It’s been sometime since I was a dedicated 2k player; years of missing point blank lay ups for no reason got to me and I gave up on the game entirely in the early 2010’s. However, 2k is one of those means by which a huge number of younger fans interact with the NBA. For some, it might be the primary way.
Which would be fine if the game were more than a funhouse mirror look at the league. I’ve been told that it’s improved a great deal. Rick Carlisle has some sort of coaching rating card that labels him specifically as the number one coach who doesn’t have patience for rookies.