NBA 2K16: Pro-Am is Here, And It Was Worth the Wait

Feature Article

Submitted on: 10/14/2015 by Dustin Toms

At long last, NBA 2K16's highly anticipated Pro-Am Mode was made available yesterday thanks to the game's latest patch. And I must say, it was worth the wait.

For those unaware, Pro-Am was completely broken when 2K16 launched on September 25. Players were unable to join a game and try out the mode. In addition, players on the east and west coast could not join each other's games. Operation Sports knocked the game's final review score down a notch due to the issue.

Pro-Am is the true 5-on-5 basketball simulation experience. It's not just NBA 2K, it's a virtual game of legitimate hoops. Defense is key as a simple breakdown will lead to an easy score for the opposing team. Mistakes quickly add up if you're not paying attention, so keep your eyes on the details. Your primary focus needs to be on your assignment, only paying total attention to the ball when it's right next to you. Wandering eyes lead to quick cuts towards the hoop.

Offense is going to be a work in progress for each team as running sets and motion will come with practice and time. It'd be nice if you could call/run a 2K play where the directions would appear for each player, but in Pro-Am, that's not the case. Communication becomes key, and reputations will help teach you each player's tendencies (assuming you stick with the same core team).

Team building should be well thought out. Running on a team with a 6-foot-7 forward at the five spot is problematic for obvious reasons. My team (which featured Steve, Chase, ExtremeGamer and Millennium -- all-stars I say!) ended up swapping out one of our highest-rated players to bring in his 57 overall power forward. He ended up "towering" over the rest of us at 6-foot-11.

A few other items to points out, When our team needed a fifth, we were given 70-rated point each time. The CPU player was not awful, but it's a definite advantage for the opposing squad. Also, if a player fouls out he will be replaced by a CPU player.

After playing four games, I'm itching to get back to more. It's truly practice makes perfect. If the Pro-Am mode was hypothetically in its second year and had failed to work at launch like it did this year, the uproar from the community would have been unbelievable -- it has that much potential.

If you thought juggling the depth and modes in NBA 2K16 was already a challenge, well sorry but things just got even tougher to manage.

Member Comments

# 21 sschevyridah @ 10/14/15 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OG_Almighty


	I was able to play Pro-Am last night after being locked out for 2 weeks like everyone else. For the most part, I'm extremely happy. I'm playing as a walk-on right now since my crew is more concerned with My Park right now. I was able to get into games super smooth and quick. My walk on crew went on a quick 3 game win streak to my amazement. When the game was over, some of our teammates logged out and were promptly replaced with new users quite swiftly as we waiting on the court for them. As soon as I create a crew, I can't wait to try out the custom stadiums. Pro-Am is here! P.S. Does anybody know what the game speed and difficulty for Pro-Am is set at? I play on 50 speed in My Career but Pro-Am seems significantly slower. Is this lag or nah?

It did feel a tad slower. Players within my crew also noticed their ratings dropped several points within Pro-Am. I played about 7 games last night with my team and one of those games we actually played LD2K and we also played about 4 games as walk ons. Then we went back to the park and played about 3 games. The two modes( Pro-Am/MyPark) are different from each other and I enjoy that aspect.

# 22 Jhawkfootball06 @ 10/14/15 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FantasyGuy10


	You are missing the point. Right now there's no way to play 5 vs. 5 with your friends for Rep. They could easily have implemented it in Pro-Am. If your squad is all from the same affiliation, then you gain some sort of Rep for repping that affiliation in a Pro-Am game. It's really that simple. A simple search shows that this is a wanted thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschevyridah


	But Pro-Am is a different mode and has nothing to do with MyPark. Not sure why rep is even being mentioned in the same sentence with Pro-Am. I get that people want to play 5v5 for rep but that isn't a Pro-Am issue that's a MyPark issue. I actually like 4v4 or 3v3 within MyPark.

It's being brought up as this is the only mode out there that allows you to play 5 vs. 5 with your friends.

I like 4v4 or 3v3 in MyPark don't get me wrong. It's basically the same as last year. But it certainly doesn't have that feel that you'd get last year at the Rec, playing 5 minute quarters, 5v5 with your friends for rep.

The demand is out there clearly.

2K took out two things in MyPark from last year, Rec and High Rollers at The Stage. Why they thought it was a great idea to take out things from last year is unknown.

# 23 ProfessaPackMan @ 10/14/15 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The 24th Letter


	Man, this mode is ridiculously fun. I love that there's legitimate defense in the mode...it forces guys to give up the ball... Got into 4 walk on games with my longest wait being 3 minutes. Now all I need is a squad!

You already know bruh

# 24 Saviour @ 10/14/15 01:25 PM

I really need my Xbox One patch now. This is why people were so angry that this feature didnt work on day one. Too much promise and too much promotion to be broken on day one. I cant wait to get on the court and destroy folks in the 5 vs 5 again.

# 25 thisisasticup @ 10/14/15 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FantasyGuy10


	I was literally so hyped for this mode. But with the exclusion of gaining any sort of rep, it's like what's the point? Who over at 2K thought this was a good decision?

what do you need rep for? this isnt the park, where you are rewarded for playing ignorantly and flashy. Its a pro-am not And-1 mixtape mode.

# 26 sschevyridah @ 10/14/15 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FantasyGuy10


	It's being brought up as this is the *only* mode out there that allows you to play 5 vs. 5 with your friends. I like 4v4 or 3v3 in MyPark don't get me wrong. It's basically the same as last year. But it certainly doesn't have that feel that you'd get last year at the Rec, playing 5 minute quarters, 5v5 with your friends for rep. The demand is out there clearly. 2K took out two things in MyPark from last year, Rec and High Rollers at The Stage. Why they thought it was a great idea to *take out* things from last year is unknown.

I played about 4 games of MyPark last year but I get your point of having 5v5. I didn't even bother with the Rec Center. What's the point of having Rep though? Just for the simple thought of gaining something for playing?

# 27 Jhawkfootball06 @ 10/14/15 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschevyridah


	But Pro-Am is a different mode and has nothing to do with MyPark. Not sure why rep is even being mentioned in the same sentence with Pro-Am. I get that people want to play 5v5 for rep but that isn't a Pro-Am issue that's a MyPark issue. I actually like 4v4 or 3v3 within MyPark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisasticup


	what do you need rep for? this isnt the park, where you are rewarded for playing ignorantly and flashy. Its a pro-am not And-1 mixtape mode.

Pro-Am 5 vs. 5 plays exactly how the Rec played last year (The Walk-On courts is literally the Rec Center redesigned). Nobody is saying they want it to play like it does in MyPark.

# 28 rtracy12 @ 10/14/15 01:36 PM

is this mode supposed to give VC because I haven't gotten any. I'm really disappointed that myLeague online doesn't give VC either. I feel punished for trying to play with my friends.

# 29 jgarrett @ 10/14/15 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschevyridah


	Are you looking for a squad? Really looking for a PF that plays smart on PS4. We have 4 players. 2 of the 4 are on almost every night the other 2 are on maybe every other night depending on their schedules.

Yes, I would love to be on a squad. I am on PS4. My player right now is a PG, but I can change to a PF.

# 30 bestout51683 @ 10/14/15 01:56 PM

GT: BestOut51683 (XBOX One)

Must have a mic

Hello all.

I am looking to start a Rivet City Rough Riders squad and also have that squad be a Pro-Am team as well.

I play as a PG but will make a big as well and I am basically looking for all positions.

Also, I have been apart of a team-up league that has been really successful and if squad members would like to join this league, we can do that.

Of course I only want active members who are loyal and don't run when things get tough.

Hit me up ASAP through my GT and we can go from there.

# 31 twebb5896 @ 10/14/15 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tunechid


	I'm glad it doesn't give you rep leave the arcade players at the park

PREACH PREACH PREACH

# 32 MontanaMan @ 10/14/15 03:24 PM

Not a fan of the seemingly nerfed version of our players (I'm 92 overall, why am I 85?).

I also don't feel in control of my player at all.

The cpu teammates are horrible, which is by design I guess, but they shouldn't be ignoring me when I tell them to pass.

# 33 jotterio @ 10/14/15 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontanaMan


	Not a fan of the seemingly nerfed version of our players (I'm 92 overall, why am I 85?). I also don't feel in control of my player at all. The cpu teammates are horrible, which is by design I guess, but they shouldn't be ignoring me when I tell them to pass.

I was wondering the same.... if this is a glitch or not. I'm a 99 overall, and 93 overall when I load up on Pro-AM....

I've grinded to get 50+ badges, wondering if these badges are working or nerfed at Pro AM...

Is there a way to test this out?

# 34 DakkoN @ 10/14/15 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotterio


	I was wondering the same.... if this is a glitch or not. I'm a 99 overall, and 93 overall when I load up on Pro-AM.... I've grinded to get 50+ badges, wondering if these badges are working or nerfed at Pro AM... Is there a way to test this out?

Guess what, your overalls in mycareer are inflated.

Load your player into blacktop mode and check out his overall.

# 35 Rob. D @ 10/14/15 05:29 PM

Was able to get into games last night smooth and ran with a full 5

# 36 jotterio @ 10/14/15 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DakkoN


	Guess what, your overalls in mycareer are inflated. Load your player into blacktop mode and check out his overall.

Yea, I figure that makes sense.

But about the badges, they don't get mentioned in my player's stat box during a Pro AM game, whereas it shows in my career gm everytime I do something related to the badges (ie., dimer, deadeye, acrobat, etc...)

Just curious if they work online....

# 37 Clappington @ 10/14/15 05:43 PM

Lol boy I'd be lying if I said I wasnt salty, we stay getting stuff late on xbox I just hope this comes to us real soon and not weeks from now.

# 38 MontanaMan @ 10/14/15 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DakkoN


	Guess what, your overalls in mycareer are inflated. Load your player into blacktop mode and check out his overall.

Anybody know why this is?

# 39 GradyMac @ 10/14/15 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FantasyGuy10


	It's being brought up as this is the *only* mode out there that allows you to play 5 vs. 5 with your friends. The demand is out there clearly.

So get your team together and go play some ProAm. Why are you so concerned about rep? Why should playing in a ProAm game boost your reputation on the Parks?

That doesn't make sense. Like, why doesn't playing MyCareer games boost rep in MyPark....because you aren't in THE Park. You want to be a legend in the Park, then play in the Park. You want to get ProAm stats and wins, then play ProAm. Simple

# 40 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 10/14/15 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontanaMan


	Anybody know why this is?

Probably hear complaints about not being a 99

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