I just assumed since you've been coming to OS since 2003 that you would have known that 2k had online issues prior to this. I apologize. Next year I recommend you do not purchase this, or any other game, until you have been convinced that everything is 100% working properly. In case you were wondering: Most AAA games that have online components do not work 100% correctly at launch. I have also never seen a sports game that works online 100% correctly/smoothly at launch.
Hope they fix this for you and everyone so you can enjoy the game.