NBA 2K22: 5 major improvements fans want to see
![LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the LA Lakers in NBA 2K20 [Source: HoopsHype]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/08/ee753-16294612895027-800.jpg?w=500)
NBA 2K22 is set to release on September 10th, 2021, and we still haven't had any gameplay concept video or official trailer yet. Rumors suggest that 2K Sports is skipping the demo release as well to focus on the final product.
Given that we don't have any NBA action for another two months or so, fans and players are doubling down on the 2K22 hype. Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and several superstars have reacted to their ratings and generated buzz about whether 2K Sports have messed up the player ratings this year.
In fact, even the Chicago Bulls chimed in with their discontent regarding their star shooting guard, Zach LaVine's ratings.
2K Sports have downgraded the ratings of most star players this season. LeBron James started 2K21 with a 98 rating which eventually came down to 97 because of his injury, but he is starting NBA 2K22 with a 96 rating.
Similarly for Stephen Curry, who was the highest-rated player last year with 97, alongside James, but will start 2K22 with 96. Surprisingly, even the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic suffered a one-point downgrade from NBA 2K21.
That has, predictably, left fans upset at the game developers who are nerfing the stars whom fans love playing with. On that note, here's a look at five improvements or changes fans expect in NBA 2K22:
#1 NBA 2K needs to bring back the Jordan Challenges or have a separate feature to pick any iconic game
![Michael Jordan as seen in NBA 2K11 [Source: amazon.com.au/2K GAMES Store]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/08/cafbc-16294629801094-800.jpg)
An exciting feature in NBA 2K11 was the Jordan Challenges. A gamer had to complete a set of challenges that were essentially highlights of Michael Jordan's career.
For example, the first challenge, titled "The Arrival", is one where the gamer needed to recreate the 1986 NBA playoff game between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls and drop 63 points while shooting 50%+ from the field.
Another challenge is the 'Double Nickel', where the gamer had to recreate Jordan's 55-point outburst in Madison Square Garden and complete the goals like dropping 55+ points, shoot 55%+ from the field and win the game.
There were other challenges like the famous 'Flu Game', 'The Shrug' and 'Michael's Last Dance', and a few more. Gamers could walk in Michael Jordan's shoes and revisit some of the iconic moments of the Hall of Famer's career.
NBA 2K22 should absolutely bring back this feature, as it was a delight for fans.
Even if 2K Sports don't want to re-introduce the Jordan Challenges, one would love to drop 12 threes and the game-winner against OKC Thunder with Stephen Curry or score 60 points in their final NBA game like Kobe Bryant. Different versions of the MyTeam Challenges exist, but there should be a dedicated section where fans can simply pick and choose an iconic game they would want to revisit.
Getting the opportunity to play as your favorite player and doing what they did is something every 2K gamer would love.
#2 NBA 2K22 needs to add more Classic Teams
![Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers in NBA 2K20 [Source: NBA 2K]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/08/343ab-16294650854536-800.jpg)
It is flabbergasting to think that there is no version of the No. 24 Kobe Bryant in the Classic Teams section despite the LA Lakers going to three straight NBA Finals and winning two championships in 2009 and 2010.
The last LA Lakers' Classic Team is the 2003-04 squad with Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton and Karl Malone, but that was No. 8 Kobe Bryant. If anyone wants to play as one of the Black Mamba's Lakers teams, you cannot choose one without O'Neal and only pick the No. 8 version.
Don't get us wrong, No. 8 Kobe was a beast, but it is a massive disappointment that if someone wishes to play with the Paul Gasol and No. 24 Bryant, they cannot. The All-Time LA Lakers feature No. 24 Kobe, and that is it. Moreover, even the 2008-09 Orlando Magic that went to the NBA Finals is not there.
Every gamer will agree that NBA 2K needs to introduce more Classic Teams. We won't even get into the fact that legends like Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller are missing from the game because it's a lost cause at this point.
However, the fact that one cannot play with the 2010 Lakers or the 2009 Cavaliers is wrong. These are just some of the recent Classic teams that we have mentioned., But if we dig deeper into the history of the league, several great teams from the 1980s and 90s are also missing.
NBA 2K20 should also include the USA Olympic teams like the 1992 Dream Team or the 2008 Redeem Team.