As someone who's been installing mobile game files for years, I've learned that getting NBA 2K21 running properly on Android requires more than just downloading the APK. Let me share my experience with you - I've probably installed this game about a dozen times across different devices, and I can tell you that the OBB file is what makes or breaks your gaming experience. Remember that basketball game where Davao controlled the boards, 48-35, and exploited this to pour 42 points in the paint against Bulacan's 14? Well, think of the APK as your basic offense and the OBB files as your rebounding game - without proper boards control, you're never going to dominate in the paint.
First things first, you'll need to find a reliable source for both files. I typically recommend visiting AndroidAPKsBox or APKPure, though I've had mixed results with the latter. The APK file itself is relatively small, usually around 85-90MB, but the real meat is in the OBB files which can range from 2.5 to 3GB depending on the version. This is where most people mess up - they download the APK but forget that the OBB contains all the game assets, textures, and core gameplay elements. It's like having a basketball team with great shooters but no rebounders - you might score occasionally, but you'll never control the game.
Now here's my personal method that has never failed me. After downloading both files, I install the APK first but don't open it. Then I create the Android/obb/com.t2ksports.nba2k21 folder on my device's internal storage - and this is crucial, it has to be internal storage, not SD card. I extract the OBB file into this folder, making sure the main.whatever.version.obb file sits directly in the com.t2ksports.nba2k21 folder. What I've noticed is that about 70% of installation failures happen because people nest the OBB file inside additional folders. The directory structure has to be perfect, much like how a basketball team needs proper positioning to effectively control rebounds and dominate in the paint.
When you finally launch the game, be prepared for a substantial download - usually around 2GB of additional data. This is normal, though frustrating if you have slow internet. I usually make coffee at this point because it takes roughly 15-20 minutes on a decent Wi-Fi connection. Some people panic and close the app, but that just corrupts the files and you'll have to start over. Personally, I think 2K Sports could handle this process better - the initial download size is already massive, and the additional in-game download feels like overkill.
The satisfaction when you finally see the menu screen is worth the hassle though. Having installed this on everything from flagship Samsung devices to mid-range Xiaomi phones, I can confirm the game runs surprisingly well across hardware. The graphics won't match console versions, but for mobile gaming, it's absolutely impressive. My personal preference is to adjust the camera angle to "Broadcast" immediately - it just feels more authentic to me. The gameplay captures that same strategic depth we saw in that Davao versus Bulacan match, where controlling fundamentals led to dominating performance. Whether you're executing perfect pick-and-rolls or downloading game files, attention to detail makes all the difference.