NLSC Your source for basketball video games.

The preview season is over, and NBA 2K22 has arrived! Over the next few days, many of us will be getting our hands on the new game, whether it’s on PC, a Current Gen console, or a Next Gen console. Since our community will be modding the PC version of NBA 2K22, our Downloads database has been updated with the appropriate sections.

Additionally, I’ve gone ahead and created the Modding and Tutorials & FAQs forums for NBA 2K22. The Modding section is where all mods, previews, and modding questions should be posted. As always, new topics can only be posted in the Tutorials section by NLSC staff members and Contributors. If you’d like to share a tutorial or resource, feel free to post it in the Modding section, and a moderator will move it ASAP. More information can be found in this topic.

I’d like to remind the community that our upload facilities are free and available to everyone with an NLSC Forum account (which is also free!). If you need any help using those facilities, check out this video tutorial which explains how to upload and maintain files. I hope that we can continue to be a productive, helpful, and welcoming modding community. Incidentally, I’ve thrown out a few ideas on how we could improve things in this week’s Friday Five.

Finally, in addition to the new modding forums and Downloads database sections, I’ve added an NBA 2K22 portal here on the main site. Any help maintaining information on the game in our Wiki would also be very much appreciated. Feel free to jump into the conversation about NBA 2K22 in the Forum, and keep that conversation going throughout its life cycle. From modding and sliders to gameplay tips and impressions, we want to produce a lot of content and have spirited discussion about NBA 2K22. I hope you’ll be a part of that, and hopefully, most of us will find enjoyment in 2K’s latest release. Happy 2K Day!

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five is a list of five ideas that could really benefit the modding scene.

When it comes to our modding community, there’s never been a question of talent, passion, or fantastic releases. There have been changing trends in the community throughout the years and challenges that we’ve faced, but one thing has remained the same: people are releasing some really cool stuff. Of course, there are ways that we could improve upon what we’re doing, and how we go about it. In previous articles, I’ve discussed the need to be cooperative, collaborative, and generally helpful. I like to think that we collectively do a good job of that, but things could be better.

If you look at the most impressive modding projects in the history of our community, you’ll see that they were the work of several people. Likewise, the reason that new faces are able to get involved with the hobby is that the people that came before them were willing to share knowledge and resources in the form of modding tutorials and mod templates. I’m grateful that those individuals have made those contributions in addition to their own releases, but I believe that we can do more. To that end, today I’m suggesting five ideas that could benefit the modding community, particularly in regards to big projects, working with multiple games, and helping others get started.

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The latest Courtside Report (aka Developer Blog) provides a breakdown of what to expect from MyNBA in NBA 2K22. For those who are unaware, MyNBA is the Next Gen franchise mode that encompasses the MyLEAGUE, MyLEAGUE Online, and MyGM experiences found on Current Gen. As such, the blog only applies to the Next Gen version of NBA 2K22.

Key enhancements this year include MySTAFF, a new approach to managing team staff from coaches and scouts to front office executives. Team and player training has been revamped, along with improved spreadsheet views. Three new pre-built expansion teams have also been added, along with conditional coaching options when simulating games.

Once again, I’ve summarised the key information point-by-point below. What are your thoughts on MyNBA in NBA 2K22 Next Gen? Have your say in the comments, and join in the discussion here in the Forum! As per the previously released schedule, this is the final developer insight that’s been announced, though it’s possible we’ll see some additional previews and teasers before NBA 2K22 is released this Friday.

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This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! In this feature, we dig into the archives, look back at the history of basketball gaming, and indulge in some nostalgia. Check in every Wednesday for retrospectives and other features on older versions of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and old school basketball video games in general. You’ll also find old NLSC editorials re-published with added commentary, and other flashback content. This week, I’m taking a look back at NBA Action 98, also released under the name NBA Fastbreak ’98.

Back in the days when demo CD-ROMs were still a thing, I happened to get my hands on a collection titled Sportz Crazy 2. Released by Sprint Software circa 1997, it featured over twenty sports game demos, in addition to a bunch of Windows 95 tools (including Internet Explorer 4!). As you might expect, my attention was immediately drawn to the basketball games, one of which was Slam ‘N Jam. The other was NBA Action 98, a game published by Sega Sports that was also available on the Saturn. NBA Fastbreak ’98 was the title given to the PlayStation version.

Both titles may be unfamiliar to younger basketball gamers, but the game stands as a significant release, being the forerunner to the NBA 2K series. It went head to head with NBA Live 98, and while EA Sports’ title was better across the board, NBA Action 98/NBA Fastbreak ’98 displayed many of the traits and the attention to detail that would eventually make NBA 2K the premier brand in sim-oriented basketball games. I’ve since picked up the full versions of both NBA Action 98 and NBA Fastbreak ’98, so let’s take a look back…way back…

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We’re almost at the end of the preview season, with the latest Courtside Report (aka developer blog) providing insights into MyCAREER in NBA 2K22. It also reveals what we can expect of The City on Next Gen, and The Neighborhood on Current Gen.

MyCAREER in the Next Gen version of NBA 2K22 will play out more like an interactive adventure than a movie. The blog compares it to an open world RPG, with main storyline quests and side quests. There are NBA and City-based objectives, including Daily and Seasonal tasks. Matchmaking buildings have been added, and the Gatorade Courts now have no rental fees.

On Current Gen, The Neighborhood has been turned into a luxury cruise, with familiar locations on different decks. There will also be NPCs and objectives, similar to Next Gen. Notably, the matchmaking options that have been introduced on Next Gen will not be available in the Current Gen version.

You can check out a summary of the NBA 2K22 MyCAREER Courtside Report below, as well as a trailer for The City. Got any thoughts on the latest previews? Sound off in the comments below, and join in the discussion here in the Forum! NBA 2K22 comes out this Friday, but as previously noted, we’ll be getting an insight into MyNBA as the preview season wraps up.

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Today’s file additions for NBA 2K20 PC feature the latest retro courts by Bassman58, which are also compatible with NBA 2K21. Pick them all up at the links below!

Bassman58
Cleveland Cavaliers 2006-07 Quicken Loans Arena
Dallas Mavericks 2002-03 American Airlines Center
New Jersey Nets 2001-02 Continental Airlines Arena
Detroit Pistons 2003-04 Palace at Auburn Hills
Miami Heat 2012-13 American Airlines Arena
Phoenix Suns 2004-05 America West Arena
New York Knicks 1998-99 Madison Square Garden

Thanks to everyone who continues to contribute to our Downloads database! If you need help uploading files, be sure to check out this video tutorial. For more information about downloads, the modding community, and File Additions bulletins, please see this FAQ in our Wiki.

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Start your week here at the NLSC with a feature that’s dedicated to opinions, commentary, and other fun stuff related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games. This week, I’m tipping things off with a few thoughts on how my basketball gaming habits are more vanilla than they used to be.

Over the years, there are two initiatives within our community that have gone a long way in improving the basketball gaming experience after a title is released: modding, and slider tweaks. Mods have added missing content, created new experiences such as retro, college, and foreign league rosters, and attempted to fix issues with the games wherever possible. When it comes to refining the gameplay, devising the right slider adjustments has made a huge difference for many gamers. In short, few would say that playing the game as-is – vanilla basketball gaming, if you will – is optimal.

During my time as a content creator in the basketball gaming community, I’ve created roster mods, and I’ve devised sets of slider tweaks. I’ve also installed other people’s mods, and tried out their sliders. However, I have to admit that my basketball gaming habits have changed over the past decade or so, to the point where you might say that I’m playing a vanilla game. This isn’t because I don’t appreciate the hard work of our modding community, nor is it because I believe that games can’t be improved upon with slider tweaks. Rather, a combination of my preferred modes, primary platform, and even my content creation habits, have led to more vanilla basketball gaming.

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Episode #391 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

The NLSC NBA Live 10 Tournament has tipped off, and it’s been a blast so far! It seems we’ve also found the chief cause of input lag: location, location, location. Nevertheless, our Road Trip continues in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, and a recent session produced an exciting moment indeed. Parsec has also allowed the community to connect and play with some fantastic retro season mods for NBA 2K10 and NBA 2K11 PC, which don’t get enough attention. We also address a couple of concerning issues in the modding community. The latest NBA 2K22 developer blogs cover gameplay and MyTEAM, and we’re a little more positive about how the latter is shaping up. Finally, could we see some mods for Basketball Classics in the future?

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:51:57 — 77.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

It’s time to enjoy some virtual hardwood highlights in the NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week! This is a weekly feature curated by Derek (aka Dee4Three) spotlighting the best plays from the basketball gaming community, which includes a few of our own memorable clips from time to time. Submit your clips in the Forum, or hit up Derek on Twitter!

This week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays features players in a spin, shards of broken backboard, fancy handles, and more than a couple of breathtaking poster dunks! For the second time in the countdown, ten different basketball video games are represented, including a couple of older titles that arguably deserve more love. Some of them will be profiled in Wayback Wednesday in the not too distant future, but for now, enjoy this assortment of entertaining plays from the community!

What was your favourite highlight this week? Sound off in the comments below, and once again, get in on the fun by sending us your spectacular moments on the virtual hardwood or blacktop. All basketball games are welcome, new and old! Also, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube for more basketball gaming videos.

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five outlines the five stages that we go through every time there’s a new basketball game release.

We’re on the road to a new basketball game release, namely NBA 2K22. Obviously, we’re all hoping for the best as far as gameplay improvements, enhancements to game modes, and a fairer approach to recurrent revenue mechanics. Alright, we probably shouldn’t hold our breath on that last point! Nevertheless, the preview season always brings a mixture of excitement, intrigue, scepticism, and cynicism. We’re hoping for good news and want to be open-minded, but we’re also leery of being disappointed, having been burned by previous releases.

Of course, we gamers – and the content creators, influencers, and pundits within gaming communities – are creatures of habit. We don’t always learn from the past, though that is admittedly a very human problem. Having covered basketball games for the NLSC for twenty years now, I’ve noticed the same cycle repeating with every game and preview season. In fact, it’s so consistent that I can apply the “five stages of grief” model to the steps we collectively go through whenever a new basketball game release is looming. Do I expect to break the cycle simply by pointing this out? No, but if nothing else, spelling it out may explain why many of us feel so cynical at times.

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As per the previously released schedule, the latest Courtside Report (aka developer blog) has delivered the details on MyTEAM in NBA 2K22. Incidentally, you may recognise the name of the producer who penned the blog. Yes, it’s JaoSming!

There’s a lot to look forward to in MyTEAM this year. The new Draft mode provides online gamers with an opportunity to play with some of the best cards in the game. Collector Levels have returned, and The 100 adds a new defensive challenge to Triple Threat Online. The MT Shoe Lab allows for custom boosts, and Challenges have been reworked. All cards are now Gold or higher, and Holo Cards are the new rarest of the rare collectibles. Team customisation has also been expanded, it’s possible to collect multiple starter cards, and there is a card grading system.

In addition to the blog, a trailer has also been posted. You can check it out below, along with my summary of the Courtside Report. What are your thoughts after seeing what’s in store for MyTEAM in NBA 2K22? Have your say in the comments below, and join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum! Ahead of NBA 2K22’s release on September 10th, next week’s Courtside Reports and other previews will be focusing on The City, MyCAREER, and MyNBA.

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A new trailer has revealed that NBA 2K22 will feature the authentic PA Announcers for all of the NBA teams. Additionally, Tommy Edwards, who served as the Bulls PA Announcer from 1976 to 1990 and again from 2006-2019, will lend his voice to the classic Chicago squads.

The trailer spotlights the various announcers performing some of their signature calls, accompanied by fitting gameplay footage. This is the first time that a basketball video game will feature individual PA Announcers for every single team. However, it’s a suggestion that’s come up in various Wishlists over the years, and with the storage space now available on discs and hard drives alike, it’s finally become a reality. Check out the trailer below!

What are your thoughts on authentic PA Announcers being included in NBA 2K22? Have your say in the comments below, and feel free to join in the discussion here in the Forum! MyTEAM news is still in the pipeline this week, with further insights coming next week in the lead up NBA 2K22’s release on September 10th.

This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! In this feature, we dig into the archives, look back at the history of basketball gaming, and indulge in some nostalgia. Check in every Wednesday for retrospectives and other features on older versions of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and old school basketball video games in general. You’ll also find old NLSC editorials re-published with added commentary, and other flashback content. This week, I’m taking a look back at that weird Zion trailer for NBA 2K21 Next Gen.

Way back in the fourth season of The Simpsons, in the classic episode “Mr. Plow”, Homer becomes…well, Mr. Plow. At first his business succeeds, thanks in small part to his creation of a surprisingly competent commercial. When Homer begins to lose customers to Barney’s Plow King business, he seeks the help of an ad agency that ends up creating a commercial that is a hilarious send-up of just about every artsy, pseudo intellectual advertisement that has barely anything to do with the product or service in question.

To me, that’s the perfect analogy for the weird Zion teaser trailer for the Next Gen version of NBA 2K21. It was weird, it had questionable imagery, and judging by some YouTube comments, it offended a few people as well. Normally I’d wait a bit longer to cover basketball games and basketball gaming subjects in my Wayback Wednesday features, but hey, it was over a year ago, so I’ll bend the rules on this occasion. Let’s take a look back…a little way back…

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Following on from yesterday’s trailer, the latest Courtside Report (aka developer blog) provides insights into gameplay in NBA 2K22. As previously announced, we can also expect a blog detailing improvements and changes to MyTEAM to be posted sometime this week.

The gameplay blog is the most comprehensive insight thus far. To highlight some of the major points, 17 new Badges have been added, for a total of 80 in both Current Gen and Next Gen. There are new dribbling packages, and dribbling movement is faster paced. Dunk packages can also be customised. Defensive AI has been rewritten, the shot contest and blocking systems have been rebuilt, and “ghost contests” have been removed. There’s also a new Shot Meter with a dynamic make window, and Shot IQ is a major factor in shot success.

You can find a detailed summary of the blog below. What are your thoughts on the reported improvements to gameplay in NBA 2K22? Have your say in the comments, and join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum! Once again, stay tuned for more information about MyTEAM in this year’s game.

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As per the previously released schedule for the NBA 2K22 preview season, this week we can expect to hear details on gameplay and MyTEAM. According to a Tweet, the Courtside Report (aka developer blog) providing insights into gameplay is coming out tomorrow. In the meantime, the official NBA 2K22 Gameplay Reveal trailer has been posted, giving us our first glimpse of this year’s release in action.

Not surprisingly, the reveal trailer showcases the gameplay from cinematic angles, with a focus on highlight plays and signature celebrations. Various NBA stars are spotlighted, including a few familiar faces who are now in new places, along with Candace Parker and other WNBA players. The new Wilson NBA and WNBA basketballs are obviously also featured. Check out the trailer below, or catch it here on YouTube.

Feel free to post your thoughts on the NBA 2K22 Gameplay Reveal Trailer in the comments below, as well as join in the discussion here in the Forum! Once again, insights into this year’s gameplay will be provided by a blog that’s slated for release tomorrow, with the MyTEAM blog likely coming later in the week. Next week will bring insights into The City, MyCAREER, and MyNBA, and of course the release of the game itself on September 10th.