NBA 2K11 features a story centered around Michael Jordan's career, with four modes designed to challenge the player in recreating his real-life performances. The game includes various gameplay mechanics such as dribbling controls, shot stick, and face buttons for pass/fake/shot controls. The "My Player" mode allows players to create a new rookie and take him through a career in the NBA, where they will handle their character both on and off the court. The game features RPG-style stats and limited elements like talking to the press, communicating with coaches, and gaining product endorsements. Players are expected to play their role on the team and are graded and rewarded as such.
The "Association" mode allows players to manage a team as both coach and GM, giving control over scouting, assigning players, negotiating salaries, and other aspects of team management. The game puts an emphasis on team chemistry and player egos, and players can use an existing NBA team as a template or create their own.
Online features include forming clubs and leagues, where club stats are tracked and leaderboards show the ranking of the teams. Leagues are dedicated multiplayer simulations of seasons, from draft to finals. Players join and battle other players to take their team to the top.
The final major new feature for NBA 2K11 is the "NBA Today 2.0" system, which features live NBA news and game results streamed online. The living roster system updates player stats and injuries, while also improving the game's presentation with dynamic crowds, chants, and commentary.
The game features revised dribbling controls, allowing players to perform fancy moves such as crossovers, hesitations, and behind-the-back moves. Players can use combinations of stick and trigger moves to control their shot, drive to the basket, or switch hands while playing defense.
NBA 2K11 is available on Xbox 360 and was released on October 5, 2010.