A game that is at once both innovative and frustrating. It really feels like college basketball--sometimes.
The computer is rarely smart enough to come back and help you get out of a trap during a full court press, defenders don't often close out on three point shooters enough, and the game rarely knows when the best time for a bounce pass or a chest pass is. Basically, while it's easier to pass into coverage than it's ever been, it's still very risky.
Going for steals is a bit more realistic with the right analogue stick, but players animations still don't make a lot of sense sometimes. Why a player would swipe at air with his left hand when the ball is closer to his right hand never makes sense. Oh, and note to developers: if you're going to include a pump fake button, then don't assume I'm not going to use it in the low post. I get so tired of seeing guys take flailing turn around jumpers when I tapped for a pump fake.
Props to 2K Sports for innovating the menu system as well, but I lost 3 games during my season because I clicked the main menu button on accident and got no prompt asking me if I was sure I wanted to exit my Legacy mode. Not a very good time as one of my players had just won player of the week for the first time.
Finally, the commentary is better than it used to be, but sometimes it's just lame. Bad puns and rhymes, but without any of the irony that you get from the guys who do it well. Plus, true to form, the sideline reporting is bogus and wooden. In all, this may be one of the best console hoops games I've played, but it's the old uncanny valley at work. When everything starts working the way you expect it to, the stuff that isn't working at all starts to really grind on you.
Rent it, enjoy it for what it is and what it promises for the next couple of years, but be prepared for a little frustration.