Dime’s Definitive NBA 2K12 Preview: “My Player” Mode

We recently got rid of one of the city’s most beloved players, Gilbert Arenas, and now we’re building around young talent like John Wall, JaVale McGee, Nick Young, and Andray Blatche. How would you feel about coming in and not being a star right away? Could you take a back seat? Need some time to think about it?

This is just one of the many questions that you are forced to consider as you wind your way through the draft process in NBA 2K12‘s “My Player” mode.

Two weeks ago, we took a look at “NBA’s Greatest Mode,” a feature which allows you to play as some of the legendary teams from the past 50 years – complete with that era’s arenas and playing style. In the “My Player” mode, you have the opportunity make yourself go from a college standout to having your own customizable Jordans in no time.

“My Player” mode has streamlined all the customizable features of your player and his style in a way that might have been confusing in the past. You fancy yourself athletic? A defender? A three-point shooter? Well that’s the type of player you can choose to be. Given your style of play, you pick an array of different shot types, dribbling moves, and layup and dunk packages.

For instance, a forward or center can be a strong dunker, while a smaller guard often becomes something called a “rim-grazer.” Nearly every move is customizable, should you choose to tinker with your release or your crossover. The depth in facial features, tattoos and sneakers is also quite staggering. However, don’t be alarmed if you’re choosing between Nike Zoom Huarache 2K5s and Nike Zoom Soldier IIIs. Once you make it into the league, you’ll have the money to afford all of today’s newest models.

Once you’re all set with how your player looks and how he plays, you are thrust into the bright lights of Madison Square Garden to take on other created rookies in what is known as the “Rookie Challenge.” This is your major chance to show NBA scouts and GMs what you got before Draft Day.

Before tip-off, you’re given three objectives in order to build up your player’s “teammate grade.” For an athletic guard like myself, some of my tasks included dishing out three assists to three different players, and holding my man to a low field goal percentage. But nearly everything you do results in some sort of feedback. Moving the ball around the key that leads to a three can get you ball movement points. Helping out on defense builds up your rep even more. Your letter grade starts out as a “C” and depending on what you do in this game, you can jump from the lottery to the second round of the draft very quickly.

In terms of gameplay, I loved how well the “Rookie Challenge” was able to capture the hustle and tenacity of hopeful rookies, while not fictionally portraying them to be as skilled as NBA veterans. If you tip a pass, you’re seamlessly off to the races to get a bucket on the fastbreak. If you dribble around too much and then lose the ball, your player seems to become tired and frustrated. Remind you of anyone you know?

As I mentioned earlier, you go through a funny little pre-draft interview process with three different GMs to gauge whether or not you actually fit into that system. “Do you mind living in a less glamorous city like Indianapolis?” or “What will you do with your first paycheck?” are just some of the questions you’ll be asked. Your answer choices might just determine what team ends up taking you.

Then there’s the draft. A computerized David Stern comes to the podium and announces each pick as you anxiously await your name to be called. Once you come off the board, that’s when the fun really begins. You navigate contract negotiations, and all sorts of different drills, scrimmages and shootarounds. Your city even gives you your own billboard before your play your first game!

As the season starts, you start to build up your “Buzz.” This is a meter of how much your team and city appreciate what you’re doing. With enough buzz points and career reward points, you begin to become legendary. Take your team out to party or host charity events that help your league-wide popularity, it’s your call. It’s almost like the NBA meets The Sims. If only you could tweet!

While the gameplay and player features on NBA 2K12 are off the charts, the “My Player” mode allows to build yourself from the ground up in more ways than ever before. You can have a blast playing this game without actually playing a game, and that’s just one of the reasons you need to cop NBA 2K12 on October 4th.

Follow Mike on Twitter at @Mike_Aufses.

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