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NBA 2K16: Some Ideas On How to Improve the Series

NBA 2K15 was a good game. Very solid and still playable. In its first year operating with a full-year of a next-gen system, 2K delivered above expectations and provided glimmers of hope for what’s to come down the road.

That being said, it’s never too early to start looking at NBA 2K16.

When it comes to video games, of course there are those who will be left wanting more. It’s the nature of the beast. No one goes into a game’s release date thinking, "This is going to be the most perfect game ever." And if that’s true, then more power to you.

With that said, here are five things that could be done to improve the game next year and make it an all-around great experience, from both a playing and features standpoint.

Improve low-post defense

2K has tried to make this work in the past. It’s been better the last couple of years, but if you’re controlling the likes of Anthony Davis or DeAndre Jordan, more times than none you’ve been called for a foul going for a block.

There’s a large number of fouls being called on taller players who have the ability to block shots at the rim, especially on harder difficulties. It takes the fun out of having a Davis or Jordan because they could foul out in a matter of five minutes. 2K has made strides in making defense playable, but this is the next step. This isn’t to say players shouldn’t block shots every time someone attacks the rim, but there needs to be a balance.

Improve defensive rebounding

This goes hand-in-hand with the low-post defense, but it should not be so difficult to grab a defensive rebound.

For example: Last week, I witnessed a game where a friend played the Boston Celtics online against the Atlanta Hawks. There are people who would probably bet house money that Kelly Olynyk wouldn’t grab 12 offensive rebounds in a game against the likes of Paul Millsap and Al Horford, but who am I to tell you otherwise?

That did happen, and there were even moments Olynyk glitched inbetween the two and grabbed a rebound, followed with an and-1 putback. It’s unclear whether or not there’s a surefire way to fix this, but if so, it needs to be addressed.

Make MyTeam more affordable

MyTeam can be a ton of fun. But why in the world does it cost 8,000-9,000 VC to buy a pack with no guarantee of a great player?

2K did good by making an auction house, but that can get just as expensive if you don’t possess enough MT. The more packs you buy, the more likely you get a good player. But not everyone can afford to stay elite.

Make the packs go for 5,000 VC, and make it affordable for everyone. That’s how you appeal to the non-MyTeam audience and make it a more meaningful game mode.

Expand MyCareer

The story idea behind this year’s MyCareer was actually brilliant: an undrafted rookie who has to sign multiple 10-day contracts before getting a contract for the rest of the year. It was brilliant. But it can be better.

It appears Spike Lee might be having a hand in the MyCareer story in 2K16, and if that’s the case, it might be the best one yet. But there are features to be considered, like bringing back the Draft Combine or implement the NBA Summer League. There’s so much that can be done.

Chance to make presentation overhaul

With Steve Kerr now unavailable to do any color commentary ever again on 2K, this is the chance to do a complete overhaul on presentation.

It doesn’t need to be a drastic change by any means. The pregame show with Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal is fantastic. Even the pregame intros brought back the old days of NBA 2K3. But here’s a chance to implement more: Get Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith under contract and make it a TNT-based video game.

Kevin Harlan can still do the calls, or you can bring back Marv Albert from the NBA Live days. Or bring on both. And you can still have Clark Kellogg if you want. If EA Sports can go full-on ESPN with their presentation, why not up the ante and give TNT some love? They already have the best gameday coverage for the NBA out there.

This is a long shot, but it would be fantastic appeal.

And just for fun...

Fix the sliders

I mean, you can’t get everything you want. But this is still a dire need


NBA 2K16 Videos
Member Comments
# 121 MrWrestling3 @ 05/18/15 10:22 PM
I'd kind of like it if the start of my carreer went back to the 2k11 way where you played a few combine type games,showcase game, got drafted, then played in the summer league for a few games...imo it kind of eased the pain of starting out by letting you get a little bump to your stats before you went to the nba.
 
# 122 xCeeTee @ 05/19/15 08:40 AM
One thing I've always wanted to see in NBA is the NCAA rights. How great would it be if you could start off in college and then make it to the pros? I'd love that muuuch much more! They need a few different backstories (at least 3) for MyCareer.

And one thing I HAVE to see in next year's game, or I won't be getting it is year-to-year saves. I play 48 min quarters to get realistic stats on MyCareer, so I don't have the time to ever complete a career, so I want to be able to take it over to the next game and carry it on there like on MLB 15 the Show.
 
# 123 hjinb @ 05/20/15 01:07 AM
I'd like a polished game right out of the box. Too few three point shots and fouls on day one are basics that should be givens by now. The mid-year change to open versus covered shots messed up a
 
# 124 tril @ 05/20/15 12:56 PM
Id like them to add the cycle cameras that they had in CH2k8.
 
# 125 jinku @ 05/20/15 01:38 PM
How could I forget this one, Way more Defensive control in the Park for MyPlayer.
 
# 126 flo182 @ 05/20/15 02:28 PM
Fix the whole passing system, it sucks!
 
# 127 Caelumfang @ 05/20/15 08:41 PM
Here's a ****ing idea: Put intentional fouls back to double-tapping square, or ANYTHING that doesn't involve HOLDING a button, because our MyPlayers are too stupid to react to button holding.
 
# 128 hunilnv @ 05/21/15 01:48 AM
I really wish the career mode would go the route of year to year saves like MLB The Show. Probably might stay with 2k15 a year or two because I actually want to ho through a career. Still depends on 2k16's quality and whether it's worth starting over.
 
# 129 jinjun @ 05/21/15 10:16 PM
I really wish the career mode would go the route of year to year saves like MLB The Show. Probably might stay with 2k15 a year or two because I actually want to ho through a career. Still depends on 2k16's quality and whether it's worth starting over.
 
# 130 videlsports @ 05/23/15 02:04 PM
As far as low post defense , I like the fouls called because online people grab the rim protector and just jump into you and it was an instant turnover which was corny. Bad defensive players get off the hook alot without fouls
 
# 131 hesko @ 05/23/15 04:10 PM
a fun and balanced simulation of real life professional basketball with no gimmicks.
 
# 132 reptilexcq @ 05/23/15 10:37 PM
3 Things I want in 2k16:

1. Butter smooth online gaming in particular 1-on-1 rank
2. A total revamped of the game engine. C'mon this is getting old. More user control please.
3. Oh did i mentioned ........lag free butter smooth online gaming please.
 
# 133 cima @ 05/23/15 10:39 PM
Bring back old roster management. It's a pain in the *** to edit rosters now. The old system was perfect
 
# 134 rinngjj @ 05/24/15 01:18 PM
I really wish the career mode would go the route of year to year saves like MLB The Show. Probably might stay with 2k15 a year or two because I actually want to ho through a career. Still depends on 2k16's quality and whether it's worth starting over.
 
# 135 bkrich83 @ 05/24/15 02:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jagswag21
NBA 2K15 was a HORRIBLE game. It is a horrible game because:First of all, wassup wit the dumb coverage in this game? Let somebody try pass the ball all IN coverage, and it doesn't get picked off and thr player you playin against gets an easy score because of it
You got ball handlers running right through defenders, a center could go up for a fast break dunk and a fast point guard comes from behind and when the center's hands are already up for the dunk, the PG strips him with no foul called (just happened to me yesterday)... You got players missing an inside layup JUST because a defender simply raises their hand and the offensive player's standing layup rating is low, you got players engaging in the obvious pushing animation during inside layup attempts and there's no foul, KEVIN DURANT, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving MAKE EVERYTHING online. Yall make it SO Hard for players to block a layup, but players can block dunks all day long with NO fouls called. You still got players actin like they don't know how to make a wide open pass, but anybody could throw and easily complete a long pass with defenders all over the receiver. People in online quick matches LOVE playing off ball defense so they play off-ball and just spam the square/X button all day long, and 2K took off the intentional fouls from 2k14; that was 2K's smartest idea!! (to force players to intentional foul after 3 presses of the square/X button). Why would they take that off!? I could play My player, online OR offline, I time a pass and somehow he misses, but he has interceptor gold, and let somebody tip a pass, the ball will end up behind them out of bounds or something; how is this stuff happening? 2k14 wasn't like this! WHY is it that in ONLINE quick matches 2K feels the need to STOP THE GAME TO SHOW SOME STATS THAT I REALLY DON'T FRICKING CARE ABOUT????????? Tryna be realistic sooooooo bad!!!! Just STOP!!!!!

Inbound passes; Yes INBOUND PASSES: WHY DOES 2K FEEL THE NEED TO MAKE SOMEBODY PASS THE BALL AAAAALLLL THE WAY UP THE COURT JUST SO SOMEBODY ELSE CAN SIMPLY INBOUND A BALL!!!!
AND WHY THE HELL CAN'T POINT GUARDS INBOUND THE BALL AND SIMPLY GET IT BACK LIKE IN REAL LIFE!!!??? Somebody get dunked on, they on the floor, now the PG picks up the ball and has to wait a year and a day JUST so that his teammate, who Just got dunked on, can inbound the ball. WHY CANT THE POINT GUARD DO IT AND INBOUND TO SOMEBODY ELSE TILL HIS TEAMMATE GET HIMSELF TOGETHER!!!???!?!?

For God Sakes!!: You need a SHOE ENDORSEMENT IN ORDER TO WEAR A PAIR OF SHOES. I get the Adidas Sponsorship, but I still can’t wear Adidas, so I'm still wearing 2K generic shoes. 2k so "realistic" right? SO why can’t I simply wear a pair of shoes I want if this game so "realistic"? At least let us BUY shoes with our coins, then get the rest of whatever shoe brand we bought for FREE after we get the endorsement!!
In my player, why tf does LeBron or Kevin Durant get a break in the beginning of the 4th quarter, but my myplayer doesn't!???? My myplayer is from a LOW RANKED MEAC university, I don't care WHAT his overall, ppg he averages, I DON'T CARE. There is no excuse for him NOT to get rest before the most crucial part of the game!!!



Park is stupid and it needs to be taken off. First of all: Why does everybody start off in a BROWN OUTFIT. 2K wanna be 'soooo realistic', who the hell is gonna show up to hoop in an ALL BROWN OUTFIT!?!?
I can press "got next" and he either finally responds after like 5 minutes, or he doesn't respond at all and somebody get in the spot that I JUST told my my player to get into. Park and JRC is just so laggy!! I don’t understand why 2K can’t just go back to matchmaking like 2K11, except just be able to simply be able to jump into a matchmaking or invite your friends to a 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 online blacktop game, it’s that SIMPLE!! Bet you wouldn't have all these issues! Don't nobody got time to be waiting for a game to be over and getting a crew together just to play "Jordan Rec Center". THIS IS A VIDEOGAME, NOBODY HAS TIME FOR ALL THAT!! People just wanna simply take their my player, and simply get into a game!!!
AND STOP lettin people create all around 99 overall 7'3 my players; that sh!t is unrealistic. Shouldn't nobody be 90+ overall because if any of us was really 90+ overall, we'd be in the NBA no wouldn't we?
Stop makin it so easy to shoot on Jordan Rec Center and Park. Stop lettin so many shot go in despite great defense. Whats the point of playing defense if he just keeps making shots anyfrickenway! And dont give me that 'because it can happen in real life' bullsh!t, no, take it OFF.

YEAH I'm angry, NO Im not happy. This game is GARBAGE and them comments above me don't sound productive. Ay 2K, go fix this sorry excuse for a videogame.
I am not sure what's happening here.
 
# 136 RATCHET @ 05/24/15 06:25 PM
MYCAREER:
No scripts! - I hate having to follow the same as everyone else. I want my own unique path.
D League - We should be able to get sent down if the team doesn't need us. We can develop our game down there.
Draft - I want to be able to get drafted in the first, second or go undrafted. It should be determined on how we perform.

We should do a three game showcase to show off our skills or the lack of skills. After that, we should get interviewed by various teams, and not just the same ones each and every time we start a new career.

If we do go un-drafted. We should be able to try out for ALL teams, not just a select few.

Create a Shot - We should be able to customize the shot we want to use.
 
# 137 LO6IX @ 05/24/15 07:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jagswag21
NBA 2K15 was a HORRIBLE game. It is a horrible game because:First of all, wassup wit the dumb coverage in this game? Let somebody try pass the ball all IN coverage, and it doesn't get picked off and thr player you playin against gets an easy score because of it
You got ball handlers running right through defenders, a center could go up for a fast break dunk and a fast point guard comes from behind and when the center's hands are already up for the dunk, the PG strips him with no foul called (just happened to me yesterday)... You got players missing an inside layup JUST because a defender simply raises their hand and the offensive player's standing layup rating is low, you got players engaging in the obvious pushing animation during inside layup attempts and there's no foul, KEVIN DURANT, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving MAKE EVERYTHING online. Yall make it SO Hard for players to block a layup, but players can block dunks all day long with NO fouls called. You still got players actin like they don't know how to make a wide open pass, but anybody could throw and easily complete a long pass with defenders all over the receiver. People in online quick matches LOVE playing off ball defense so they play off-ball and just spam the square/X button all day long, and 2K took off the intentional fouls from 2k14; that was 2K's smartest idea!! (to force players to intentional foul after 3 presses of the square/X button). Why would they take that off!? I could play My player, online OR offline, I time a pass and somehow he misses, but he has interceptor gold, and let somebody tip a pass, the ball will end up behind them out of bounds or something; how is this stuff happening? 2k14 wasn't like this! WHY is it that in ONLINE quick matches 2K feels the need to STOP THE GAME TO SHOW SOME STATS THAT I REALLY DON'T FRICKING CARE ABOUT????????? Tryna be realistic sooooooo bad!!!! Just STOP!!!!!

Inbound passes; Yes INBOUND PASSES: WHY DOES 2K FEEL THE NEED TO MAKE SOMEBODY PASS THE BALL AAAAALLLL THE WAY UP THE COURT JUST SO SOMEBODY ELSE CAN SIMPLY INBOUND A BALL!!!!
AND WHY THE HELL CAN'T POINT GUARDS INBOUND THE BALL AND SIMPLY GET IT BACK LIKE IN REAL LIFE!!!??? Somebody get dunked on, they on the floor, now the PG picks up the ball and has to wait a year and a day JUST so that his teammate, who Just got dunked on, can inbound the ball. WHY CANT THE POINT GUARD DO IT AND INBOUND TO SOMEBODY ELSE TILL HIS TEAMMATE GET HIMSELF TOGETHER!!!???!?!?

For God Sakes!!: You need a SHOE ENDORSEMENT IN ORDER TO WEAR A PAIR OF SHOES. I get the Adidas Sponsorship, but I still can’t wear Adidas, so I'm still wearing 2K generic shoes. 2k so "realistic" right? SO why can’t I simply wear a pair of shoes I want if this game so "realistic"? At least let us BUY shoes with our coins, then get the rest of whatever shoe brand we bought for FREE after we get the endorsement!!
In my player, why tf does LeBron or Kevin Durant get a break in the beginning of the 4th quarter, but my myplayer doesn't!???? My myplayer is from a LOW RANKED MEAC university, I don't care WHAT his overall, ppg he averages, I DON'T CARE. There is no excuse for him NOT to get rest before the most crucial part of the game!!!



Park is stupid and it needs to be taken off. First of all: Why does everybody start off in a BROWN OUTFIT. 2K wanna be 'soooo realistic', who the hell is gonna show up to hoop in an ALL BROWN OUTFIT!?!?
I can press "got next" and he either finally responds after like 5 minutes, or he doesn't respond at all and somebody get in the spot that I JUST told my my player to get into. Park and JRC is just so laggy!! I don’t understand why 2K can’t just go back to matchmaking like 2K11, except just be able to simply be able to jump into a matchmaking or invite your friends to a 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 online blacktop game, it’s that SIMPLE!! Bet you wouldn't have all these issues! Don't nobody got time to be waiting for a game to be over and getting a crew together just to play "Jordan Rec Center". THIS IS A VIDEOGAME, NOBODY HAS TIME FOR ALL THAT!! People just wanna simply take their my player, and simply get into a game!!!
AND STOP lettin people create all around 99 overall 7'3 my players; that sh!t is unrealistic. Shouldn't nobody be 90+ overall because if any of us was really 90+ overall, we'd be in the NBA no wouldn't we?
Stop makin it so easy to shoot on Jordan Rec Center and Park. Stop lettin so many shot go in despite great defense. Whats the point of playing defense if he just keeps making shots anyfrickenway! And dont give me that 'because it can happen in real life' bullsh!t, no, take it OFF.

YEAH I'm angry, NO Im not happy. This game is GARBAGE and them comments above me don't sound productive. Ay 2K, go fix this sorry excuse for a videogame.
You forgot the turnovers from bounce passes when you didn't even press the bounce pass button.

Getting matched up with 7 Foot Small Fowards with maxed out length and the game penalizing you for them out rebounding you.

Passing to the paint being an automatic turnover even when the lane is open. Lobs to big men getting swatted by 5'11 guards

The Zig Zagging

CPU being so dumb that they start double teaming you in the halfcourt even if all your points are on fast breaks and the double teams being an automatic jump ball

The game taking forever to manually intentionally foul, then when they finally foul they do it while your opponent is shooting a 3 and gives them a 4 point play
 
# 138 LO6IX @ 05/24/15 07:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by RATCHET
MYCAREER:
No scripts! - I hate having to follow the same as everyone else. I want my own unique path.
D League - We should be able to get sent down if the team doesn't need us. We can develop our game down there.
Draft - I want to be able to get drafted in the first, second or go undrafted. It should be determined on how we perform.

We should do a three game showcase to show off our skills or the lack of skills. After that, we should get interviewed by various teams, and not just the same ones each and every time we start a new career.

If we do go un-drafted. We should be able to try out for ALL teams, not just a select few.

Create a Shot - We should be able to customize the shot we want to use.
We need Summer League and Draft Combine too. Remember in 2k11 when you were a PG the 2k Insider would tell you that you're matched up with John Wall and Evan Turner at the Draft Combine and he would tell you to force him to shoot jumpers and they would give you objectives so you could make the team? They need something like that and they also need to let you scrimmage with your team and do drills manually instead of it happening randomly. And we should be in the starting lineup right away when we are drafted in the top 5.
 
# 139 runjoeva @ 05/24/15 09:21 PM
Be able to have playoff section of game like in the last generation where you have complete control of the teams seeding.
 
# 140 jinkjn @ 05/25/15 02:39 AM
Rebounding can use a few tweaks. It's still far better than the disastrous 2K14 but there's still too many instances where offensive players grab rebounds they have no business getting or players will just stare at the ball and not make any attempt to grab it.
 


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