The PS3 version sometimes locks language to the PSN account region.
If you are playing the Steam version and the config file edit didn't work (or the file keeps reverting), you can force the language via Steam launch parameters.
Changing the language in NBA 2K11 is not nearly as seamless as modern 2K titles. The game was released in 2010, during a transition period where developers inconsistently supported multi-language interfaces.
The golden rule for PC players: Don’t waste time clicking through foreign menus. Go straight to %AppData%\2K Sports\NBA 2K11\Saves\, open Config.cfg with Notepad, and set LANGUAGE = 1. Then set the file to Read-Only.
For console players: deleting your System Settings file is the nuclear but effective option—just be aware you will lose your camera angles, controller settings, and volume preferences (but not your My Player career).
If all else fails, remember that the original discs from certain regions (e.g., a Russian disc or a Japanese import) may have the language hard-locked. In that case, your only true "fix" is to acquire a copy from an English-speaking region (North America or UK).
Now, get back on the court, lead the 2010-2011 Bulls to glory, and enjoy the best basketball game ever made—in the language you actually understand.
Have a different fix that worked for you? Share it in the comments below to help the NBA 2K11 community keep this classic alive.
