NBA 2K10 My Player Impressions

by pastapadre
Posted October 1st, 2009 at 8:53 am

padremyplayer3

I have a love-hate relationship with career modes in sports titles. I appreciate the ability to control a single player which in turn simplifies the games and presents clear objectives and measurements of success. At the same time I’ve always come across certain aspects that have soured the overall experience. Those conflicting feelings continue with NBA 2K10′s My Player mode.

My first thought after spending time with My Player is that it’s obviously vastly superior to what was offered with the Draft Combine. Not only is the gameplay slightly improved but there are various elements that come with the full mode that make it much more fun and interesting unlike the bore that was DC. However some fundamental flaws have definitely hurt my opinion of the mode. At the moment those things are discouraging but at least they would appear to be potentially fixable server side or via patch.

Starting in the Summer Circuit (unless you had DC and uploaded to the draft) you are given a handful of games and drills to complete. This is all very similar to what was found in DC just without the possibility of being drafted. In all likelihood, and it might be unavoidable, the player will be cut after those are completed and signed by an NBDL team. This is where the biggest problem presents itself.

The framerate once the NBDL is reached and the NBA takes a serious hit. While it does not make the game unplayable it is definitely annoying and very noticeable compared to the smooth play in the Summer Circuit. It would seem that the arenas packed with fans, addition of cheerleaders and PA announcer, spotlights, and everything else that comes with the move up have caused the inconsistent framerate. It doesn’t come across as evident in the videos but is more about the feel when playing with is jerky and slugglish. Not only does that make it visually annoying but it affects play in that it can screw with anything that depends on timing or reactionary moves.

The atmosphere, which could very well be what is causing the framerate slowdown, does make playing the game even without announcers much more enjoyable than playing in an empty gym. The crowd gets into the games, there is music from the soundtrack during time outs, there are spotlights used in the arena, and there is variety in that you’ll be playing different teams with their own unique colors and logos. I had suspected missing all that in the Draft Combine was a big part of why I didn’t enjoy it.

padremyplayer2

The other thing I have grown quite frustrated with is the positive or negative grading system. Originally I created a SF, and after scrapping that a SG, but had trouble getting opportunities to raise my grade in games. The player ratings are just so poor at the start that it becomes more about avoiding the things that might get you negative grades than trying to play naturally. After scrapping those positions I started up as a PG and have done much better. Having the ball in your hands consistently provides for more opportunities. I suspect big men also have that since they would have better chances at rebounds, boxing out, and higher shot percentages.

But it isn’t just a sense of imbalance in the positions but also in what counts as a positive and what registers as a negative. Frequently I find that one mistake can wipe out a lot more good that had been done previously. And it becomes especially frustrating when you get knocked for things that are either out of your control or just part of the game of basketball. I’m sorry, but committing a foul does not make you a bad teammate. Taking a subjectively “difficult” shot does not make you a bad teammate. Another totally subjective thing in “holding the ball too long” is usually bogus because I’m trying to run a play. The guy you’re assigned to is probably going to score over the course of a game, that they did does not make you a bad teammate. There should be a buffer, so that if those things occur too many times THEN you’re responsible and should take a hit.

As frustrating as all of that can be there is a genuine sense of achievement when you do something well. I hit a three to put the team up by one point with 11 seconds to go in a game. Not only was that a thrilling moment but I received a bonus for putting the team ahead in the last minute. I also like getting credit for boxing out, making good passes, getting assists, scoring on fast breaks, and so on. Clearly there are good things that come with the grading also. It just seems like the good can be wiped out in an instant because of determinations that are completely subjective or unfair.

Each game you get the three objectives which I’ve found to be more reasonable than in the Draft Combine. That might just be due to the new position I’m playing but they aren’t changing my strategy for how to play which is what had bothered me about it first. Given that you only get 100 points for each objective its not the end of the world if you don’t complete them. I usually worry about my grade and my stats before going for something specific mentioned in an objective.

Also an issue of much discussion is that the mode is locked in with five minute quarters. While I find this just about right in how long the games are taking to complete, it definitely does not result in accurate statistics. Scores are going to be low, minutes played are going to be low. Now since you’re generally playing to get your stats instead of just win the game naturally, you’re player will be in decent shape. He just won’t have spectacular sounding stats and players across the league will have anemic averages as well.

After having arrived in the NBDL you get 10 more drills that can be completed to earn more skill points and use them to increase your attributes. I’m not sure if there is a limit on the number of NBDL games you can play before they just decide that you’re not going to be NBA caliber, but I’m through nine games at this point. There is also no progress indicator to give you an idea of how well you are progressing towards the NBA.

As a PG I’ve found that I don’t always play the position. Much of the time I’ve been playing SG and even in a few cases SF. This is probably because I’m classified as a “3pt Specialist”. I like that you can get some variety and have some different goals over the course of a game.

The XBL status while you’re playing the mode shows some neat information. It displays the quarter and how many points, assists, and rebounds your player has at that very moment.

One of the things that really breaks up the monotony found in Draft Combine, is with My Player you’ll have substitutions and spend time on the bench. You can sim though the parts of the game when you’re on the bench or you’re able to watch the game from a sideline perspective. I would’ve preferred a way to just skip those parts entirely without having to go through the same process multiple times during a single game.

This also means your player gets a chance to rest and recover some turbo. In DC there was too much emphasis on drained turbo to the point where you would avoid doing some things just to conserve turbo. One example could be running down the court on a fast break to back up which was something that you didn’t want to waste turbo on. There is a pretty good balance in My Player that you don’t want to overuse turbo but you feel comfortable playing realistically.

While I do like that they’ve made it so you have to really work your way up, starting rated so low is just a little discouraging. I can definitely see some people getting tired of missing layups or open shots or getting harsh ratings and giving up on the mode because of it. At the same time it is nice to have a challenge and be able to build your player up over time.

The substitution patterns can be somewhat odd. While in the Summer Circuit I would notice times where I was taken out of the game, simmed ahead, and was put back in the game at the next dead ball. There were also instances where I’d start the second half on the bench and be subbed back in and only like seven seconds had elapsed. This seems to be less noticeable now that I’m in the NBDL and playing more minutes.

I’ve yet to determine whether this is a problem just in My Player or if it is the same with the regular games in 2K10, but I haven’t noted it in those games so far. In My Player it seems like any advantage fast breaks my teammates don’t cut to the basket. They all flare out to the three point line and simply aren’t aggressive which forces me to pull the ball back out.

I don’t know why it bugs me but why is only one player allowed to inbound the ball after a made basket? I may come down with the ball, or some other player may come across it first. Instead of any of us just throwing it in to the PG, it goes to one specific player (I haven’t looked to see what position it is) with a hard chest pass that sometimes is thrown while standing the opposite direction even. It just gives it a real mechanical feel that only one position inbounds the ball.

I’d like to have a way to pump up the crowd in the future. While playing home games I always have the urge to pump up the crowd in particular situations. It would be a neat feel to be able to do that and have the crowd react.

Overall I think My Player has some good potential and it has been built out well for a first attempt. Unfortunately a few major issues are hampering the experience. The framerate after having reached the NBDL needs to be addressed, and the grading criteria should be adjusted to be more fair. If just those two things are taken care of I would see this mode as a significant addition in the value and variety it adds to NBA 2K10.

Tags: impressions, latest news, Videos

Brandon

Pasta, you are completely correct with everything that you've said.

Granted turnovers should be frowned upon, they take A LOT to make up for. Generally a few assists.. AND a few good passes, and unless your a PG, good luck. And being deemed a bad teammate because your match-up scores is RIDICULOUS. Because you don't take an open shot… your a bad teammate?

Even some of the goals that you have to meet can lead to a bad teammate rating. Sure, hitting two three-pointers sounds easy, but actually achieving it in the game with a 3 PT Rating of, depending on your position and the skill points that you've used, 40-55, is difficult. And when you miss, if there's a defender near you, your a bad teammate. If you repeatedly miss shots, trying to achieve that goal, your a bad teammate. Bad shot selection? No. Bad grading system? Yes.

In regards to the D League, it is nice that you can be subbed in at different positions. But when your a 6' PG, and your subbed in against 6'6'' SF… and you have NO post skill because, naturally, a PG wouldn't be in the post, and you get backed down on and scored on… It appears that I'm a bad teammate again.

If 2K Sports patch this and re-vamp the grading system or do anything to make the My Player feature better, I may play My Player again. Until then, my NBA 2K10 will be only for quick games and an occasional multiplayer game.
Brandon

Pasta, you are completely correct with everything that you've said.

Granted turnovers should be frowned upon, they take A LOT to make up for. Generally a few assists.. AND a few good passes, and unless your a PG, good luck. And being deemed a bad teammate because your match-up scores is RIDICULOUS. Because you don't take an open shot… your a bad teammate?

Even some of the goals that you have to meet can lead to a bad teammate rating. Sure, hitting two three-pointers sounds easy, but actually achieving it in the game with a 3 PT Rating of, depending on your position and the skill points that you've used, 40-55, is difficult. And when you miss, if there's a defender near you, your a bad teammate. If you repeatedly miss shots, trying to achieve that goal, your a bad teammate. Bad shot selection? No. Bad grading system? Yes.

In regards to the D League, it is nice that you can be subbed in at different positions. But when your a 6' PG, and your subbed in against 6'6'' SF… and you have NO post skill because, naturally, a PG wouldn't be in the post, and you get backed down on and scored on… It appears that I'm a bad teammate again.

If 2K Sports patch this and re-vamp the grading system or do anything to make the My Player feature better, I may play My Player again. Until then, my NBA 2K10 will be only for quick games and an occasional multiplayer game.
http://www.ratedmature.net/ nick

what i want to know is can you simulate past games. thats the only thing i find really enoying is not being able to sim the games.
http://www.ratedmature.net nick

what i want to know is can you simulate past games. thats the only thing i find really enoying is not being able to sim the games.
grover

I did some experimentation with my player over the last couple days..
first i made a 6'2" defensive PG and was cut from the summer league then picked up as a reserve in the d-league. with all of the drills and practice I started to get frustrated when my rating didn't climb above 41. then i made a 6'10" PF with a bit more luck..playing in the post seems to be a lot easier than running the point. even wide open shots were difficult to make as a PG.
the last player i made(best so far) is a 6'8" scoring SF. i completed the summer league and was invited to training camp with the suns. i put up 20ppg/8rpg/4apg/2stl averages during the summer league and on the first game of training camp i scored a team high 23 pts to go with 8 rebounds 5 ast 2 steals and 3 blocks all while matched against grant hill through 4, 12 minute quarters.. i'm only a 46..
it still looks like i'm going to get cut and wind up in the d-league..
i think if myplayer is really going to be interesting the player ratings need to start at at least 50
grover

I did some experimentation with my player over the last couple days..
first i made a 6'2" defensive PG and was cut from the summer league then picked up as a reserve in the d-league. with all of the drills and practice I started to get frustrated when my rating didn't climb above 41. then i made a 6'10" PF with a bit more luck..playing in the post seems to be a lot easier than running the point. even wide open shots were difficult to make as a PG.
the last player i made(best so far) is a 6'8" scoring SF. i completed the summer league and was invited to training camp with the suns. i put up 20ppg/8rpg/4apg/2stl averages during the summer league and on the first game of training camp i scored a team high 23 pts to go with 8 rebounds 5 ast 2 steals and 3 blocks all while matched against grant hill through 4, 12 minute quarters.. i'm only a 46..
it still looks like i'm going to get cut and wind up in the d-league..
i think if myplayer is really going to be interesting the player ratings need to start at at least 50
Ian

Its a team play, i’m getting an A- rating on my team. you need to focus on the team you must pass. screen and take shots if you are really open. and Upgrade your skill points if you want to be a better player
Ian

Its a team play, i’m getting an A- rating on my team. you need to focus on the team you must pass. screen and take shots if you are really open. and Upgrade your skill points if you want to be a better player
kyle

Yes what everything ur saying is true but……… when i started with the nba draft combine i started as a SF and was avareging about 17.5 pts 6 assit 10 rebs i got invited by the suns and was in compatition with grant hill a created guy the my lilltle brother made jared davis… i didnt get cutt or anything they kept me and once the season started i was commin off the bench also my guy was a overoll of a 49 at the time was putting things like shots up vertical and dunks up thats y it was so low but besides that they kept me all season i was the sixth man on the team and won the award at the end of the year he was avaging more then the created star and he was the starter was avaging 16.8 his ovr was 99 tho so i can understand that but my player was avaging 21 pts a game and 3.2 stls 6 asst and 3 rebs . but my major problem is that once the seaon was over i was in the freeagent pool i couldnt resign with them so the team that wanted me to sign with them was the bucks so i did and i went trough the summer camp thing again the drill stuff but once all that was done i tried to start a game and it didnt let me… it just froze… what is that all about??????? so i just started a new season with my player now im a A all around SG and everygame i get ether a A+ or A- ether way im still acumulating over 1000 and suffin points but one thing i dnt understand is Y is the dunking so much points and 3 point shots so much but stealing and ball handle and layups and on ball defense is so cheap ????? anyone answer that for me
kyle

Yes what everything ur saying is true but……… when i started with the nba draft combine i started as a SF and was avareging about 17.5 pts 6 assit 10 rebs i got invited by the suns and was in compatition with grant hill a created guy the my lilltle brother made jared davis… i didnt get cutt or anything they kept me and once the season started i was commin off the bench also my guy was a overoll of a 49 at the time was putting things like shots up vertical and dunks up thats y it was so low but besides that they kept me all season i was the sixth man on the team and won the award at the end of the year he was avaging more then the created star and he was the starter was avaging 16.8 his ovr was 99 tho so i can understand that but my player was avaging 21 pts a game and 3.2 stls 6 asst and 3 rebs . but my major problem is that once the seaon was over i was in the freeagent pool i couldnt resign with them so the team that wanted me to sign with them was the bucks so i did and i went trough the summer camp thing again the drill stuff but once all that was done i tried to start a game and it didnt let me… it just froze… what is that all about??????? so i just started a new season with my player now im a A all around SG and everygame i get ether a A+ or A- ether way im still acumulating over 1000 and suffin points but one thing i dnt understand is Y is the dunking so much points and 3 point shots so much but stealing and ball handle and layups and on ball defense is so cheap ????? anyone answer that for me
Aaron

I just created a 6'3 Pg thats all around. I got nothin lower than an A during the circiut and the manager said that every team wanted me to go to their training camp. I chose the magic, there I was averaging 18 ppg and 12 apg and got an A+ in every game except the last (got an A) and ended up making the team as a 12th man. With all the drills and skill points I just worked on my mid range shot (90) and my awarenesses (74 each) and have a 56 overall player. So basically just get A's or higher for your grade and have decent numbers and you'll make it to and through training camp.
Aaron

I just created a 6'3 Pg thats all around. I got nothin lower than an A during the circiut and the manager said that every team wanted me to go to their training camp. I chose the magic, there I was averaging 18 ppg and 12 apg and got an A+ in every game except the last (got an A) and ended up making the team as a 12th man. With all the drills and skill points I just worked on my mid range shot (90) and my awarenesses (74 each) and have a 56 overall player. So basically just get A's or higher for your grade and have decent numbers and you'll make it to and through training camp.
james oden

shabalaba digdong
james oden

shabalaba digdong
Jereziah Knight

How many games must I accomplish in the NBA?
Jereziah Knight

How many games must I accomplish in the NBA?
mychal

yeah i never made d league i went straight to the lakers and i won the play offs and 1 session my player is ranked at 75 and can dunk and hes like me 6'0 even 160 pounds . I have video if you want to see me in action.
mychal

yeah i never made d league i went straight to the lakers and i won the play offs and 1 session my player is ranked at 75 and can dunk and hes like me 6'0 even 160 pounds . I have video if you want to see me in action.
tom

u can choose quarter lengths go to options then one of the places in the options category has it u just have to go to one of them and scroll down and it says quarter length
tom

u can choose quarter lengths go to options then one of the places in the options category has it u just have to go to one of them and scroll down and it says quarter length
FLOW lik wOW

after i won the nba championship in my player mode for 2k10 it doesnt allow me to play any more game what should i do ??
FLOW lik wOW

after i won the nba championship in my player mode for 2k10 it doesnt allow me to play any more game what should i do ??
Wes

Tell me why the fuck they think that missing is steal warrants a negative score? Or why it's impossible to stop your man acting like a spaz if another player comes near him with the ball. Or teammates not staying on their man? This mode sucks dick and ruins the whole NBA2K10 game. Fuck them in the ass for getting it this wrong. Like the guys playing in the D-league are that shit. You might as well start in a wheelchair. I hate this mode of the game so much it's not even funny or sexy. Just annoying.
Wes

Tell me why the fuck they think that missing is steal warrants a negative score? Or why it's impossible to stop your man acting like a spaz if another player comes near him with the ball. Or teammates not staying on their man? This mode sucks dick and ruins the whole NBA2K10 game. Fuck them in the ass for getting it this wrong. Like the guys playing in the D-league are that shit. You might as well start in a wheelchair. I hate this mode of the game so much it's not even funny or sexy. Just annoying.
http://www.emailajoke.com/ CTifer

You mention you're locked into 5 minute quarters… Not true. Go into Options, the Presentation (I think). I've found with 9 minute quarters I get around 85-100 points usually. Of course that depends on who you play with. My first season, I was with the C's and they were much more of a controlled offense. So I probably averaged more like 65-80 with them. Now with the OKC Thunder, it's much more run-and-gun.

Then again, I got this game for Christmas, so maybe a patch incorporated that.

And someone asked if there's in-game saves… Yes, there are.
http://www.emailajoke.com CTifer

You mention you're locked into 5 minute quarters… Not true. Go into Options, the Presentation (I think). I've found with 9 minute quarters I get around 85-100 points usually. Of course that depends on who you play with. My first season, I was with the C's and they were much more of a controlled offense. So I probably averaged more like 65-80 with them. Now with the OKC Thunder, it's much more run-and-gun.

Then again, I got this game for Christmas, so maybe a patch incorporated that.

And someone asked if there's in-game saves… Yes, there are.
chris

it seems inpossible to ever win in this mode. Doesn't matter how many we are up in the 4th quarter, they always seem to come back and other players (on my team) always leave their assignments wide open under the basket trying to cover mine. And my players, even the "stars" always seem to miss the wide open layups and jumpers in the 4th quarter. The player inbounding the ball is usually the SF. And I agree completely that it's way easier to lose grade than to pick up grade.
chris

it seems inpossible to ever win in this mode. Doesn't matter how many we are up in the 4th quarter, they always seem to come back and other players (on my team) always leave their assignments wide open under the basket trying to cover mine. And my players, even the "stars" always seem to miss the wide open layups and jumpers in the 4th quarter. The player inbounding the ball is usually the SF. And I agree completely that it's way easier to lose grade than to pick up grade.
Ryan

Does anyone know how to get the rating of your my player up faster? I have played all the drills, done really good on them, get A's for teammate grade and still can only get up to around a 47 overall. Im tired of playing in the NBDL and want to get into the NBA. Anyone have any advice?
sako

I have a question, when i add my skill points my overall rating is 71 for an example, but in my team information, there`s always -9 on my overall rating, and i cant figure out how to fix that, does anyone know how to stop getting minus on your overall rating in your team situational option?
tylerwilridge

i like being a forward because u can still play every position u want. I have no problems scoring. The only thing is i have trouble being consistent on the board.one game i get 20 and the next i get 2 so…. maybe its because its on the wii cause u hav to flick it up to rebound and it doesnt do it all the time. Plus sometimes on defence it seems impossible to stay in front of the dude he goes right through u. and sometimes on the fast break, i try to dunk and it stops straight in its tracks and u end up throwing up some rediculous shot. But preety good
chey

you gotta get like four or 5 a, a- or a+ games in a row and you will get a 10 day contract with an NBA team
mjs2332

i never was stuck in d-league i made the nba right away
Simon

It took me 3 attempts at this mode to get to the nba, the 1st and 2nd times i got put into the D-League but the bug keep coming up (dropped and re-added to team) even though i was getting A's each game, probably best to just restart then. Just make sure you get your player to training camp and then pick a team that has no player at your position or their ratings are crap. I picked the bulls since they had no SG and i made the team easy.
Jared

I started two player both point guards never once got cut to d league but there are many glitches in gameplay at least during my game i think in the beginning if you just do what they want(and score points) to get high grades you dont get cut. each time i was offered to sign with any team but stupidly too the 76ers both times because I am a die hard fan but the game is fun and gives you more freedom as you progress
tyler

i agree. my guy got sent down to the d league after playing one season with the hawks, even though he performed better than most people on the team. now ive played 20 games in the d league and cant get my guy back to the nba
kobe

good review, i hate the grading system like you mention in this article an opponent who scores on you doesnt make you a bad team mate
batmobile b6

JUST GO TO PRESENTATION BEFORE YOU PLAY YOUR NEXT GAME AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE QUARTER LENGTH
19justin90

Hey I just came across this post and wanted to say that My Player made it to the NBA after only 6 games in the D league. I played well and got almost all B's but 1 C and got cut from training camp with the NJ nets (im a SF btw). And now here I am 6 Games later playing for Portland. I should add i started my first game in the NBA!- So maybe its just you who can get called up? :S– Not trying to be an idiot or anything just sayin.
YoungProd1gy23

I have a 75 PG. I play for the Atlanta Hawks.Never went to the D-League. We are 40-16(1st Place). The Cavs traded Shaq for AK47(haha). I played in both the all-star game and rookies vs sophmores game. Mike Bibby was traded for Carl Landry (good trade).Jamal Crawford was traded for Troy Murphy (bad trade).I average 25.8 PPG,3.0 RPG,7.8 APG,3.2 SPG on 8min quarters.Season high in points was 58 against the Magic. Season high assists was 17 but i dont remember against who. Had a triple-double against the Celtics.
Dlberd012

yo let me join your crew
Wells

the qtrs arent locked go to presentation option youll find qtr length in there.
dylan

you can change quarter min. if u use draft combine. before downloading your guy, go to settings and change quarter length (can also change sliders, i dont though). this way you'll be able to get way better stats. if u wana' make a new draft combine player, delete that saved game in memory (not the one that says arcade game, the one that takes up like 800 mb is the right one). have fun
j-real

your a ringo whoever wrote this no lie i went though the training camp and made the nba off that never went to the d league mabye if you understood bball fundemantals you would be able to succeed at games get real man……
j-real

your a ringo whoever wrote this no lie i went though the training camp and made the nba off that never went to the d league mabye if you understood bball fundemantals you would be able to succeed at games get real man……
yesman

its called stamina not turbo. have you ever played in an actual basketball game? like a real one with refs? but i agree, i dont think the creators of the game play basketball either, which means theyd obviously forget important things about basketball. like the 5 mins quarters when the rest of the league is playing 12 min sim quarters. i dont wanna play 12 min quarters. id rather just make the rest of the league play 5 so that everyones stats are in proportion. every other team has way more of every stat and the only thing that my team is #1 in, is field goal percentage which is a lot easier to manage with 5 min quarters.
saqib

i play for atl hawks….how do i sign a contract wit them?
Christopher Walcott

Yeah, the team grade isn't fair and they make your guy so sucky, I'll miss wide open layups and jump shots… And another weird thing is I'll get cut after getting 24 PTS, 4 AST, and 5 STL and get signed by the same team… Still like the mode though
Patrick Ma

When starting my character I got A+ every single game up until Lakers training camp.

It's easy, just make lots of screens, pass a lot, and go for lay ups.
mcsilver

i hate this game for two reasons..twice i have completed a season and won the nba finals in my player mode not only with a different xbox and a different 2k10 game and twice after the season ends the damn thing just freezes! dnt know if anyone has had this problem but its really frustrating especially playing all those games for nothing!!!!!