# NBA 2K17
**NBA 2K17** is a basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports, released on September 20, 2016 as the 18th installment of the annual [NBA 2K](https://www.edgepedia.org/nba-2k) series.[1](https://gameinformer.com/games/nba_2k17/b/playstation4/archive/2016/06/01/paul-george-is-nba-2k17-39-s-cover-athlete.aspx) • [2](https://2kcommunity.com/on-this-day) Indiana Pacers All-Star Paul George fronts the standard edition cover, and [Kobe Bryant](https://www.edgepedia.org/kobe-bryant) fronts the Legend Edition released in honor of his retirement.[1](https://gameinformer.com/games/nba_2k17/b/playstation4/archive/2016/06/01/paul-george-is-nba-2k17-39-s-cover-athlete.aspx) • [3](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a) The game received a Metacritic metascore of 88 on [PlayStation 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-4) from 47 critic reviews, against a mixed user score of 6.5 from 374 user ratings.[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-2k17/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / publisher | Visual Concepts / 2K Sports[1](https://gameinformer.com/games/nba_2k17/b/playstation4/archive/2016/06/01/paul-george-is-nba-2k17-39-s-cover-athlete.aspx) |
| Release | September 20, 2016; September 16 for pre-order customers through Early Tip-Off[2](https://2kcommunity.com/on-this-day) • [5](https://nba2kw.com/10-things-we-know-about-nba-2k17) |
| Cover athletes | Paul George (standard edition, revealed June 1, 2016); Kobe Bryant (Legend Edition, announced April 13, 2016)[1](https://gameinformer.com/games/nba_2k17/b/playstation4/archive/2016/06/01/paul-george-is-nba-2k17-39-s-cover-athlete.aspx) • [3](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a) |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows PC, iOS[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-2k17/) |
| Prices | Standard edition $59.99; Legend Edition $79.99 (PS4 and Xbox One only)[3](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a) |
| Reception | Metacritic 88 (PS4, 47 critics); user score 6.5 (374 ratings)[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-2k17/) |
## Cover athletes and editions
2K announced on April 13, 2016, the day of Bryant's final NBA game, that the 18-time All-Star would appear on the cover of the NBA 2K17 Legend Edition, celebrating his 20-year career with the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.edgepedia.org/los-angeles-lakers).[3](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a) The Legend Edition includes physical items (a limited-edition Kobe poster, two Kobe Panini trading cards, and a Black Mamba controller skin) and digital content including 30,000 Virtual Currency, a MyTEAM Bundle+ with a guaranteed limited-use Kobe card, Nike Kobe 11 retirement shoes, a Kobe #8 Mitchell and Ness jersey, and a Kobe hoodie.[3](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a) It was his second NBA 2K cover appearance, after 2010.[3](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a) • [7](https://www.gottabemobile.com/nba-2k17-release-date-cover-athletes-more/)
[Paul George](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-george) was revealed as the standard edition cover athlete on June 1, 2016, his first solo appearance on an NBA 2K cover, after previously starring on the MyNBA2K16 companion app.[1](https://gameinformer.com/games/nba_2k17/b/playstation4/archive/2016/06/01/paul-george-is-nba-2k17-39-s-cover-athlete.aspx) • [8](https://worthplaying.com/article/2016/6/2/news/99614-nba-2k17-all-cover-athlete-announced/) The announcement paralleled his return to form in the 2015-16 season, in which he averaged a career-best 23.1 points per game.[8](https://worthplaying.com/article/2016/6/2/news/99614-nba-2k17-all-cover-athlete-announced/)
## Release and editions
The official release date was September 20, 2016, with pre-order customers receiving the game on September 16 through the Early Tip-Off promotion, which also granted 5,000 Virtual Currency and three MyTeam packs guaranteeing a Paul George card.[5](https://nba2kw.com/10-things-we-know-about-nba-2k17) • [7](https://www.gottabemobile.com/nba-2k17-release-date-cover-athletes-more/) The standard edition sold for $59.99 on PlayStation 4, [PlayStation 3](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-3), [Xbox One](https://www.edgepedia.org/xbox-one), Xbox 360, and Windows PC; the Legend Edition cost $79.99 and was limited to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[3](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a)
## Gameplay changes
The most visible on-court change was a redesigned shot meter: instead of releasing at the center point of the meter as in previous years, the goal became releasing when the meter was completely filled.[9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj) Shot percentages were higher across the board, and the ratings system added attributes that differentiate open shots from contested shots and off-dribble shots, replacing the older moving and standing shot categories.[9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj) A "dynamic duo" concept boosted attributes when designated player pairings, such as [Stephen Curry](https://www.edgepedia.org/stephen-curry) and [Klay Thompson](https://www.edgepedia.org/klay-thompson), played together.[9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj)
Reviewers noted improvements on defense: a new steal mechanic made it easier to poke the ball away when a handler left his dribble exposed, the Intense-D mechanic was nerfed, AI defenders intercepted errant passes more intelligently, and the physics engine no longer passed the ball through defenders.[10](https://www.xfdrmag.net/nba-2k17-review/) A new tutorial mode called 2KU was added for newcomers, though reviewers criticized it for interrupting play with basic tips and called it poorly designed.[9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj)
## Modes
**MyCareer.** The narrative career mode was written and directed by Aaron Covington, screenwriter of *[Creed](https://www.edgepedia.org/creed-film)*, with [Michael B. Jordan](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-b-jordan) playing Justice Young, a teammate and fellow rookie who bonds with the player's character. The story began with the rookie season rather than being isolated from the traditional career, and a free downloadable "Prelude" covering a college portion with 10 licensed universities determined draft position.[9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj)
**MyGM and MyLeague.** The franchise modes debuted league expansion, allowing custom leagues to grow to 36 teams with an expansion draft; expansion teams could be custom created or chosen from pre-built options, and could be added during the offseason of an existing league.[7](https://www.gottabemobile.com/nba-2k17-release-date-cover-athletes-more/) • [9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj) New options included a "Start Today" feature opening a franchise with current rosters and records, returning Playoff Mode, Advanced Rotations for managing minutes, and a MyLeague Online mode progressing season to season with a "keepers" contract system.[9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj)
**Guest teams.** The [1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team](https://www.edgepedia.org/1992-united-states-mens-olympic-basketball-team), the "Dream Team" including [Michael Jordan](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-jordan), Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and [Christian Laettner](https://www.edgepedia.org/christian-laettner), was included as downloadable content free with pre-orders; Barkley and Laettner had not appeared in an NBA 2K game before. The 2016 USA Basketball Men's Team and the Australian Boomers were also available.[7](https://www.gottabemobile.com/nba-2k17-release-date-cover-athletes-more/)
## Reception
The PlayStation 4 version holds a Metacritic metascore of 88, based on 47 critic reviews, with 100 percent of reviews positive; the user score sits at 6.5 from 374 ratings.[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-2k17/) GameSpot scored it 9 ("Superb"), praising the sense of teamwork in setting up alley-oops and key shots, while criticizing a training mode that felt more like a primer than a full tutorial.[11](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nba2k17-review/1900-6416524/) Sporting News found the game delivering in nearly every area but noted that, following the widely praised [NBA 2K16](https://www.edgepedia.org/nba-2k16), there was less new content and some regression, including fouls that felt extreme and AI trouble with screens.[9](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj) User complaints centered on foul frequency, slow fastbreaks, and the Virtual Currency economy.[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-2k17/)
## Online services and legacy
2K shut down the game's online servers around December 2018, roughly two years after release, ending online modes such as MyPark and Pro-Am.[6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4rBMbmSRZo) The game retains a favorable reputation among players; retrospective commentary frequently cites its gameplay, and Spanish-language coverage of later entries recalled NBA 2K17 fondly for its gameplay.[4](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-2k17/) • [12](https://as.com/meristation/2021/09/21/analisis/1632233992_712845.html)
## References
1. [Paul George Is NBA 2K17's Cover Athlete, Game Informer](https://gameinformer.com/games/nba_2k17/b/playstation4/archive/2016/06/01/paul-george-is-nba-2k17-39-s-cover-athlete.aspx)
2. [On This Day in NBA 2K History, 2KCommunity](https://2kcommunity.com/on-this-day)
3. [Kobe Bryant's Legacy Lives On in NBA 2K17 Legend Edition, Take-Two Interactive press release](https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/af0ee1a5-e02b-4255-9327-1e33c956bd6a)
4. [NBA 2K17 Reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-2k17/)
5. [10 Things We Know About NBA 2K17, NBA 2KW](https://nba2kw.com/10-things-we-know-about-nba-2k17)
6. [So I Hopped Back on NBA 2K17 Before the Servers Shutdown, LaMonsta (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4rBMbmSRZo)
7. [NBA 2K17 Release Date: Cover Athletes & More, Gotta Be Mobile](https://www.gottabemobile.com/nba-2k17-release-date-cover-athletes-more/)
8. [NBA 2K17 Cover Athlete Announced, Worthplaying](https://worthplaying.com/article/2016/6/2/news/99614-nba-2k17-all-cover-athlete-announced/)
9. [Review: NBA 2K17 adapts to the changing landscape of the league, Sporting News](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/review-nba-2k17-2k-sports/c1bm7kc5g27m1is5t18focebj)
10. [NBA 2K17 Review, Crossfader](https://www.xfdrmag.net/nba-2k17-review/)
11. [NBA 2K17 Review, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nba2k17-review/1900-6416524/)
12. [NBA 2K22, análisis PS5, MeriStation (AS.com)](https://as.com/meristation/2021/09/21/analisis/1632233992_712845.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Basketball and court team sports › Court sports in media, games, and culture*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license