlando - YES
Philly - YES
Toronto - EVEN (Jack, Calderon, Kleiza, Amir, Bargs, DeRozan, Ed Davis)
Washington - YES (Wall, Arenas, Thornton, Blatche, McGee, Hinrich, Yi)

So by my count they're the worst or 2nd to worst team on paper. Actually their best strategy is just lose like they did before LeBron and hope the lottery smacks them in the face again.

[TroyF]

Oooh, can I put in my critiques regarding the game's Trade and FA logic?

First how is Cleveland a playoff team?

Why is New Orleans trading for Arenas and Ben Gordon and then letting Thornton go? To piggy back on that why is New Orleans dumping Okafor's contract for an equally bad one in Ben Gordon especially with Arenas already playing 6th man apparently?

Why is Phoenix doing a straight salary dump on Hedo when they are a playoff team?

Melo and Tony Parker to Indy? Really? Did they dump Danny Granger and Darren Collison? Plus Randolph?

4 years for a broken down T-Mac? and for Redd?

OKC committing $60m to Conley to backup Westbrook for the next 5 years?

NJ paying $45m for Hawes to backup Brook Lopez?

The game looks beautiful but this is supposed to be the revamped and super smart franchise building AI?

Maybe I'm being overly critical after all the AI stuff I've been dealing with on DDSPB2 but just looking at these moves is kind of a letdown after all the talk about the revamped franchise AI

I actually agree with a lot of your points, but I'm not as concerned because I look at AI less critical from a graphical idea. Just to play devil's advocate on some of this:

I can see Cleveland being a playoff team. (that's serious by the way)

Thornton didn't sign a big deal with GS, maybe he isn't rated that good.

I would guess TMac and Redd are rated better than what they are and the game can't tell they are over the hill, only that they are mid level type talent.

I can't figure out OKC with Conley, the rest of the Hornets moves or what Indiana is thinking with Granger, but in fairness we can't see the rosters either. Could be some trades going on we didn't see. Still, those moves are bad. Really bad.

[TroyF]

You can't make the playoffs if you win 30 games.

You're right on the best thing for them to do is just start all over but they're locked into Varejao and Mo long term, Jamison for next year as well, Sessions for 3 and two years of Boobie Gibson at 4m+.

Teams with a better team than Mo/Sessions/Moon/Hickson/Varejao/Jamison/Parker
Atlanta - YES
Boston - YES
Charlotte - YES
Chicago - YES
Detroit - YES (Stuckey, Rip, Prince, Jerebko, Ben, Gordon, Monroe, TMac, CV31)
Indiana - YES
Miami - YES
Milwuakee - YES
New Jersey - YES (Harris, T-Will, Outlaw, Murphy, Lopez, Morrow, Favors)
New York - YES
Orlando - YES
Philly - YES
Toronto - EVEN (Jack, Calderon, Kleiza, Amir, Bargs, DeRozan, Ed Davis)
Washington - YES (Wall, Arenas, Thornton, Blatche, McGee, Hinrich, Yi)

So by my count they're the worst or 2nd to worst team on paper. Actually their best strategy is just lose like they did before LeBron and hope the lottery smacks them in the face again.


I think you vastly overrate some of those teams. Detroit, Indy, Philly, Toronto and Washington are all teams I'd put below the Cavs. You throw in some injuries to other teams and I can see the Cavs leaping them as well.

Lastly, don't think for a second Cleveland won't play pissed off. Very pissed off. On back to backs and travel nights, I expect Cleveland will want it more than most teams. That anger will translate into some cheap road wins. I could easily see that team win 43-45 games and sneak into the playoffs.

[Groundhog]

IMO:

Atlanta - Yes
Boston - Yes
Charlotte - Maybe. Seriously sucky at PG right now, and who plays the 5?
Chicago - Yes
Detroit - No, this team is a mess IMO.
Indiana - Maybe, though I think Cavs will finish ahead of them unless Collison plays like he did last season in the Hornets system.
Miami - No ( ;) )
Milwuakee - Yes
New Jersey - I think No at this stage.
New York - Should be better.
Orlando - Yes.
Philly - No.
Toronto - No.
Washington - Potentially yes, at the moment most likely no.

[Gary Gorski]

I think you vastly overrate some of those teams. Detroit, Indy, Philly, Toronto and Washington are all teams I'd put below the Cavs. You throw in some injuries to other teams and I can see the Cavs leaping them as well.

Lastly, don't think for a second Cleveland won't play pissed off. Very pissed off. On back to backs and travel nights, I expect Cleveland will want it more than most teams. That anger will translate into some cheap road wins. I could easily see that team win 43-45 games and sneak into the playoffs.

I don't think Detroit, Indy, Philly, Toronto and Washington are vastly superior - in fact I don't think those teams are all that good (although I do like Philly). I just think Cleveland is awful - Mo seems to have some personal problems and Jamison is projected off the bench and he'll be nothing but a chucker all year. Hickson is the wild card - if he makes the jump and turns into something really good then maybe they've got a shot at #8 but if they went from having a VERY favorable schedule to a brutal one. FWIW I think MIA, ORL, BOS, ATL, CHI (with a healthy Boozer) are the clear top of the East, Milwaukee is a solid 6 and the last two are up for grabs but I like Charlotte, NY, Philly and NJ for those last two spots

[Groundhog]

I think you vastly overrate some of those teams. Detroit, Indy, Philly, Toronto and Washington are all teams I'd put below the Cavs. You throw in some injuries to other teams and I can see the Cavs leaping them as well.

Lastly, don't think for a second Cleveland won't play pissed off. Very pissed off. On back to backs and travel nights, I expect Cleveland will want it more than most teams. That anger will translate into some cheap road wins. I could easily see that team win 43-45 games and sneak into the playoffs.

It's no coincidence that every guy they brought in to "help" LeBron ended up underperforming. The offense was a mess, and very deserving of all the "clear out 23" jokes. Assuming Jamison hasn't regressed 5 years he can be an 18-8 guy. Mo Williams will step up (and I actually respect him a lot more now than I did 12 months ago), and J.J. Hickson could get a double-double.

They have an abundance of good role players (Moon, Sessions, Powe, Anthony, Graham), and a coach that is a big upgrade over what was there before.

[Terps]

Indiana still had Granger and Collison. They have Granger set as a role player, and his agent says a bigger role for him would be appreciated. Parker is the 6th man, with his agent saying he's happy with his role. Their starting 5 is Melo, Collison, Gatling (their 1st rounder), Randolph, and Roy Hibbert.

Conley got that contract to be the 6th man for OKC. Their 5 are Ellis, Curry, Lee, Biedrins, and Thornton.

Thornton (72 OVR), is listed as a starter for GS.

TMac (71 OVR), is listed as a starter for Chicago over Ronnie Brewer (also 71 OVR.)

Redd (71 OVR), is listed as a starter for Memphis, apparently at SF.

New Orleans starting 5 is Paul, Gordon, David West, Tayshaun Prince, and Wallace. Grant Hill is the 6th man, and Arenas (who dropped 10 points in the offseason, now a 71 OVR), is listed as a role player.

The Suns have Nash, Iverson (2 yrs, 15 mil.), Dudley, Saric, and Ilyasova as starters, with Richardson as the 6th man. Nash is the highest rated player at 80 OVR.

Hawes is listed as the 6th man in NJ. Lopez, Harris, Favors, Williams, and Buchanon (their 1st rounder, rated 68 OVR) are the starters.

Cleveland's starting 5 for the 2011 season are Williams, Harrington, Sessions, Jerry Temple (their 1st rounder 69 OVR Center), and Graham, with Varejao the 6th man. Williams is the highest rated at 75 OVR.

[DaddyTorgo]

how is redd a starting SF? that's frigging criminal right there.

[Gary Gorski]

Indiana still had Granger and Collison. They have Granger set as a role player, and his agent says a bigger role for him would be appreciated. Parker is the 6th man, with his agent saying he's happy with his role. Their starting 5 is Melo, Collison, Gatling (their 1st rounder), Randolph, and Roy Hibbert.

Conley got that contract to be the 6th man for OKC. Their 5 are Ellis, Curry, Lee, Biedrins, and Thornton.

Thornton (72 OVR), is listed as a starter for GS.

TMac (71 OVR), is listed as a starter for Chicago over Ronnie Brewer (also 71 OVR.)

Redd (71 OVR), is listed as a starter for Memphis, apparently at SF.

New Orleans starting 5 is Paul, Gordon, David West, Tayshaun Prince, and Wallace. Grant Hill is the 6th man, and Arenas (who dropped 10 points in the offseason, now a 71 OVR), is listed as a role player.

The Suns have Nash, Iverson (2 yrs, 15 mil.), Dudley, Saric, and Ilyasova as starters, with Richardson as the 6th man. Nash is the highest rated player at 80 OVR.

Hawes is listed as the 6th man in NJ. Lopez, Harris, Favors, Williams, and Buchanon (their 1st rounder, rated 68 OVR) are the starters.

Cleveland's starting 5 for the 2011 season are Williams, Harrington, Sessions, Jerry Temple (their 1st rounder 69 OVR Center), and Graham, with Varejao the 6th man. Williams is the highest rated at 75 OVR.

Yikes - that sucks. As much as I like my game I do like console games and was really hoping that 2k11 would be a good one to be able to play with but Granger a role player? He's their franchise player right now. Parker taking a backup role when he would easily start for many teams?

Redd the SF in Memphis? Where's Rudy Gay and his big contract?

2K should just buy DDSPB2 and merge the franchise mode with their pretty graphics. So much for the AI and franchise building.

[DaddyTorgo]

Seriously - you ought to run 5 seasons with their sim engine and then 5 seasons with yours gary and show them the composition of the teams and say "okay...now which is more realistic?"

(i say 5 years only because i suspect they wouldn't have the attention span for more, or want to see any drafted players taking over for fading superstars)

[Terps]

how is redd a starting SF? that's frigging criminal right there.

That's what they have listed as his secondary position.

[Gary Gorski]

Seriously - you ought to run 5 seasons with their sim engine and then 5 seasons with yours gary and show them the composition of the teams and say "okay...now which is more realistic?"

(i say 5 years only because i suspect they wouldn't have the attention span for more, or want to see any drafted players taking over for fading superstars)

In all honesty I doubt they care - they say they care and try to make a big deal about it but I guarantee more work went into the Jordan stuff than trying to make the teams make realistic decisions and that's because Jordan = $$$$$ and making sure Michael Redd is not signed as a starting SF for a team that just maxed out their young SF = nothing...which happily lets a niche for a guy like me exist. For the people who actually do care about things like that they can play my game.

[Terps]

And Gay is still on the team in Memphis. Maybe that's just what they have his position listed as right now because it's the offseason, I'll sim ahead to the start of the regular season and see what happens.

[Terps]

Dola,

Redd is at SG after the 1st game, Gay at SF.

[Gary Gorski]

Dola,

Redd is at SG after the 1st game, Gay at SF.

Does that mean Mayo is the PG?

[Groundhog]

Seriously - you ought to run 5 seasons with their sim engine and then 5 seasons with yours gary and show them the composition of the teams and say "okay...now which is more realistic?"

(i say 5 years only because i suspect they wouldn't have the attention span for more, or want to see any drafted players taking over for fading superstars)

This is actually a good idea. If I get a chance tonight I will sim 5 seasons and look at some of the rosters.

[Terps]

Does that mean Mayo is the PG?

Yep. He scored 40 in 42 minutes, Gay scored 24, and Redd scored 19. They beat the Lakers 111-93.

[Gary Gorski]

This is actually a good idea. If I get a chance tonight I will sim 5 seasons and look at some of the rosters.

Do it tomorrow after I update the roster file. There is a mistake I made in entering the contracts of the 2nd-3rd year players that I need to correct or else the end up in free agency too soon

[DaddyTorgo]

In all honesty I doubt they care - they say they care and try to make a big deal about it but I guarantee more work went into the Jordan stuff than trying to make the teams make realistic decisions and that's because Jordan = $$$$$ and making sure Michael Redd is not signed as a starting SF for a team that just maxed out their young SF = nothing...which happily lets a niche for a guy like me exist. For the people who actually do care about things like that they can play my game.

oh i'm sure they don't really "care," but i don't know what your situation is like...maybe you'd like to sell the code to them for that side of things and have a lil nest egg.

i mean i know that's not why you're in it, but if the opportunity was there...it'd certainly be something you'd have to consider i imagine.

i dunno.

talking out my ass mostly. it'd be an interesting comparison anyways though, that's for sure

[Groundhog]

Do it tomorrow after I update the roster file. There is a mistake I made in entering the contracts of the 2nd-3rd year players that I need to correct or else the end up in free agency too soon

No problem, will do.

[RainMaker]

I don't think Detroit, Indy, Philly, Toronto and Washington are vastly superior - in fact I don't think those teams are all that good (although I do like Philly). I just think Cleveland is awful - Mo seems to have some personal problems and Jamison is projected off the bench and he'll be nothing but a chucker all year. Hickson is the wild card - if he makes the jump and turns into something really good then maybe they've got a shot at #8 but if they went from having a VERY favorable schedule to a brutal one. FWIW I think MIA, ORL, BOS, ATL, CHI (with a healthy Boozer) are the clear top of the East, Milwaukee is a solid 6 and the last two are up for grabs but I like Charlotte, NY, Philly and NJ for those last two spots
I don't think they are that bad. Mo Williams is a good ballplayer with or without Lebron. The notion that Lebron made Mo is false, he's actually declined since playing alongside Lebron. I think you guys will be surprised to see he's a pretty good player.

Jamison is still a guy who can put up 18-10 a night. Verajao is one of the better defending/rebounders in the league.

If they made Hickson with the upside a lot of people think he has, I can easily see them slipping into the playoffs. Outside of the top 6 teams, I think it's a giant clusterfuck for those last 2 seeds. We literally can see a 35 win team get the 8-seed this year. I think Cleveland is capable of doing that.

[whomario]

Can i just note real quick that the rosters haven´t been updated yet and are still more or less last years rosters with a few quick changes ? 2K stated they would put out an extensive roster update on release day or the day after. I´m pretty sure the Cavs players will get rated lower on average f.e.
This should also change/adjust player roles.

2nd of all, the AI in the game doesn´t know "history" to start the game, it starts from scratch and doesn´t care what happened in real life over the summer. From what i´m told the moves make way more sense if you let it play out a couple season rather than just looking at it individually. There´s plenty of cases in real life where moves made no sense whatsoever yet in hindsight looked great.

Worst case you can easily re-do every trade you can´t live with or change any players role as you wish in a matter of seconds.

Seriously, unless you run a league for at least 3 years you can´t really judge it, you definitely can´t tell much from 1 isolated 1-season run.

As long as they fixed the issue of teams amassing too many studs at certain positions (and no depth at others), which acording to early reports they have, i don´t care if in year 2,3 or 4 it´s the Thunder, Heat or Knicks winning the championship. It´s a video game, as long as there´s allways great, good, mediocre and bad teams i´m going to be just fine.

I absolutely get being critical with a game (any game) but taking apart a single 1-season sim seams a tad bit cheap and easy. Kind of like shredding a real life teams offseason moves before letting them play at least a few games (or, god forbid, wait a year or 2 and see what happens).

[Icy]

I'm also looking forward to pick it but it's not released until the 8th in Spain.

I'n my case most of the use is the "My player" mode, that i hope won't be as buggy as past year. I really enjoy the rpg sports game modes, in fact before it was available, i used to "player lock" on a created player and to only control him.

For franchise playing, i still prefer the depth of text sims even when the new additions to 2k11 sound great, but i have been screwed already too much by other console games promising deep franchise modes.

[whomario]

I´ll likely still do the player lock with different players within my association games. The inability to change the season length in my player or sim ahead multiple games is simply a dealbreaker for me, even with the ability to sim to the end of games (you still have to go in for every game) added.

Ideally i´d build my player up to respectable level for a season with shorter quarter length while still simming some in a 58 game season, then afterwards sim almost everything and only play key games at 10-12 minute quarters and the playoffs from then on.

The roster update is available over 2K share btw for the guys that have the game allready.

[Atocep]

Picking this one up "for the boy" in a couple hours.

[korme]

can you access 2k share if you have an xbox live membership but its not gold?

[whomario]

can you access 2k share if you have an xbox live membership but its not gold?

100% definite yes :)

[MizzouRah]

One thing I do know.. for my first NBA game since the SNES days, 2k11 is quite fun to play thus far and the opening sequence along with playing the Bulls - Lakers right off the bat sent chills down my spine.

I'm going to have some serious fun with this game.

[Desnudo]

I don't think they are that bad. Mo Williams is a good ballplayer with or without Lebron. The notion that Lebron made Mo is false, he's actually declined since playing alongside Lebron. I think you guys will be surprised to see he's a pretty good player.

Jamison is still a guy who can put up 18-10 a night. Verajao is one of the better defending/rebounders in the league.

If they made Hickson with the upside a lot of people think he has, I can easily see them slipping into the playoffs. Outside of the top 6 teams, I think it's a giant clusterfuck for those last 2 seeds. We literally can see a 35 win team get the 8-seed this year. I think Cleveland is capable of doing that.

Cleveland making it as the #8 with Miami as #1 would be so great. As a Celtics fan, I'd love to see what two games in Cleveland does to Lebron's mental state. They'd probably have to put up a fence around the court.

[Comey]

I tried the first Jordan challenge (score 63 on the C's). I finished with 57 and 4. So close.

This is fun so far.

[CleBrownsfan]

I've had this problem with the past several bball games. I have a hard time "making moves" - the animation looks/feels so clumsy when I try a cross over or spin move. I miss the easy one button for spin, ect.

[MizzouRah]

Best presentation of ANY sports game EVER.

I've seen a few animation buggaloos, but overall, the game is so much fun to play.

The shot stick is fun now that I'm a bit used to it.. the game is the total package as far as game immersion goes.

Hell of a job 2k...

[CleBrownsfan]

For kicks I started a "My Crew" for the 360. Team Name: FOFC

If you all want an invite give me your gamertag

[INDalltheway]

The question for me is going to be Xbox 360 or PS3? Typically play sports games on the Xbox but the roommates play on the PS3. I noticed the menus in NCAA football seemed a little sluggish and was wondering if that was a system specific thing or game specific.

[Atocep]

The question for me is going to be Xbox 360 or PS3? Typically play sports games on the Xbox but the roommates play on the PS3. I noticed the menus in NCAA football seemed a little sluggish and was wondering if that was a system specific thing or game specific.

It's game specific. The menus for NCAA on the PS3 are frustratingly sluggish at times.

[Groundhog]

It's game specific. The menus for NCAA on the PS3 are frustratingly sluggish at times.

Yep.

[Groundhog]

Man, I suck at this game. Specifically, I suck at Iso Motion and scoring from the post, which I guess are probably the two worst things to suck at. :D

Getting better (slowly), but I'm still struggling to hit 80 points with 12 min quarters, playing on all star with the out-of-the-box "simulation mode" sliders with 3pt shooting set back to 50. 45 is waaaaay too low and Stephen Curry was 1-13 through 3 games with it at 45. The vast majority of those were open, too.

One thing that made life tough was that Golden State's default playbook is largely woeful at creating open shots for your players, and now that they have David Lee at PF, running plays to get him out to the 3pt line is not so productive. I made a few changes and it's better, but will need to tweak further.

The Jordan Challenges are fun. I did the Celtics-Bulls one and scored my 63rd point with 1 minute left, but had to intentional foul to speed up Boston's possessions to get assist #6. Finally got it when Oakley hit an open jumper with 3 seconds remaining. The Bulls-Hawks was easy until 'Nique heated up in the 4th. Had to double-team him and he finished with 23 (needed to hold him to 25 or less).

Overall, it's definitely worth the hype so far. The trade offers are impressive. Never before in any NBA 2K game have I received a trade offer and had to think about it. Last night after a month through the season I have had two offers come my way that made me stop and consider them. Haven't played through an offseason yet, so not sure how the AI is there.

[Eaglesfan27]

I suck at Iso Motion and Scoring from the post as well. I tried the Jordan Arrival Challange first and only had 23 points midway through the 3rd so I decided to cut that short. I don't think I was getting 40 in the last 12 minutes ;)

Very enjoyable first two games, but I need to up my skills.

[Groundhog]

Yeah, Jordan mode is difficult with 8 minute quarters. To score 50+ in 8 minute quarters you really need to look to score with Jordan every single possession. Thankfully he's like 2x or 3x faster than most the guys guarding him.

Honestly, I don't know how the hell I'm going to complete the Lakers series challenge. IIRC, it's averaging 33+ PPG, 11+RPG, and 6+APG for like 5 or 6 games. Jeezus. every single time you have the ball.

[sabotai]

This game does seem to high a very high learning curve compared to other games. Especially when it comes to My Player.

[Groundhog]

This game does seem to high a very high learning curve compared to other games. Especially when it comes to My Player.

Woah boy, yeah forgot to mention that. Man, it's waaaay harder than last year. In all the pre-draft combine and summer league games, I struggle to earn a C rating. I actually got a D once and LOST points. In 2K10 I rarely finished less than a B+ at any stage of my career.

[Atocep]

Woah boy, yeah forgot to mention that. Man, it's waaaay harder than last year. In all the pre-draft combine and summer league games, I struggle to earn a C rating. I actually got a D once and LOST points. In 2K10 I rarely finished less than a B+ at any stage of my career.

I thought I was absolutely terrible at the game until I started reading some posts at Operation Sports. Made me feel a lot better.

I love the challenge of it so far. I'm hoping there isn't a patch that makes it easier.

[Eaglesfan27]

With my skill level, I think Pro "simulation" default sliders might be perfect. I just had a great game with my Sixers against the Clippers that was a struggle to win. Seems about right ;)

[Groundhog]

Yah, it doesn't need to get easier, I just need to get better. I tell you what though, when I do actually manage to pull something off and blow by a defender for a layup, I feel like I've really achieved something.

One thing that I have noticed so far, both in My Player and regular mode, is that when the CPU gets the ball in the post, 9.9 times out of 10 they are shooting the ball if you don't bring over a 2nd defender.

[Groundhog]

With my skill level, I think Pro "simulation" default sliders might be perfect. I just had a great game with my Sixers against the Clippers that was a struggle to win. Seems about right ;)

I started on Pro "simulation" and all the games were close but the CPU was shooting sub-40% every game. Sure, so was I, but that's because I suck. Do you see that?

[Antmeister]

For all the PC gamers, this is available on Steam now.

[Eaglesfan27]

I started on Pro "simulation" and all the games were close but the CPU was shooting sub-40% every game. Sure, so was I, but that's because I suck. Do you see that?

The Clippers shot under 40%, but it was the Clippers. I'm going to try playing against the Lakers with my Sixers in a day or two when I get more time to play.

[TroyF]

how do you set a pick in my player mode? I keep trying and nothing seems to happen. I got ripped for my laziness last game.

[Kodos]

I'm not too good at this game. But it's fun. :)

[whomario]

The Simulation Slider set has some very whacky, extreme slider changes from default.

The shooting sliders for one thing on sim need to be upped IMO, at least for the CPU. I have it on 48 for everything now.
Doesn´t make it less sim, rather more sim because you don´t feel forced to drive to the basket everytime to get some scoring.

Look for Postplayer is too high as well.

I´ll also likely up the game speed a bit for the first time ever.

Also, the DB again has a few headscratchers, the new "touches" tendency is way too high for all big men and too low for PGs. Will likely edit that on the fly as i go in association, just edit the team i´m playing against next (they don´t matter for simmed games), so that´s not a big deal and a matter of 3 minutes before each game.

I just got mine yesterday :) 1 advice : Use Total controll passing and lead passing, also make sure to read the manual and go to practice mode. There´s so much you can do this year from a controlling standpoint :

-send players in motion/make them do cuts to the basket
-give and go plays (LT + A button)
-call any player to set you a screen (just tap LB instead of holding it and the hold the respective player button) and decide whether he fakes the screen (release button early), rolls to the basket (release button just as he stes the screen) or pops out for the jumpshot (just hold it a while longer)
-Lead a player to an open spot before passing the ball (RB, hold button of receiver, then move him, then release button)

I also love using the right stick for passing on the perimeter (RB + right stick)

I fell back into old habits quickly the first game and then went into practice mode to get theese things down, still haven´t advanced past that phase yet :D

[Icy]

I have the PS3 version preordered (will be out tomorrow in Spain) but couldn't wait and got also the PC version.

If you have the computer to run it at full graphics, the PC version is really really amazing, with better graphics than consoles, specially with the AA filters etc. With the wired Xbox360 controller i have plugged in it plays really well, i'm even questioning myself if i should cancel my PS3 preorder... but on the other hand, past year the PC version got on patch like 5 months after release while the PS3 version got 2 or three earlier ones.

I started a myplayer as an athletic 6'11" 245lbs C and i'm finding it a bit easy on all star & sim sliders. I have been drafted by the Spurs 20 overall and i was the star of the team in the summer league (18ppg and 20rpg average) so it granted me an spot in the 15 men roster, in fact they have set me as #7 in the rotation 3with 12 minutes per game predicted.

The main issue i find is how easy is to get offensive rebounds (in the summer league at least, i have not faced top C yet) so every play was me setting up an screen or pick& roll for an easy basket or drawing a foul, or capturing offensive rebounds again for easy dunks or foul drown (too bad i'm like 35% FT). I think the athletic C player style is too overpowered, i have the speed of an SF.

I'm probably going to keep this myplayer for those days where i want to be an star, and will start another one with a pass first PG or 3pt specialist SG that i guess will be more realistic.

[whomario]

3 point specialist is a lot of fun (was last year at least) as you depend a lot on your teammates and your skillset kind of makes sure you don´t force the issue dominating the ball.
You really have to pick your spots and might think twice about hitting that hole that just opened up when the 2 trips prior you´ve been stripped once and blocked the other time :)

Last year i made a living catching the ball at the 3 point line, faking the 3 and then go in about 5-10 feet before hitting the mid range Jumper. Very rewarding.

I also just looked at a couple created draft classes : We´ll neeed to go in and lower the potential rating or you´ll have tons of stars in 3,4,5 seasons.
Also could do with a lower overall rating.

There shouldn´t be a rookie over 80, maybe ever. Jordan is slotted as a 79 as a rookie in the Jordan-my-player.
Development happens fast enough witht accelarating it, so if a mid first rounder on average is a high 60s player and the Top5 guys on average are 70-75, that´s fine enough. And Potential of course needs to be lower as well.

I´ll definitely do my own draft classes again, anybody want to join in ? Figure if we get 10 people to do a draft class (lower the ratings for most player, potential as well) everybody needs to only do 1 to get 10 years of solid association play and that way wouldn´t have to go on his own creations and "know" the players allready from editing them.

[whomario]

also, the "contact" tendencies (driving shot, inside shot) need to be waaaaaay lower or the contact shot ability way higher, otherwise you´ll have too many cheap shots missed due to marginal contact being exagerated.

[Groundhog]

OK, I think I have this thing worked out. I've been playing in "practice plays" mode and have made 2 "breakthroughs":

1) The Spurs playbook is really, really, good. Seriously. I've only used Warriors and Spurs though, but Spurs creates a lot of penetration plays for the PG, open shots for the SG and SF, and gets the PF the ball in good positions.

2) NEVER USE TURBO UNLESS YOU ARE WIDE OPEN WITH A PATH TO THE HOOP. Seriously, I have a habit that comes from years of sports gaming that as soon as I get the ball, I press the right trigger to race around screens/drive/etc. NCAA Football 2011 is the first game that has, thanks to the improved run blocking, forced me to slow down, and now NBA 2K11 is doing the same. When I get a screen set for me and tried to turbo my way around the screen, it's always messy. As soon as I started just using the left stick to move, wow, it's night and day. Same with my post plays. This might help some of you if you've been doing the same.

[whomario]

yeah, i love that this year you can really change speeds without even using turbo, by pressing the left stick harder or more softly towards a direction you determine the speed. I don´t know it it was there last year allready and i missed it, but it´s definitely very usefull this year.

It´s very realistic, too. Watch Steve nash work the Pick and Roll in real life and 95% of the time he won´t come close to "using turbo".

Playbooks : I really like the Thunder and Blazers Playbook.
Blazers is very versatile plus has a lot of plays not starting with the PG nescessarily but with Roy, good mix of quick power post plays and player movement as well.

[Groundhog]

I just played an amazing game, Warriors vs Bulls. Running with the Spurs playbook I was on fire early and Lee had 17 first half points, guys are getting good shots. I LOVE the tendancies, every time there is a break, Battier is camping in the corner for threes (I traded for him). I'm up 47-38. 2nd half is a complete different story. Bulls start locking down on me, I can't buy a basket, Rose is driving and scoring on me at will, and Lee has missed everything since the first half. The scores start to get close. It's more of the same in the 4th, and the Bulls have clawed back to be down 75-72 with 1:30 remaining. Boozer gets the ball in the post, and this happens (this is the first time I've created a highlight, so excuse the amateur camera switches :D ):

<object width="648" height="407">

<embed src="http://community.2ksports.com/community/includes/swf/Player.swf?videosrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.2ksports.com%2Fcommunity%2Fstorage%2Fmedia%2Fv%2Fl3%2Fl2616%2Fm2618017.flv&downloadsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.2ksports.com%2Fcommunity%2Fstorage%2Fmedia%2Fv%2Fl3%2Fl2616%2Fm2618017.flv" allowscriptaccess="always" width="648" height="407"></object>

[rjolley]

I'm thinking about picking up the PC version at some point, especially if I have to start traveling again. Does anyone know if it's moddable?

As for the 360 version, I played the Bulls-Lakers default game yesterday and the game played very well. Looking forward to diving into an association soon. I may add a past-era star to each team just to change it up. Magic and Kobe vs Rose and Jordan anyone?

[Neon_Chaos]

I'm thinking about picking up the PC version at some point, especially if I have to start traveling again. Does anyone know if it's moddable?

As for the 360 version, I played the Bulls-Lakers default game yesterday and the game played very well. Looking forward to diving into an association soon. I may add a past-era star to each team just to change it up. Magic and Kobe vs Rose and Jordan anyone?

2k10 was extremely moddable. I'm pretty sure 2k11 would be the same.

[Ajaxab]

Woah boy, yeah forgot to mention that. Man, it's waaaay harder than last year. In all the pre-draft combine and summer league games, I struggle to earn a C rating. I actually got a D once and LOST points. In 2K10 I rarely finished less than a B+ at any stage of my career.

I'm with everyone else struggling through My Player using the Pro and Default settings. It's the only mode I've tried so far. I haven't played a 2k basketball game since '05 on the old XBox so the controls are entirely new to me. It's definitely going to take a lot of practice.

I do wish that your My Player started with a 60+ overall rating instead of a 40. I created a 6'5" shooting guard and he struggles to make layups sometimes. It feels like he's got high school level talent. The only drill I have any chance of passing right now is the shooting drill. Everything else is an automatic fail.

All this being said, I did manage to get drafted in the 2nd round by the Knicks. Somehow, I did enough to make the team even though I never got anything higher than a B-. I guess it is the Knicks though. Through the first six games, I've struggled defensively in being matched up against the likes of Ray Allen, Brandon Roy, Evan Turner and Vince Carter. It's tough to succeed offensively too. I'm too slow to drive and too short to shoot over guys. My only scoring comes from the odd pick and roll with Amare when I get an open jump shot. Pick and rolls with Eddy Curry are just a disaster. The man is a statue.

I'm having fun playing, but my player's lack of skill and the challenging controls make for some frustration every now and then.

[cmgdodgers]

Didn't play last years version but I agree there is a steep learning curve. I got so frustrated yesterday that I turned my Xbox off mid-game. 10 minutes later I was playing again.

I spent some time in practice mode (freeplay?) to try to get better at the ISO moves. Not sure if it was in last years version, but when practicing there are certain spots on the floor for each player that they like to shoot from. Just roam around with each player in practice mode and find the area where you get a vibration and that is one of their hot spots. They don't make every one, but there it definatley increases thier percentage

[Neon_Chaos]

Didn't play last years version but I agree there is a steep learning curve. I got so frustrated yesterday that I turned my Xbox off mid-game. 10 minutes later I was playing again.

I spent some time in practice mode (freeplay?) to try to get better at the ISO moves. Not sure if it was in last years version, but when practicing there are certain spots on the floor for each player that they like to shoot from. Just roam around with each player in practice mode and find the area where you get a vibration and that is one of their hot spots. They don't make every one, but there it definatley increases thier percentage

It's been in there since 2K9, IIRC.

An easier way to check out their hotspots would be to go to the Player Edit, and check out their tendencies.

[Icy]

2k10 was extremely moddable. I'm pretty sure 2k11 would be the same.

In fact most of graphics mods from 2k10 also work in 2k11.

[Icy]

Btw, how much is it in Steam? it's not yet available in the EU shop plus it's always cheaper in $.

[bhlloy]

Last year weren't there serious downsides to buying the PC version (were any patches ever released for the PC version at all?)

The idea of having a moddable 2k11 is awesome, but I don't want to buy a watered down version of the game or a poor sister version that doesn't get patched or tuned at all.

[Icy]

Last year weren't there serious downsides to buying the PC version (were any patches ever released for the PC version at all?)

The idea of having a moddable 2k11 is awesome, but I don't want to buy a watered down version of the game or a poor sister version that doesn't get patched or tuned at all.

That was the issue with the PC version past year, the patch was released like 5 months after release, while consoles got 2 patches before that one.

Btw, for those wanting a fun and easy time in myplayer, start a myplayer mode with Jordan. I'm a rookie Jordan in the Raptors and in the first quarter of the first game, being a ball hog, i have scored 25 from the 30 points scored by my team :D

It will become boring fast, but it's fun to abuse teams that way to raise your ego and practice the iso moves as he can perform them all.

[rjolley]

Can you do MyPlayer with Jordan before beating the challenge?

[whomario]

I´d definitely recommend playing with a team first that has a very good perimeter scorer, if you are solely depending on plays and ball movement to score and create than the learning curve could be pretty frustrating i´d imagine, especially if you didn´t play 2K10 .

What i definitely did was turn down the CPUs tendency to play the passing lanes for now.

[Comey]

Btw, how much is it in Steam? it's not yet available in the EU shop plus it's always cheaper in $.

$29.99

I got it last night for my Sony Vaio Signature Z. Holy crap, it's beautiful.

[Icy]

Can you do MyPlayer with Jordan before beating the challenge?

No, but in pc there is already a hack to do it.

[whomario]

@ groundhog : Did you change Curry´s sig shot(s) yet ? He doesn´t have a unique one this year and they assigned him Redicks shot, went looking after the first game when after the first shot i was like "what was that ?" ... Changed it to Azubuike now which looks better.

[Scoobz0202]

Can you do MyPlayer with Jordan before beating the challenge?

I wish. These challenges are hard as fuck lol.

I enjoy them, but I do wish I could just do the Myplayer with Jordan from the get go.

[Atocep]

Started a new My Player with a scoring Small Forward and after a bumpy first game at the combine I got things together. I began moving better without the ball which got me some open looks, setting some screens, and played some really solid defense on Aminu that landed me an A- rating.

I ended up being taken with the last pick in the 1st round by the Wizards. Now I'm off to the summer league.

[Groundhog]

@ groundhog : Did you change Curry´s sig shot(s) yet ? He doesn´t have a unique one this year and they assigned him Redicks shot, went looking after the first game when after the first shot i was like "what was that ?" ... Changed it to Azubuike now which looks better.

I haven't changed it but I agree it looks wierd. I'll take a look at that tonight. I love his signature gather move, perfect for the step-back three.

[whomario]

I´m really struggling running the Pick and Roll. Not scoring out of it but passing out of it, just now had like 8 TOs with Curry while scoring 32 ...

[Groundhog]

I´m really struggling running the Pick and Roll. Not scoring out of it but passing out of it, just now had like 8 TOs with Curry while scoring 32 ...

Yeah, it's harder to whip the ball inside in traffic now. There is a play in the Spurs play book where basically the SG/SF/C stand on one side, the PF comes from the opposite side to set a high screen, and then rolls to the basket. It's perfect because of the space created by stacking the other 3 players, and if a defender comes over to take the cutting PF, it creates an open shot for the SG, SF, or C.

[Groundhog]

Another great thing about this year's playbooks is that, if you set the offensive playcalling to automatic, the plays called are weighted towards your best players. If anything, they are weighted a little too heavily, as basically every play was run for David Lee, but this also helps explain why most of the time the CPU teams are looking for shots with their stars, too.

[SnowMan]

I don't ever see any plays called. I have it on automatic and with the prompts enabled...but I never see it.

[Groundhog]

I don't ever see any plays called. I have it on automatic and with the prompts enabled...but I never see it.

Definitely something up, because I do. I have it on automatic, play diagrams set to "simple" (or whatever it's called, not the complete diagrams), and set to announce all called plays. Works a treat. What system you using?

[RainMaker]

Have you guys noticed that when simulating, home court advantage is huge. Road teams rarely ever win.

[Scoobz0202]

Man. I am terrible at offense. I mean, god awful. I even make Durant look awful with a FG% of 30% in the three games I've played with him.

[SnowMan]

Definitely something up, because I do. I have it on automatic, play diagrams set to "simple" (or whatever it's called, not the complete diagrams), and set to announce all called plays. Works a treat. What system you using?

On the 360. Maybe I have to stand still for a few seconds? I'm usually moving quite a bit trying to make something happen.

[Desnudo]

Woah boy, yeah forgot to mention that. Man, it's waaaay harder than last year. In all the pre-draft combine and summer league games, I struggle to earn a C rating. I actually got a D once and LOST points. In 2K10 I rarely finished less than a B+ at any stage of my career.

Set picks over and over

[Groundhog]

Man. I am terrible at offense. I mean, god awful. I even make Durant look awful with a FG% of 30% in the three games I've played with him.

As I said on the last page, my best advice would be to run plays and don't use the turbo button. My playing took a big leap forward after that.

[Groundhog]

On the 360. Maybe I have to stand still for a few seconds? I'm usually moving quite a bit trying to make something happen.

I usually get the ball and stop with the PG above the three point line, but it doesn't take long (in most cases) for the play to get called. After a rebound I try and race up court, but if nothing is happening I kick it back out to the PG at the top of the key and a play generally is selected straight away. I'm on PS3, but I imagine it should be the same.

[Icy]

Have you guys noticed that when simulating, home court advantage is huge. Road teams rarely ever win.

Yes and has been reported as bug at OS forums. The playoffs usually end after 7 games and usually the team with the home advantage in that last game is who wins the series.

[RainMaker]

The other thing bothering me is how horrible passing is in the game. The animations are just too slow and the defenders all jump on passes like top NFL cornerbacks. You can hardly run a pick and roll or anything that leads a player toward the hoop. Leads to more of a jump shooting and 1-on-1 iso game than a team basketball game.

I'm not sure if sliders can fix that, but it seems the animations need to be trimmed down a lot. For instance, you have a 3-on-1 break. You have guys on both sides. You make the pass to the guy on the left. In that time the animation takes place, the defender is capable of making a 360 turn with his body and make 2-3 steps in the path of the pass.

Also always felt there were far too many overhead passes in 2K games. It's just not a common pass in basketball. The animation is slow as the player needs to come to a complete stop to make it. In fact, few passes allow the player to continue moving as he makes the dish. Would love to see that get fixed next year but this game has hit new levels of fanboyism that I'm think 2K won't even bother.

[Neon_Chaos]

The other thing bothering me is how horrible passing is in the game. The animations are just too slow and the defenders all jump on passes like top NFL cornerbacks. You can hardly run a pick and roll or anything that leads a player toward the hoop. Leads to more of a jump shooting and 1-on-1 iso game than a team basketball game.

I'm not sure if sliders can fix that, but it seems the animations need to be trimmed down a lot. For instance, you have a 3-on-1 break. You have guys on both sides. You make the pass to the guy on the left. In that time the animation takes place, the defender is capable of making a 360 turn with his body and make 2-3 steps in the path of the pass.

Also always felt there were far too many overhead passes in 2K games. It's just not a common pass in basketball. The animation is slow as the player needs to come to a complete stop to make it. In fact, few passes allow the player to continue moving as he makes the dish. Would love to see that get fixed next year but this game has hit new levels of fanboyism that I'm think 2K won't even bother.

How is it compared to 2k10?

[Scoobz0202]

As I said on the last page, my best advice would be to run plays and don't use the turbo button. My playing took a big leap forward after that.

I run plays pretty much every time I go down the court. I have switched back and forth from shot stick and true %. I'm sure it's my fault, but damn it's frustrating.

[whomario]

Has anyone got any advice how to install an offense similar to what teams like the Lakers (Gasol), Spurs (Duncan), Rockets (Yao) or now the Timberwolves (Darko, Love) do, i.e. having the Center controll the ball in the High Post and create movement around him ?
Any plays that do that ?

So far my best bet is sending one player on a cut (LB, player symbol, right stick direction) or take controll of one player via Total Controll Passing (tip RB, then hold the receiver button of the player yu want to controll and move him), the problem with the latte is that you can´t not pass the ball.

I can also player lock onto a player and make him cut, but then 9/10 times the big guy will shoot or pass the ball elsewhere.

Any pointers or ideas ?

There should be a quick play called "cutters" where (similar to screeners) relative to the ballhandlers position players would cut to the basket and make themselves available...

[RainMaker]

How is it compared to 2k10?
Depends on what you're looking for. The plays are much better and the offenses and defenses look good. Passing is atrocious though and there are some major issues with rebounding (although I had read they are fixing them).

Association Mode is broken though so if that's what you intend to play with, I'd pass. My Player is much better though than last years version.

It's hit or miss depending on what you're looking for. I'm hoping after a patch or two that it will be superior.

[Scoobz0202]

I just loaded the game back up and it says I haven't completed any of the Jordan challenges. I completed four last night and I know I was connected to Live cause I saw friends get online and off... God damn it.

[bhlloy]

What is broken with association mode?

[Scoobz0202]

I've read on the OS forums that trading a few years down the road is messed up. Trades just do not happen later on. 80+ OVR players just sit on the free agency for seasons. The big one, though, is that if a player has a lengthy injury the CPU changes his role. As a result a players morale goes down and then demands a trade

[SnowMan]

I"m so horrible at this game. The controls feel sluggish to me, so my timing on jump shots is horrible. Can you even make it CPU controlled in MyPlayer mode? My player (and me too) is so bad I can't even get bronze on the drills...which means no more points to spend except for the games. Yeesh my rookie year is gonna suck!

[Icy]

Here are the main issues from OS and official 2k forums:

- Rookies potentials are too high, so after a couple of seasons, most of teams are based on those cheap and high overall draftees, so the veteran stars sit in FA and barely any trades are done between teams. Easy to fix if you take 15 minutes to edit each draft class before the draft, to lower the potentials of the top guys or if you import already made draft classes. This is a very low issue imho and it's proven to work with edited draft classes.

- When a player is injured, he gets mad about lack of playing time, his morale goes down, demands a trade and it affects the whole team chemistry. To avoid it right now, you need to disable chemistry.

- On simmed games, there is a huge home court advantage, so the home team usually wins by big margins, and it's specially noticeable in playoffs, that usually go until the 7th game that ends winning the team with the home advantage. Not a huge issue but could bother some guys who want realistic playoffs and seeds.

[samifan24]

None of the above sound like deal breakers to me. I haven't owned an NBA game since 2K5 for the original Xbox. I was going to pick this one up after awhile as long as I didn't hear about any deal breaker bugs. The above all sound pretty fixable with a patch to me, no?

[rjolley]

I thought they specifically mentioned fixing the issue with injured players in one of the Insights. Hopefully, it's an easy fix, but disappointing if they did target it as fixed and it's still in there.

[Scoobz0202]

I thought they specifically mentioned fixing the issue with injured players in one of the Insights. Hopefully, it's an easy fix, but disappointing if they did target it as fixed and it's still in there.

I thought I read in the forum it isn't a minutes issue, but a "role" issue. You could manually adjust every players role back to its normal one but that requires more work I am willing to put into my association.

[TroyF]

After tons of practice games, I started a career with My Player. I created a scoring SF. In my three games I hit on 8 of the 9 challenges set forth. My averages are:

32 ppg
50% shooting
33% from three point line
15 rebounds
6 assists (had a triple double in my second game)
Teammate grade: A+ (set lots of picks for this to rise quickly. When you get to A+, nothing you do will drop your grade down)


I haven't run the draft yet. It has me projected 10th to the Pacers. My stock is soaring.

I hit gold on shot defending and shooting drills. I was a disaster at going to the hoop, dribbling, rebounding and passing. (silver in one, bronze in the others)

[Scoobz0202]

Damn man. I think I average 10 PPG, 20% shooting, 3 rebounds, and one assist a game. With a scoring SF.

My guy is like a 42 OVR lol

[TroyF]

Damn man. I think I average 10 PPG, 20% shooting, 3 rebounds, and one assist a game. With a scoring SF.

My guy is like a 42 OVR lol


I'm rated a 46 now after all three games.

Some things I'm doing, not sure if it'll help or not, but here goes:

1) Cheat off of your man a tad and when a shot goes up, determine instantly if you can get the rebound or if you can leak out. If you can leak out, hit the turbo button and go. If there is a chance for the board, dive in.

2) On offense, spend heavily in medium and close shots. Don't spend a bunch of time with post ups. Set picks and role to open areas. When a shot goes up, it's the same as on D. Either go for the board or get back right away. (getting back right away will give you a bonus)

3) Practice shooting heavily. You want to be able to hit those short open jumpers when you get them. The outside shots are hard as hell early on.

[whomario]

I have started to get some things going with the Pick and Roll, what i´m doing now is hold on to the ball a tad bit longer that i´m used to from previous titles and more often than not just then a defender will commit and you can find the open man outside or find the screener for an easy basket.
Still think it´s not perfect and there should be an opportunity to go "Nash" and feed a guy 15 feet from the basket with a full head of steem every so often, but i can manage now :)

Now i´m trying to figure out how to get seperation and pull up for jumpers.

[whomario]

if anybody wants to take it a bit more easy and maybe have a more fluent game with more offense and less defense, i´ve uploaded my current slider set that (for me at least) does just that. I´m playing on All Star but see no reason why you couldn´t use them on Pro or Superstar.
Sim Sliders out of the box create a ridiculous amout of games in the 70s and 80s with 35% shooting and 15% from deep.
Main thing i did was raise the shooting ability, less contact shots, more fouls, toned down on ball defense and awareness and toned down quickness (which to my experience makes it easier for both me and the cpu to get by slower defenders)
Also raised the CPUs midrange and attack the basket tendencies.

Gamertag is Whomario as well.

EDIT : Just found a nice way to get your teammates to cut and move more : When a guy has the ball in the post, just call any (quick) play and you´ll have choice to make passes :)

[Gary Gorski]

Association Mode is broken though so if that's what you intend to play with, I'd pass. My Player is much better though than last years version.



Thank you 2k11!!!

In all seriousness I picked this up yesterday - tried playing on My Player and I guess I just flat out suck. I can never get higher than a C+ from my teammates and I've only ever actually gotten the bronze in one drill. Maybe I shouldn't have been a PG. I don't know how to call plays (can someone help me out there) and I wish it would give you more "teammate respect" for all proper decision making. For example I liked how it gave me a bonus for filling the proper lane on a fast break but yet no bonus for properly rotating over in the defense to help - instead I get crushed because the ball then rotates to my guy who nobody helps on and he scores.

Going to keep with it and really I only got it for the My Player...I'll keep my association play to DDSPB2 :) Looking forward to trying out some of the Jordan stuff too. I only wish that someone at 2k would see DDSPB2 and have the same thought I that I do...if they took my career mode with their beautiful gameplay and presentation I may never leave my XBOX :)

[Neon_Chaos]

Depends on what you're looking for. The plays are much better and the offenses and defenses look good. Passing is atrocious though and there are some major issues with rebounding (although I had read they are fixing them).

Association Mode is broken though so if that's what you intend to play with, I'd pass. My Player is much better though than last years version.

It's hit or miss depending on what you're looking for. I'm hoping after a patch or two that it will be superior.

Finally got the game for the PC yesterday.

The new controls are awesome. There are now a ridiculous amount of layups and dunks at your choosing in any given moment. The addition of the hop-step layups and dunks is ridiculously cool. The fake pass is a great addition as well.

I'm actually liking the passing. No more lazy passes to players who aren't even looking at you. One good way to learn how the passing game works is by playing MyPlayer. It really helps when you look at what kinds of passes are "Good" and "Bad". As soon as you get old passing habits out and use the passing system in 2k11, you get a better grasp of the flow of ball movement.

I also love the simulated momentum. If you just charge ahead, you're bound to simply lose control of your player or his momentum takes you to a spot further than you want him too. The game now rewards you by thinking two/three steps ahead.