As a lifelong basketball fan who's spent countless hours on virtual courts, I've always found NBA 2K games to be more than just digital entertainment—they're virtual basketball ecosystems that capture the essence of the sport. Having followed real-world players like Ginebra's Jamie Malonzo and Scottie Thompson, I can't help but appreciate how the game developers translate such dynamic players into digital form. The evolution of this franchise has been remarkable, with each installment bringing something new to the table while maintaining that core basketball simulation that keeps fans like me coming back year after year.
When I first played NBA 2K14, I remember being blown away by the graphical leap, but it's the recent entries that truly showcase how far the series has come. The gameplay in NBA 2K23 feels incredibly responsive, with player movements that mirror real athletes. I've noticed how the game captures unique player tendencies—watching Scottie Thompson's energetic plays for Ginebra reminds me of how well the game replicates such hustle players. The dribbling mechanics have seen significant improvements too, with over 5,000 new animations added since NBA 2K20 according to the developers. What really stands out to me is the shot timing system—it's challenging but rewarding when you master different players' release points. The defensive AI has become smarter too, making you work for every basket rather than relying on cheese strategies that plagued earlier versions.
The variety of modes available is staggering. My personal favorite remains MyCareer, where you create your own player and guide them from rookie to superstar. The storytelling has improved dramatically, though I'll admit some of the plotlines can get a bit cheesy. The Neighborhood concept they introduced around NBA 2K18 has evolved into this vibrant social space where players interact, compete, and show off their hard-earned gear. Then there's MyTeam, which is essentially basketball's answer to fantasy sports meets card collecting. I've probably sunk over 200 hours into this mode alone across different versions. Franchise mode enthusiasts will appreciate the depth of management options available, letting you control every aspect of your team from trades to training facilities. What's impressive is how these modes interconnect—performing well in one can sometimes benefit your progress in others.
Looking at specific titles, NBA 2K16 revolutionized the series with Spike Lee's directed story mode, while NBA 2K11 brought Michael Jordan properly into the mix for the first time. In my opinion, NBA 2K19 struck the perfect balance between accessibility and depth, though many fans swear by NBA 2K13's smoother gameplay. The incorporation of real basketball strategies is what sets these games apart—you can't just run isolation plays every time down the court and expect to win against higher difficulties. The game forces you to think like a real coach, setting screens, calling plays, and making defensive adjustments. It's this strategic depth that keeps the experience fresh even after hundreds of games.
What continues to amaze me is how the developers manage to capture the spirit of basketball culture beyond just the on-court action. The soundtracks consistently feature emerging artists alongside established names, creating this perfect backdrop that mirrors the energy of actual NBA broadcasts. The commentary team of Kevin Harlan, Greg Anthony, and Clark Kellogg provides such authentic coverage that I sometimes forget I'm playing a game. Their dynamic reactions to in-game events and player-specific insights add layers of immersion that few sports games achieve.
Having played nearly every installment since the Dreamcast era, I believe the series truly hit its stride around NBA 2K17, though recent entries have pushed technological boundaries with stunning visuals and more realistic physics. The introduction of the WNBA in NBA 2K20 was a welcome addition that expanded the basketball experience beyond the men's league. While microtransactions have become more prevalent, the core basketball experience remains exceptional. For newcomers, I'd recommend starting with NBA 2K23 despite its steep learning curve, as it represents the most polished version of the formula the developers have been refining for over two decades. The beauty of this series lies in how it caters to different play styles—whether you're a casual fan wanting quick exhibition games or a hardcore enthusiast looking to manage every aspect of a franchise.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
