I remember when NBA 2K17 first dropped back in 2016 - the excitement was absolutely electric. As someone who's been playing basketball games since the early 2000s, I can confidently say this installment brought something special to the court. The graphics were mind-blowing for its time, and the gameplay felt smoother than ever before. But here's the thing that really got me - the MyCareer mode was revolutionary, letting you craft your own basketball legend from scratch. I probably spent over 200 hours just on that mode alone, no exaggeration.
Now, I know what you're thinking - finding the APK and OBB files for Android can be tricky business. From my experience, you need to be extremely careful about where you source these files. I've downloaded corrupted versions at least three times that either crashed on startup or had missing textures. The safe method involves getting both components - the APK installation file and the OBB data files - from reputable sources. The total download size typically ranges between 1.8 to 2.3 GB, which is substantial but absolutely worth it for the complete experience. What many people don't realize is that the OBB file contains most of the game's assets - without it, you're basically just installing an empty shell.
Let me walk you through what worked for me personally. First, I always check the file sizes - the APK should be around 45-50 MB while the OBB folder usually weighs in at about 1.7 GB. If you see numbers significantly different from these, that's a red flag. I learned this the hard way when I downloaded what claimed to be the complete package but turned out to be just 800 MB total. The game loaded, but players looked like bizarre, glitchy versions of themselves - it was honestly kind of terrifying seeing Stephen Curry with stretched-out limbs and no facial features.
The installation process requires some technical know-how, but it's not rocket science. You'll need to enable installation from unknown sources in your Android settings, which always makes me a bit nervous security-wise. That's why I recommend having a good antivirus installed beforehand - better safe than sorry. After installing the APK, you can't just open the game immediately like most apps. You need to place the OBB folder in the correct directory first - specifically in Android/obb/com.t2ksports.nba2k17 - otherwise you'll just get a black screen or immediate crash. I made this mistake my first time and spent hours thinking my phone couldn't handle the game.
Now, let's talk about performance. On my Samsung Galaxy S9, the game runs at about 52-57 FPS during gameplay with occasional drops during cutscenes. The load times vary between 15-25 seconds depending on the game mode. I've noticed that devices with at least 4GB RAM and a decent processor handle it best - anything less and you might experience some frustrating lag during intense moments. The touch controls are surprisingly responsive, though I personally prefer using a Bluetooth controller for that authentic console feel.
What continues to impress me about NBA 2K17 is how well it holds up years later. The graphics, while not quite matching today's standards, still look pretty damn good. The character models have this polished quality that many mobile games still struggle to achieve. And the soundtrack? Absolutely killer - with 47 tracks featuring artists like Kendrick Lamar and DJ Khaled, it perfectly captures that mid-2010s vibe. I find myself occasionally just leaving the game running in the background while I work, just for the music.
There are some limitations though - the Android version doesn't include all the features from the console editions. The MyTeam mode is somewhat stripped down, and you can't directly transfer progress between platforms. Also, the game hasn't received official updates since 2018, so don't expect any new content or roster updates. But considering you're getting what's essentially a full-fledged NBA experience in your pocket, these are minor compromises in my opinion.
The community around this game remains surprisingly active too. I've found numerous mods and roster updates created by dedicated fans that keep things fresh. Just last month I installed a 2023 roster mod that updated all the players and teams - it's incredible what passionate fans can accomplish. Though I should mention that modding does come with risks, and I've had to reinstall the entire game twice after incompatible mods caused crashes.
If you're a basketball fan looking for a deep, engaging mobile experience, NBA 2K17 delivers in spades. The attention to detail is remarkable - from player animations that mimic real-life stars to the authentic commentary that rarely repeats itself. Sure, it takes some effort to get it running properly on Android, and the file size might make you reconsider your storage situation, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. There's something magical about having a console-quality basketball game right there in your pocket, ready to play whenever the mood strikes. Just make sure you've got enough free time - because once you start that MyCareer journey, you might find hours slipping away faster than a Steph Curry crossover.
