Admittedly, I actually skipped last year’s NBA 2K16. Part of that stemmed from my unusually busy schedule, but it was also hard for me to get excited about the then-upcoming NBA season. At the time, it felt weird not to have Visual Concepts’ acclaimed franchise to play, but perhaps the year off did me some good. It allowed me to approach this year’s release, NBA 2K17, with a renewed interest in both the franchise and the sport. There’s still a good chance come June 2017 we’re watching Warriors/Cavaliers again, but at least I can change that outcome in the game.

Despite having no competition from NBA Live this year, Visual Concepts wasn’t interested in sitting on their laurels, and so the gameplay in NBA 2K17 has received several noticeable changes. With the exception of dunks, every shot you take in the game is now measured by a timing meter.