Additions and changes[edit]
As well as the aforementioned new soundtrack and inclusion of EuroLeague teams (at the expense of the "Celeb" team, "Team USA", "Dream Team" and 2001–2002 Sacramento Kings classic squad),[10] several new changes have been made since 2K13:
"LeBron: Path to Greatness" mode, which is not found on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game, is reminiscent of a cut-down version of NBA 2K11's Jordan Challenge, where players get to control LeBron James' career in an alternate future of the NBA from the 2013–14 to the 2019–20 season as they attempt to win multiple rings (although his future is laid out by the game and choices are limited).[11]
New signature skills, including an exclusive pre-order "LeBron Coast to Coast" skill (Speed, Quickness and Ball-Handling attributes are boosted 4 points and the shot penalty enforced for hitting a defender is decreased), One Man Fastbreak (a speed and handling increase on a fastbreak), Pick Dodger (player doesn't get caught on screens), Tenacious Rebounder (increase in rebounding skill), Flashy Passer (less likelihood of a "flashy pass" going astray - see below), Screen Outlet/Pick & Roll Maestro (skills which give boosts in pick and roll situations).[12] a new way of passing by holding a trigger and pressing a control stick in the direction the player want to pass (includes blind passes).
The "potential" stat is now limited and restricts the overall level a player can grow to, rather than increasing as the player improves (as happened in previous NBA 2K titles). This seems like a minor change but it has severely limited the amount by which players' stats can improve in Association Mode (and fixes one of the most often requested Association Mode flaws; too many players turning into superstars in Association Mode).[13]
More than 50 hours of new commentary from Kevin Harlan, Clark Kellogg, and Steve Kerr,[14] new draft night audio and new "MyCareer" voiceovers.
A new "Training Camp" mode, which is there to guide players to master the new controls.
Training Drills now have their own menu in My Career mode, meaning players don't have to return to the main menu (and back again) to do multiple training sessions.
Always Online DRM added in patch requiring users to be connected to 2K servers to play MyCareer and MyGM modes. However, the patch is only available on the PS4 and the Xbox One versions of the game and not on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC versions of the game.[15]