I’m just overall curious what your guys experience is after this update?

I haven’t played a ton since this patch went live. Trying not to go off of anecdotal evidence. Sometimes when patches go live everyone takes a placebo paranoia this or that has changed for the worse etc.

It seems like to me:
• defense hasn’t changed as much as the update implied.
• passing was always janky, but more frustrating things are happening and the ball is randomly thrown into a turnover.
• not sure if moving off ball while a pass is coming (other than that being pulled away bug) affects the accuracy of the pass coming(?)
• goaltending for me is harder, but others can still spam it. weird.

Anything else you guys are noticing? Like it’s super evident?

Player Specific Changes:

• Added new jerseys for all confirmed traded players w/ default jerseys unlocked 
• Updated speed and reworked Darryn Peterson left and right advanced tricks
• Updated Devin Booker jersey to #15 to reflect latest number for 2026-27 season 
• Updated Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball’s Timberwolves jersey to reflect 2026-27 season jersey 

Balancing:

• AJ Dybantsa’s ratings were reduced in 3’s, handles, steals and aura
•Darryn Peterson’s ratings were reduced in stamina and handles
• Cameron Boozer’s ratings were reduced in stamina, 3’s, and rebound
• Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Zone Ability changed to Amped Up
• Lebron James’ Zone Ability was changed to Dropping Dimes
• LeBron James’ ratings were boosted in stamina, 3’s, handles, steal, aura and reduced in block
• Jaylen Brown’s ratings were boosted in 2’s and guard

Gameplay Changes

• Extended near hoop dead zone and reduced block jump height boost to reduce goaltending
• Limit to players blocking effectiveness when behind the shooter
• Made it harder to steal from a player after they pump fake
• Angle and reach of Intercept reduced
• Reduced speed of stealer
• Reduced reach range of stealer
• Angle and reach of Intercept reduced
• Near immunity from up-close Intercepts extended
• Extended ball pick up for a blocked player to give the blocker a better chance to gain possession
• AI Bots with a lower block rating will now attempt blocks
• AI Bots will no longer spam steals
• Increased movement speed boost while In The Zone
• Reduced the chances for failing all dunk types across all level of dunkers
• Increased jump height of rebounders to give rebounders a chance versus putback dunks
• Tuned Progression & XP CRED performance bonuses

Visual Changes

• New animations for putback dunks
• New block & advanced block animations 

User Interface Changes

• Added Leaderboards for KO Squads & KO Solos 
• Added Emoji Wheel to Front End for post-game interactions 
• Updated Player Nameplate visuals across the game 
• Fixed formatting issues for all Rulesets so that presentation is now consistent 

Stats Updates

• Performance bonuses now include additional baller stat data

Audio Updates

• Added “call for pass” VO callout
• Audio support for Emoji Comms Wheel actions

MY OPINION

• The Good: Great all around quality of life update. Great to have access to all current jerseys. Glad to see the rookies (AJ!!!) nerfed. I don’t think they overdid it. Time will tell there. GOALTENDING nerf alone is incredible. Emoji wheel is awesome for communicating with fills after runs. Giannis got a better ITZ ability imo. LeBron (assuming lakers or they’d say rookie LeBron) buffs are kinda wild. He lost the best ability in the game, and blocks slightly(?) rating…but seems as strong as ever regardless. AI improvements, leaderboards is cool. Like the rebounding buff.

• The Bad: No new players. All 5 coming in September instead. Could’ve done half now and half later. NO DRIVE CAM yet. Pretty sure the originally said August, massive L. Defensive nerfs: if done correctly, that’s great. I’m worried about the block from behind making contesting dunks much harder. I want defense to matter but not be destroyed for gimmick layups and shit. Leaderboards are awesome but it seems like a clean slate starting now. Kinda wack, they might fix that.

• Overall: Glad this went live randomly. Excited for season 1. That’s when the game will truly peak.

What’s dropping today:

• Leaderboards are finally here. Rank yourself (or your friends) in KO Squads and Solos across wins, win %, trophies, blocks, dunks, threes, and more. Top 3 get the bronze/silver/gold spots.

• New team jerseys for LeBron, Giannis, LaMelo, Ja, and Jaylen Brown. Ant also gets the new Wolves jersey and Booker has his new number. Old team jerseys are still available if you prefer them.

• Player rating + In the Zone updates for some of the moved guys and the rookies.

• Emoji Wheel in the lobby so you can actually communicate with your Crew (ready up, need a break, leaving, etc.).

• New animations: blocking dunks, putback dunks off rebounds, better blocks overall, and a reworked Advanced Spin for Darryn Peterson.

• Big balance/tuning pass on goaltending, steals, interceptions, rebounding, blocks, dunk consistency, In the Zone, and more. Full notes come with the patch.

Looking ahead (Season 1 in September)

They’re also confirming the first season is coming with:
• 5 NBA Legends (unique animations/likeness)
• Drive Camera
• Practice Mode (solo or with friends, no rewards/stats)
• Championship Belt system
• New court (Dyckman Park day/night)
• New ruleset “All The Fire”
• More dunks/taunts in the shop

Update is live in a couple hours. Let’s get it.

I DM’d the best (in my opinion) NBA the Run YouTuber with my ITZ Rework and this is him breaking it down. His channel is super underrated, I’d definitely recommend checking him out. He has a very technical understanding of the game and mechanics.

Everyone knows the (meta) top picked guys.

Outside of that group, who do you guys think are completely slept on? Players that you hardly see others running with.

Assuming they only have access to the rights of “current” NBA players.

Who do you want to see a prime version drop of?

Here are my ideas:

• Timberwolves Kevin Love
• Thunder Westbrook
• Bucks Jrue Holliday
• Pacers Paul George
• Clippers DeAndre Jordan
• Bulls Jimmy Butler
• Warriors Klay Thompson
• Hawks Al Horford
• Nets Brook Lopez
• Raptors DeMar Derozan

Honorable Mentions: (OKC) Jeff Green, (POR/CHO) Nicolas Batum, (MEM) Mike Conley, (HOU) Eric Gordon.

Already in game ideas:

• Rockets James Harden
• Pelicans Anthony Davis
• Heat LeBron
• Spurs or Raptors Kawhi