NBA 2K22: 5 major improvements fans want to see

#3 Perimeter defense and crossovers need to improve in NBA 2K22

Allen Iverson with the Philadelphia 76ers in NBA 2K [Source: IGN]

It is true that in basketball, great offense will always trump great defense, but perimeter defense in recent NBA 2K versions was heavily nerfed. Be it Jrue Holiday or Gary Payton, Kawhi Leonard or Scottie Pippen, the smallest of guards will blow by them. The 'Clamps' badge will certainly show up, but many gamers would agree that it is meaningless.

2K Sports need to improve its perimeter defense in NBA 2K22 and not make it such that every guard has his way in the game. Some of these players were excellent perimeter stoppers in their day. If I'm picking legends like Payton or Pippen, I expect to get defensive stops and not stand around while everyone blows by me or implausibly breaks my ankles.

Moreover, part of the reason why perimeter defenders now look foolish is that the crossover animation in NBA 2K is wildly over the top in any difficulty mode. A simple behind the back or between-the-legs crossover would land the ball-handler almost three to four feet away from the defender, which is simply unrealistic.

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#4 NBA 2K22 needs to add the 3-point and Slam Dunk Contest in the Play Now section

NBA 2K20 Play Now Section as seen on a PS4 [Source: PlayStation LifeStyle]

If you get a chance to enter a three-point contest with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Duncan Robinson, James Harden, Joe Harris and Damian Lillard, wouldn't you do it?

The easiest way to play the three-point or slam dunk contest is entering 'My League' and playing the regular season to eventually participate in the All-Star game events. Sure, one can skip the first half of the season and go straight to the All-Star game, but wouldn't it be easier to just include these hyped up competitions in the Play Now section in NBA 2K22?

The Top 3PT shooters in 2K22 🔋Agree or nah? #2KRatings pic.twitter.com/2OSCH6lD2c

— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 18, 2021

Similarly, for the Slam Dunk Contest, everyone would love to play with Zion Williamson and go head-to-head with Zach LaVine or see LeBron James for the first time in the competition and have him compete against Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady.

The Top Dunkers in 2K22 💪 Agree or nah? #2KRatings pic.twitter.com/CsKiXoNndt

— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 18, 2021

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#5 NBA 2K22 needs to add celebrities courtside

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and J Cole (from left to right) sitting courtside in an NBA game.

A major part of the hype around the NBA are the celebrity attractions and all the fame and glamor that comes with it.

If I'm playing an NBA Finals game at the Staples Center, I would expect to see Jay-Z or Denzel Washington courtside. Understandably, adding every celebrity fan is far-fetched, and 2K Sports might not be able to get licenses for everyone. But we can certainly expect to see Jack Nicholson at Staples Center or Spike Lee at the Madison Square Garden in NBA 2K22.

They are some of the biggest fans of the NBA, and certainly deserve a spot in the league's biggest video game. Surely Drake would love to see his virtual self sitting courtside in a Toronto Raptors game, or similarly Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart for their hometown franchises. It's not a major improvement required in NBA 2K22, but would be certainly a fun one.

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