If you’ve ever dreamed about running an NBA franchise or taking your favorite team through decades of basketball history, then you’ve probably spent some time in MyNBA mode. NBA 2K25 took this mode to a whole new level, and it’s not just hype.
I’ve been playing NBA 2K since back when the graphics were rough, and MyNBA (or the version that came before it) was just a basic franchise mode. Let me tell you, it’s come a long way since then. I’ve lived through every tweak and improvement, and NBA 2K25’s MyNBA mode is the culmination of years of fine-tuning.
The Early Days: When It Was Just “Franchise Mode”
Alright, let’s take it back to the beginning. Back in the day, before MyNBA was even a thing, we had what was simply known as Franchise Mode. This was your classic, no-frills mode where you controlled a team for multiple seasons, handled trades, and tried to win championships. There were no deep storylines, no crazy draft mechanics—just you, the roster, and the challenge of taking your team to the top.
I remember playing those early 2K games and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. You could draft rookies and make trades, not to mention that you can patch your team or discover the next start among the free agents. It was basic, but man, it was fun. Even with its simplicity, it scratched that itch of armchair GMs who want to put together a dream team.
Compared to today’s MyNBA mode, those early days seem so, well, primitive. But back then, it felt like we had all the control in the world. We didn’t even realize how much more complex and immersive things would get over the years.
Evolution to MyLeague and MyGM: Layers of Strategy
Fast forward a few years and 2K started adding layers to the franchise mode. They split it into MyLeague and MyGM modes. MyLeague was like Franchise Mode on steroids, giving you full control over every aspect of the league, while MyGM added a storyline element, making you manage the relationships and personalities in the front office.
I spent a lot of time in MyLeague. The customization options were insane. You could change the number of games in a season, tweak salary cap rules, adjust how trades worked—you could basically create your own league, tailored to how you wanted to play. MyGM was cool too, with more focus on the personal side of managing a team, but I was all about those deep, nerdy settings in MyLeague.
And then came MyNBA mode. At some point, it becomes viable for players who buy Xbox games. They took the best parts of MyLeague and MyGM, mashed them together, and gave players even more control. You could create entire eras, set up your own league rules, and manage every tiny detail of your franchise. It was like they took all our feedback over the years and built the ultimate team management mode.
MyNBA in NBA 2K25: A Whole New Level
So what’s new in NBA 2K25? Well, they took everything that was already great about MyNBA and made it even better. One of the biggest additions this year is the Eras feature. This lets you jump into different periods of NBA history and play through those seasons with the rosters, rules, and teams from that time. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, now is the perfect time to buy NBA 2K25 and experience the most immersive yet. Want to take over the Chicago Bulls during their ‘90s dynasty and see if you can do a better job than Phil Jackson? You can. Want to experience the early 2000s Lakers or the post-2000s rebuild Celtics? Go for it.
The cool thing about the Eras mode is that it doesn’t just slap the right players into the roster—it changes the whole feel of the game. The presentation, the style of play, the uniforms—it all feels authentic to the time. Even the commentators get in on it, talking about players and rivalries from that era. It’s honestly like stepping into a time machine and seeing what you can do with the team.
I’ve personally been obsessed with the ’80s era. I’ve always been fascinated by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and now I can finally see what it’s like to be the GM of the Celtics during their golden years. Plus, it’s a blast to see how certain draft picks play out. You get to make the call on whether you’d draft a young Michael Jordan, and trust me, it’s not as easy as it sounds when you’re thinking about building a whole team around him.