Need help making the game more realistic/enjoyable

Picked up 2K25 since it was on sale. It’s my full return to the title after 2K19 and playing newer ones casually w/ friends.

I like playing MyGM and MyLeague but it feels much different from when I knew. Like I can’t play it without actually enjoying it like I did with old games. A few things that are annoying:

• I can’t find any good sim builds to make the game realistic. Everything I try the game still feels sluggish and bogged by animations.

• Difficulty doesn’t make the game more challenging, it just makes the AI’s shots fall in more.

• No graphical improvements. This game has been the same since it was updated for Xbox One / PS4

• Shot meter is terrible. I consistently take good shots, wide open or open, and miss everything if I’m slightly early or late.

Any tips, tricks, or suggestions are appreciated. Feeling like I wasted $20, but I hope this forum has something to help. TYIA