By now you’ve hopefully watched the MyCAREER trailer and read about Spike Lee’s involvement in the process. But what happens after all that? Lee’s story starts at the beginning, but ends just as you make it to the NBA.

So we pick it up with the Off-Day Simulator, one the newest additions to NBA 2K16. You will have upwards of 80 off days during each season, which should give you ample time to still participate in random activities that relate to your MyCAREER.

You’ll be taken to the NEXT Menu, your UI hub between games where you decide what’s next. Time management plays a critical role in your MyCAREER, especially since you have full control of each decision made. The NEXT Menu will show what’s scheduled each day, from Endorsements, Connections and Live Practice. Each option will reward you with something new each time. Rewards can include pre-game rituals, Virtual Currency or even the option of jersey selection for games.

Endorsements

Similar as in the past, endorsements will couple your brand with an NBA sponsor to make money. Earn VC and other rewards such as billboards, commercials or your very own signature shoe.

Companies will offer you contracts that ask you to commit to a specific amount of off-days. Like an incentive-based contract, the more you do the greater you will receive. Pay attention, though, because as you improve sponsors will begin competing with each other for your services. Don’t overcommit.

Connections

Now you can build up relationships and friendships with other players, legends and personalities around the Association. Michael Jordan could take you golfing…who knows?

If you hang with Dwight Howard for a day, you can unlock th Expression Badge. Or you can choose to chill out and water ski with Blake Griffin to earn his pre-game rim hang routine. Again, the choice is yours.

Live Practice

Yeah, we ARE talking about practice.

Scott O’Gallagher, a NBA 2K developer who the knows the Xs and Os of basketball as good as any, went all out. Live 5-on-5 practice will net you new skills. There are even options to do single specific workouts to improve ratings. All of these are pulled straight from the minds of NBA organizations and personal experience.

There’s also a free shootaround period where you can explore the gym and interact with coaches and teammates.

MyCOURT

This could have been an article on its own. MyCOURT should be one of the greatest additions to NBA 2K16. This is your landing area for the mode, the place where you always come back to between games and story scenes. You can upgrade you player, check out stats and standings and watch NBA 2KTV (and story scenes over again).

MyCOURT is completely customizable, everything from the floors, walls, rims, backboards, nets, balls, lines, and so on can be modified, colored and upgraded. There is a display case to show off all of your awards and accomplishments.

You can also invite your friends to hang out and shoot around on your court while waiting to hit the Pro-Am courts together. Want to play a quick game of 5-on-5, do it. Only have four friends, how about a quick 2-on-2?

So in the end, you'll be going from a Spike Lee Joint to a mode with more control and customization. Here's to hoping all the additions mesh well together in the end.