The aim-meter 2K21 MT mechanic is actually difficult to grasp, but has led to some really satisfying one-on-one isolation successes. It's nice having the ability to use the ideal stick exclusively as a dribbling tool until I'm ready to pull back to get a shot. The ability to size-up, which is tied to special dribbling animations for many of the best players in the league, and isolate is much far better than ever. I spent a couple of hours experimenting with various playstyles, like facilitating the pick-and-roll with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. It's tremendously rewarding to utilize Doncic's size and footwork to create space - something I couldn't replicate with other guards on the group, such as Seth Curry. While it's not completely new, NBA 2K21's ability to entertain gamers' playstyles is outstanding this year.

That said, there are already a couple annoying gameplay issues I've come across, too. Fastbreaks seem marginally enhanced, but participant spacing continues to be clearly off. For instance, even my finest three-point shooters will monitor inside the three-point lineup on fast breaks when they would be better off locating space in the corner. In general, it feels like NBA 2K21 has not completely adapted to the accent modern NBA basketball has put on the three-point line. Quick catch-and-shoots aren't as prevalent as they should be, and closing out is still far too easy on protection.

Likewise frustrating is that the CPU's capacity to create problems for itself. It functioned as a jarring reminder I was not, in fact, experiencing a true sport of NBA basketball.

From a cursory glance, MyLeague appears to have received nearly zero updates. The mode has a decent set of features built into it already, but this is the second year in a row with no striking advancements. As somebody who loves to deep-dive into franchise building, it's really disappointing that there is so little Cheap NBA 2K21 MT effort being put into the mode.