The hop step button on the perimeter to create space was essentially replaced by the new Escape crossover and hesitation moves, and standing stepback. Strictly from an animation standpoint, the new escape crosses and hesis effectively do the same thing that the standing hop steps (1-step pullups) used to do but also keep your dribble live. It was a matter of redundancy.
The shot button doubles as a hop step button this year. If you're driving, keep the LS deflected (in any direction) and tap the Shot Button. These are all the same types of hops you could do in 2k13, including stepback hops. Hop Step layups can also be done on the Pro Stick by holding Turbo, and holding the Pro Stick left or right.
I'm working on bringing layup left/right control back.
If sprints seem delayed, it's usually because the dribbler needs to build up enough momentum before taking off. Otherwise, you get unrealistic speed bursts. Either that or I screwed something up.
The most explosive launches are off of sizeup moves. Try doing a quick hes or cross before driving. Many of the launches were slowed down a bit to help the onball defender stay in front of the ball handler. For much of the dev cycle, it was blowby city and not very fun for onball defenders.
It was a code conflict moreso than a design conflict. We may bring the functionality back. Although now I'm leaning toward making Pro Stick passes just be "normal" passes with flashy passes either being contextual or triggered by holding both triggers. Not sure about that one.