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

# 81 HustlinOwl @ 10/15/15 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluFu


	How do I join this community? I can't seem to find it.

send me a friend request

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 82 FlyrebelHeffner @ 10/15/15 12:25 PM

Looking for a Squad to join. I have two players 6'5 Balanced SG and 6'11 Balanced PF (both with an emphasis on defense)
PSN: FlyRebelHeffner

# 83 FlyrebelHeffner @ 10/15/15 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolidSquid


	Man I need to get on a team bc walk on games are horrible. So many chuckers and guys cherry picking and playing no defense at all.

Same here -- terrible

# 84 BigDaneAyMane @ 10/15/15 01:06 PM

Need a squad to get in some games with on Xbox. Preferably with adults who understand having kids, spouse, job, etc. Got a 6'6 balanced SG with outside, def, and ath maxed out, but love to play team ball and play the right way.

GT: ThaAftaMatH

# 85 BluFu @ 10/15/15 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HustlinOwl


	S send me a friend request Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same name?

# 86 HustlinOwl @ 10/15/15 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluFu


	Same name?

weird, yes HustlinOwl

# 87 GradyMac @ 10/15/15 01:47 PM

Man some people are thirsty for rep so they can take their shirt off and ride that skateboard.

# 88 speedtrucker @ 10/15/15 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FantasyGuy10


	And you can still have that. But implement Rep. There's a perspective that somehow if they implement Rep that it will become "cheese". That is absolutely not the case and I cringe everytime I hear somebody say that. Gameplay determines cheese, and right now the gameplay in Pro-Am is perfect. Having people gain rep for playing won't change that. It would be very simple to implement some sort of Rep system. If the players in your squad are all from that same affiliation, then you gain some sort of Rep repping that affiliation in a Pro-Am game. I'm just happy Ronnie2K and LD2K said on their stream Tuesday that they'll talk to the devs about implementing rep in Pro-Am, as it was much requested by the comments. Because as much as people say they are two complete separate game modes, they are not. You are even wearing your Park clothing right there in Walk-On games! Hell, they even have a Pro-Am billboard in MyPark.

the only way that Rep-gains wouldn't annoy me in Pro-Am is if the earnings could not be used in Pro-Am. basically just earning it to be flashed in MyPark only. ie it is purely behind-the-scenes earning in Pro-Am to be reflected in mypark.

I want Pro-Am to be as sim as possible and turn into the And-1 world of MyPark which I have always dispised.

# 89 Scvllp @ 10/15/15 02:26 PM

Had a game where I scored half my teams points just running pick and roll. The other team just keep double teaming the ball handler. We lost the game after I lost my connection. Got my first win but had a bad offensive game.

# 90 SimBaller @ 10/15/15 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballin2k0


	what about not being able to play nba 2k15 on the ps4 at all after buying 2k16 it freezes at the kevin durant loading screen i played 2k15 hours before buying 2k16 so i know there is a problem there.when can i play 2k15 again?

This is actually an issue with Sony's new SDK. You probably didn't make the connection, but this started happening when you upgraded.

I had the same issue at home. Deleted the game, reinstalled, and it worked fine.

# 91 Rashad_Colvin @ 10/15/15 04:42 PM

Finally got two games in last night, fun, fun, fun. We went 2-0. My team is pretty solid. Playing defense is key this year. If you need a 92 rated PF, add me on PS4 Rashad_Colvin

# 92 Black Bruce Wayne @ 10/15/15 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMart14


	How such a great mode can be managed so badly?

my sentiments exactly. I still cant get a game in.

# 93 Clappington @ 10/15/15 05:25 PM

Still waiting for it on x1 I hope this isn't like patch 4 when it took a very long time to come on x1.

# 94 TheSameCrew @ 10/16/15 11:32 AM

TSC is now recruiting. Come try out not just another crew but an xbox family! We in need of everything! Team first mindset! If interested then hit me up on here or xbox(the league guy). Changing my gamertag soon. So hit me up soon! You must try out, willing to meet the requirements, and pass interview. Everything will be told when you hit me up. Not in comment section. The same crew or no crew! 20/19/03!!!

# 95 Walt Frazier @ 10/16/15 11:41 AM

Damm, I am late to the party on this...just played my first game and it is freaking awesome

I have bought every 2K game and basically never played online. Essentially, I don't play anything online. I only bothered even creating an online persona as my brother is online a lot and we are in different countries at the moment.

But, wow. It is great fun. I bought the Jordan Edition on PS4 basically just for Pro Am...I already have the game on PC where I will play a full NBA season.

I am a pass first point guard...dished six assists, one turnover. Was pleased with that, but I have the worst shot imaginable. Shot 1 from 7 and each felt literally like I was throwing a brick.

Excuse my naivety here...but do I need VC to upgrade my shot or it will improve the more I play?

# 96 PelicansFan23 @ 10/16/15 01:13 PM

PSN: PrepP

SF/PF

Play team ball and I play the "garbage man" role. Grab rebs, play D, take wide open shots, a little of everything. More worried with getting the W than scoring points.

I have a team if you want to play or I will run with some other teams. Send me a request on PSN with OS in the message.

Also looking for a team-up league to join on PS4,.

# 97 Walt Frazier @ 10/17/15 01:03 AM

I love this mode...already addicted.

I do wish there was a mode though where everyone was essentially equal. I.e. Best players win based on skill.

As it is...some dude who is a 90 rated three point shooter is draining threes like he is Ray Allen.

While I take the same shot and throw up bricks

If I add about 10 000 VC to my 3 point game, I also will be draining those same shots.

So, it basically costs money to play well?

Note...yes, I know you can grind through MyPlayer to get VC, but that mode is tedious. I basically on,y play NBA season mode.

# 98 Kmac27. @ 10/17/15 09:29 AM

Can't wait I'm bout to play now

# 99 Walt Frazier @ 10/17/15 01:31 PM

This mode is so addictive..spent hours on today.

Great fun...played some teams who obviously knew each others and their roles, you can see the difference. One team had two incredible rebounders just owning the paint v my team. Not much could do about them.

I am playing just as a walk on...makes it hard as you do not know each other's game etc, but still great fun.

# 100 Walt Frazier @ 10/18/15 06:33 AM

Had my best game today...12 assists, zero turnovers.

Hit two from two from downtown also from guys kicking out to me.

I am a Jason Kidd type player. If guys are free, I try and hit them. Shoot only as a last option.

Absolutely love this mode....it is seriously sucking up all my free time

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