Best Sports Sim around!!!
Let's start with the graphics, the players all more or less look like their real-life counter-parts. And it's not just the main stars of the NBA. Even a bench-ornament like Eddy Curry from the Knicks looks like himself in the game (actually he looks pretty disgusting when he's sweaty and behind a freethrow line...good job 2K sports!!!) The arenas look fantastic and so does the crowd. If you look closely you will notice people walking in and out of the arena, which only adds to the realism. My only gripe about the crowd is that they seem to always be on their feet and cheering like it's the seventh game of the NBA finals. But overall the graphics are wonderful.
If you're a b-ball purist and are in it for a SIM then this game is for you. The franchise mode or the "Association 2.0" is the best in any sports games (yes that includes Madden) It has tons of things to keep you busy when you're not playing the actual game. On the GM side you have to set your rosters, make deals, scout players that you may draft or pick up in free agency. The nice thing about the GM side of the house is that you're not the only one trying to make deals, the AI is constantly trying to make deals whether it be with one another or with your team. Adding to the realism is the addition of the "Bird Rule" and "No trade clauses" which deserves a big welcome. On the coaching standpoint you can train, develop, and also set your rotations. There's so much depth here that quite honestly I'm a little tired of talking about the Association 2.0 just trust me when I say that there's a whole lot to do!!!
On the flip side if you only have 15 minutes to play and just want to get a quick game in there's "Blacktop" mode. There's pick-up games, three-point shootout, and even a dunk contest. Trying to jump over a car while making a windmill dunk is one of the cooler things that I've seen in a while. Overall the Blacktop mode like Eva Longoria is short and sweet.
The online portion of the game let's you play, share files, and even provide up to the minute roster updates (Which much hasnt happened since the season hasn't started yet) Getting back to the sharing, you can once again use the 2K Reelmaker, make your own highlights and share them with everybody else on the network. I've seen some of the highlights and they look like the real thing even though it's probably some 14 year old in his parents basement putting it together. You can really participate in the 2K9 community and it's not just by playing games.
Overall this game is one of the if not THE best sport sims out there. It may be a little hard at first but a true gamer will realize that the more they play the better it gets!!! GO GET THE GAME!!!