NBA 2K11 Review

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor & Sword

As far as Baseball games...The Show is the Gold standard IMO. I played MVP 2005 till I went Next Gen and bought The Show 2009. I have never looked back. Just amazing. It captures the most important aspect of video baseball games for me in the pitcher/batter dual. Just incredible. NHL 2011 is a hockey fans dream but what is more impressive is how great it is as just a stand alone game for the casual fan (me). I love this game and I am by no means a hockey expert/die hard. But it plays amazing, is a load of fun and very deep and immersive like both The Show and NBA2K11 My all-time great rankings (and I have played and own all the games we are talking about) 1) MLB The Show 2009 2) NBA 2K11 3) NHL 2011 4) NFL2K5 5) Ch2K2008 6) NCAA 2011 7) FIFA 2009 (never got 2010, 2011 yet) 9) Madden 2005 10) Madden 2011 (yes it is really good offline if you can make it right with sliders, gameplans, and controlling all 32 teams)

It's clearly become my favorite basketball game bypassing ch2k8. To me it's a top 5 sports game all time. But I can see no way you could say it's quality clearly separated itself from the Show. IMO like others have said it's still behind the Show but they are definitely in the same ballpark.


I think my list goes something like this.

1. MLB The Show '10
2. Espn 2k5
3. NBA 2k11
4. NCAA 2011
5. NCAA 2004

[NINJAK2]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaReapa

Agreed. Even though it's not a deal breaker like it was in 2K9 and 2K10. I have to admit, the controls are much more improved than in recent years, but it's nowhere near as fluid as it was in CH 2K8. Depsite what has been touted, there are still sluggish controls and hanging animations. Also, there are nagging issues like players constantly picking up their dribbles during contact, inconceivable steals by the AI, and out-of-control pass attempts when your intended pass recipient is caught up in some hanging animation after getting bumped (FRUSTRATING). Even with these issues, it's still one of the better basketball titles I've ever played - and I've been playing bball games since Jordan vs Bird (on the Tiger handheld, no less). I just hope that 2K can resolve some of the issues that are present through a patch, then maybe we just may have one of, if not the best sports game ever.

This is one of my favorite additions to 2k11- the physicality. It has been missing for a while and it is a big part of the NBA game in general. We are talking about 10 grown men on the court ranging anywhere between sizes of 6'1" to 7'2"+ all trying to execute gameplans. Guys are colliding and bumping into each other routinely over the course of a game. The NBA is certainly not as brutal as the 80's and 90's but plenty of on ball and off ball contact takes place on almost every possession. Forcing ball handlers to pick up their dribble with good D is a welcome addition imo. Who knows what the game would be like if they took this out with a patch(Dunk city USA). Getting to the paint untouched is about reading the defense, creating space, and getting the d out of position allowing u to get where u want. All these principles apply in 2k11 as well..

Great review OS..

[DaReapa]

Quote: Originally Posted by NINJAK2

This is one of my favorite additions to 2k11- the physicality. It has been missing for a while and it is a big part of the NBA game in general. We are talking about 10 grown men on the court ranging anywhere between sizes of 6'1" to 7'2"+ all trying to execute gameplans. Guys are colliding and bumping into each other routinely over the course of a game. The NBA is certainly not as brutal as the 80's and 90's but plenty of on ball and off ball contact takes place on almost every possession. Forcing ball handlers to pick up their dribble with good D is a welcome addition imo. Who knows what the game would be like if they took this out with a patch(Dunk city USA). Getting to the paint untouched is about reading the defense, creating space, and getting the d out of position allowing u to get where u want. All these principles apply in 2k11 as well.. Great review OS..

I don't have any problems with the contact, nor do I have a problem with players picking up their dribble during contact. I feel it's a welcomed feature that makes the game a lot less run-and-gun and somewhat more authentic. And I never wished that 2K would implement a patch that removes the feature. What I do have a problem with is the frequency of players picking up their dribble, which is more times than is should be happening. In a real life game, you don't see players picking up their dribble after every other time contact is initiated. Another problem I have with this is one game where I was playing as the Knicks with Amar'e Stoudemire against the Suns, and had what I thought was an advantageous mismatch with Steve Nash during a defensive switch. As I was backing him down, somehow my player stumbled and I lost control of the ball which caused me to pick up my dribble. Huh!!? With time running down on the shot clock, I had to settle for a fadeaway jumper - against Steve Nash, no less.

Again, I like the contact. There are just times like this example where it can get just plain ridiculous.

[NINJAK2]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaReapa

I don't have any problems with the contact, nor do I have a problem with players picking up their dribble during contact. I feel it's a welcomed feature that makes the game a lot less run-and-gun and somewhat more authentic. And I never wished that 2K would implement a patch that removes the feature. What I do have a problem with is the frequency of players picking up their dribble, which is more times than is should be happening. In a real life game, you don't see players picking up their dribble after every other time contact is initiated. Another problem I have with this is one game where I was playing as the Knicks with Amar'e Stoudemire against the Suns, and had what I thought was an advantageous mismatch with Steve Nash during a defensive switch. As I was backing him down, somehow my player stumbled and I lost control of the ball which caused me to pick up my dribble. Huh!!? With time running down on the shot clock, I had to settle for a fadeaway jumper - against Steve Nash, no less. Again, I like the contact. There are just times like this example where it can get just plain ridiculous.

Ok. I got you DaReapa. When you initially described them as "nagging issues" and then I saw the word patch in your post I got worried. I see your issue with Amare though, just curious if you were trying to do a spin move,etc. to a certain direction and Nash beat you to the spot forcing you to lose dribble?

[JonahFalcon]

Why are there no sliders in My Player, by the way?

[JonahFalcon]

PS. My favorite part of shootarounds? Chasing loose balls around the gym. Yep.

[threes_co]

Quote: Originally Posted by JonahFalcon

Why are there no sliders in My Player, by the way?

To combat cheaters

[Dalsanto0026]

Patience is the key. Initially I thought offball player movement was non existent due to my impatience to find an open teammate but after shaking bad habits learned from previous titles I realised that if you run down the clock a little and wait for things to unfold you'll get some player movement and be able to make some nice passes and take some good shots.

This game is amazing. Easily the best basketball title I've ever played.