To get NBA 2K9 for free, you will generally need to look for "Abandonware" archives, as the game is no longer sold on digital storefronts like Steam.
Mention if you are using a (e.g., PS5, Xbox, Generic)
Use a program like DS4Windows or X360CE if your modern controller isn't recognized.
You may need to edit the config.cfg file in the game folder to force 1080p or 4K resolutions.
Most downloads come as an ISO file or a compressed ZIP folder.