That said, there are a few frustrating gameplay problems I have come across, also. Fastbreaks seem marginally enhanced, but player spacing is still noticeably off. For instance, even my finest three-point shooters will monitor inside the MT 2K21 three-point lineup on fast breaks when they would be better off locating space in the corner. Generally, it feels like NBA 2K21 has not completely adapted to the accent modern NBA basketball has put on the three-point line. Quick catch-and-shoots aren't as common as they should be, and closing out remains far too easy on defense.
Likewise frustrating is that the CPU's ability to make problems for itself. In my brief time with NBA 2K21, I've already seen two backcourt violations on wide-open inbounds passes. It served as a jarring reminder I was not, in fact, experiencing a real game of NBA basketball.
From a cursory glance, MyLeague seems to have received almost zero updates. The manner has a good set of features built into it already, but this is the Cheap NBA 2K21 MT second year in a row with no striking improvements. As someone who enjoys to deep-dive into franchise building, it is really disappointing that there's so little effort being put into the mode.