![]() ![]() As a compliment to the complex mechanics available on offense, defense became much more of a chess match. Lockdown defenders like Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard stand out against weaker defenders. NBA 2K19 shines on the defensive end of the court thanks to tight controls and emphasis on player ratings. Thankfully, this only happens a couple of times every game, but it’s certainly jarring when the AI puts up such a good fight everywhere else. The AI also has a really bad tendency to hold onto the ball beyond the three-point line, even when time isn’t in its favor. Off-ball movement is actually pretty good, which makes it even more frustrating that players will work themselves open for a shot and never get to touch the ball. There have been instances, however, where the AI will actively avoid open players in order to get the ball to their superstar, which is a bit absurd. Guys like Karl-Anthony Towns dominate the paint with their athleticism while someone like Jonas Valanciunas will make you pay if you let him pop out of the pick and roll. The AI does a nice job of distributing the ball to its playmakers, which really accentuates how different every player feels. Even with guys like Russell Westbrook, who are traditionally phenomenal in transition, I’d find myself having to settle for a jumper instead of being able to get to the basket. There have been several instances where an easy transition dunk turns into my own teammate running right out in front of me and preventing that from happening. ![]() Despite playing as some of the best athletes in the world, the fast break still feels too slow to develop. Floor spacing is a little better but still underwhelming. While it’s an improvement over previous iterations, NBA 2K19 still struggles in transition. Pulling off a Steph Curry step-back jumper or a Lebron James fadeaway is really satisfying. For a game that is usually so naturally fluid with its motion, these hiccups are easy to spot. I’ve seen instances where the AI will start a dribble move only to bump right into a defender, carrying them all the way into a backcourt violation. A successful move leads to a beautiful animation that seems perfectly in tune with what you would see in any NBA game, but an unsuccessful attempt often results in your player running into the defender awkwardly. Unfortunately, the complex nature of the controls and movement system can lead to some really unflattering moments. Pulling off a Steph Curry step-back jumper or a Lebron James fadeaway is really satisfying, especially because of the work you need to put into learning them first. NBA 2K19 did an excellent job of rewarding me for taking the time to learn its various skill moves, including a complex post-game and set of dribbling techniques. Each time the buzzer rang, however, I felt myself getting a little better. (I actually found playing online against others who were struggling with the same things to be a better learning tool.) This year places a tremendous amount of emphasis on ball control and maximizing your players’ abilities. Even as a veteran of the series, I found myself getting pounded by the CPU on the default difficulty level as I relearned the old mechanics and adapted to a slew of defensive improvements that make dribble-drives much more difficult. Getting into the action isn’t as smooth as it could be because NBA 2K19 has a tougher learning curve than the series has in the past, one that rewards skill and punishes novice play. Its style is cramped a bit by a small number of persistent issues with AI behavior and obscene microtransactions in the MyPlayer mode, but other than that, NBA 2K19 is a high point for the series. NBA 2K19 builds upon its strong gameplay, fantastic presentation, and wide array of game modes to embody this attitude. On the court, it’s not just about the win or the loss, it’s about the way you look doing it. The glowing arenas, fashionable apparel and high speed of the game are all unmatched. Professional basketball has a sense of style that is unique to the world of sports. ![]()
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