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Monday Tip-Off: And The Adventure Continues…in NBA 2K14

Monday Tip-Off: And The Adventure Continues...in NBA 2K14

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with a look at how the adventure of my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER continues, and my future goals with the mode.

On the NLSC Podcast, Dee4Three observed that he hasn’t seen anyone warm up to a game as quickly and enthusiastically as I have with NBA 2K14. It’s a fair statement! There are other games that I’ve developed more of an appreciation for, but few of them have gone from “I accept it’s good, but it’s not for me” to “This is one of my all-time favourite games” the same way that NBA 2K14 has. I don’t know if it’s nostalgia for a era in the NBA I liked better, the fact that it’s one of the last games that came out when I was in my 20s, or my lukewarm reaction to NBA 2K22, but that’s how I feel.

Actually, that’s selling the game short. Those are definitely factors, of course, but the PlayStation 4/Xbox One version of NBA 2K14 was simply a tremendous game. I had my reasons for not playing it as much back in the day, but to that point, I’m making up for some lost time now. However, it’s surprising that I’m spending that time playing MyCAREER, given my burnout on the mode. I even titled my recap of getting into it last year as “One MyCAREER For The Road“, figuring that it would close the book on my interest in career mode play. Instead, I’ve found myself picking it up again. The adventure continues, and I honestly don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed about that.

Before I recap Year 2 and get into some of my goals as the adventure continues into Year 3 and beyond in NBA 2K14’s MyCAREER, I’d like to follow up on some points that I neglected to mention in my previous articles. First of all, while the focus on the NBA is something that I really enjoy in NBA 2K14 compared to recent iterations of MyCAREER, the mode was missing some features. Strange as it may sound, I really miss MyCOURT! I didn’t realise how much I enjoyed going in there between games just to mess around with my avatar, as well as test out animations or invite teammates around for a pickup game. Gimmicky as it may seem, MyCOURT is actually fun.

Crossing Up Jackson Ellis in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER

Also, while I’m used to the menus and do like aspects of the presentation, the inability to access certain records and stats screens – unless they’re linked to from an NBA.com headline – is rather frustrating. This was a MyCAREER-only bug, as those menus are all accessible in MyGM. The “Play Next Key Game” option is a useful feature once it’s unlocked in Year 2, but there’s no indication as to which game it’s going to choose. The traditional simulation controls in later games are more flexible in that regard. I also really miss the ability to select jerseys. Seeing the same two jerseys all season long gets boring, especially as they’re not my favourite Philadelphia 76ers uniforms.

With that being said, playing through Year 2 was a blast! After a more cutscene-heavy story in my rookie season, the narrative in my sophomore campaign was driven by the challenges from other players on social media, MyCAREER Milestones, and simply vying for another title and personal honours as I stepped into the shoes of an NBA player; in other words, the heart of the MyCAREER experience that has always been there. I’ve often said that Year 2 in MyCAREER is all about dominating the league, and my second season in NBA 2K14 was no exception. However, it was a different experience to becoming a record-setting superstar in games like NBA 2K19.

For a start, it’s harder to put up stats in NBA 2K14. It can be done, but to put it into perspective, I averaged over 60 points, 20 assists, and 14 rebounds per game in Year 2 of my NBA 2K19 MyCAREER. It’s possible to get a stat line like that in NBA 2K14, but combining a big scoring night with a ton of assists is more challenging. It took far more effort to average 15 assists per game in NBA 2K14 than it did to average over 20 in NBA 2K19. Between Badges (both yours and your teammates’) and the AI’s greater willingness to shoot in later games, the dimes rack up much easier. The pace of the game lends itself to pairing big assist numbers with some huge scoring totals.

A Stat-Padding Adventure in MyCAREER (NBA 2K14)

Nevertheless, I broke John Stockton’s assist records once again, and averaged a triple-double as I did in NBA 2K19. In fact, for the first time in all of my years of playing MyCAREER, I led the league in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Like I said, Year 2 is always one for the ages! You’ve earned playing time, levelled up, and you’re not restricted by some of the planned story beats. It’s becomes about your self-imposed challenges, and reaching milestones. Sometimes you can psyche yourself out in chasing numbers though, and even blow some winnable games. I’ve gone 82-0 in the second year of MyCAREER before, but in NBA 2K14, we did drop some games.

Indeed, we lost the season opener against Brooklyn. That was partly due to the lineup being exhausted, as the bug wherein enabling manual substitutions in MyGM carries over to MyCAREER resulted in the starting five playing the entire game. That glitch aside, it was clear it was going to be an interesting season. After the cutscene where he tried to recruit me, LeBron James ended up signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony joined me in Philadelphia. As we were the defending champions, I’d suggest that Melo made the better choice. It further shed our status as an underdog team, as we looked to make a run at back-to-back NBA championships.

Funnily enough, the addition of Melo wasn’t necessarily a huge factor in my higher assist numbers. Many of my assists came off pick and roll plays, or by driving and dishing out to Jason Richardson or Tony Wroten when the defense left them open. As a result, the second leading scorer on the team was Nerlens Noel, who had around 18 points per game. Melo’s scoring took a huge dip, dropping from 26.5 ppg to around 14-15 ppg for most of the year. I actually tried running plays for him to get him more looks, even foregoing getting the assist myself, as it felt wrong that his attempts had halved. Then again, it fit the idea that he was sacrificing to join a championship team.

Nerlens Noel ACL Injury in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER

Whether it’s a franchise or career mode, I’ve always enjoyed the journey of the regular season. It’s the same in real life, and I’m always puzzled when people want the season to be shorter. Trades, injuries, and streaks all around the league make it a wild ride. Noel tore his ACL just 15 games into the season, and was out for the year. This led to an unintentionally funny moment where our entire bench looked devastated, except for Lavoy Allen who was about to get more minutes! Jason Richardson also missed time with a concussion and later two ankle sprains. Having to adjust to new lineups and compensate for a loss in depth added realism, and definitely upped the challenge.

In fact, there were a ton of injuries around the league. No less than 14 players suffered season-ending injuries, while Mario Chalmers missed almost the entire season after breaking his patella in the 2014 Playoffs. Unfortunately, this meant that I missed out on playing the new-look Lakers with the duo of LeBron and Kobe, as LeBron tore his MCL just 13 games into the season. Just to add insult to injury, the Lakers actually played better with him sidelined, and Kobe carrying the load. More than a few of the major injuries occurred against us, perhaps suggesting we were bad luck. Or maybe, we were the roughest Philadelphia sports team since the infamous Flyers of 1976!

One of the reasons I prefer generated rookies to real Draft Classes is that they add to the narrative of multi-season play with brand new characters. Even as a mode takes shape as its own reality, I usually prefer to begin from a point of realism, and having future Draftees picked by different teams than in real life doesn’t gel with that. It’s a moot point in MyCAREER anyway, as there’s no customisation of Draft Classes. In any event, Year 2 provided some interesting new faces to play with and against. Our rookies, Allen Wall and Frankie Hanson, both had their moments. Wall in particular was fun as he often skied for lobs, and splashed threes with his unorthodox jumper.

Generated Rookie Vladimir Lukovski in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER

Speaking of funky shooting forms, Ken Caffey of the Detroit Pistons has one that puts Kevin Duckworth to shame! Handing out unconventional jumpers to the generated rookies has given them personality, as do some of their names. Amusingly, there’s a generated Brendan Haywood, who appears to have essentially replaced the real player with that name as he was out of the league in Year 2. There’s Jesse Kay, which is very similar to pro wrestler Jessie McKay (aka Billie Kay in WWE), who did play semi-pro basketball here in Australia. Jermaine Sherman is close to Jay Sherman of The Critic, Mark Everett has a famous name, and John Wilks…well, that one’s awkward.

Then there’s the Knicks drafting Vladimir Lukovski, a 6’9″ forward who looks like a bad attempt at replicating Carmelo Anthony in Create-a-Player. It’s even funnier with Melo leaving New York to join us in Philadelphia, as it made it look like the Knicks drafted an impersonator to replace him! The way player movement changes up the league, while still largely reflecting reality at first, is something I’ve always enjoyed about the franchise and career experiences. In addition to LeBron signing with LA, the Thunder traded Nick Collison to Indiana, the Bobcats dealt Ben Gordon to New Orleans, and the Heat signed Stephen Jackson, only to later trade him to Portland.

Winning 70 games in the regular season is an accomplishment that I’m sure many of us have achieved in franchise and career modes over the years. As the 2015 season wore on, it looked as though I’d do it once again. However, very similar to the 2016 Golden State Warriors and 1996 Chicago Bulls, we suffered some surprising losses late in the year after looking unbeatable for most of it. I didn’t mind that, though. It can make things interesting, as there’s an incentive to bounce back following a tough loss. Being challenged also leads to opportunities for gamewinning shots, which are always exciting when you’re successful! Ultimately, we went 72-10 on the year.

2015 NBA Finals in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER

We had an opportunity to finish 73-9 – which in this continuity, would’ve broken the 1996 Bulls’ record – but Lou Williams hit a gamewinning three for the Hawks in the final game of the regular season to end it on a slightly sour note. Once again though, that kind of unpredictability makes the season a more thrilling ride with highs and lows. It also produced unexpected results with the CPU teams. With LeBron still out, the Lakers knocked off the defending Western Conference Champion Blazers in a seven game first round series. The eighth-seeded Rockets defeated the top-seeded Thunder, and went on a Cinderella run all the way to the Western Conference Finals.

That’s where the clock stuck midnight, as they fell to the Denver Nuggets 4-1. This set up an interesting scenario. On a meta level, I’d be facing a team I’ve played for in two memorable MyCAREER games. In-universe, Carmelo Anthony would now be facing his original team. We got the sweep to complete a perfect run through the Playoffs, and I averaged a triple-double as I’d done in the regular season, but there were some very competitive games that came down to the wire. It made it all the more gratifying to cap off a monumental sophomore season by going back-to-back. As a side note, the ending music from Return to Zork fits NBA 2K14’s championship cutscene perfectly!

As the adventure continues into the third season, the dynamic with Jackson Ellis has changed. I decided to accept his olive branch when he called me the superior player, and am now considering the possibility of teaming with him once our rookie contracts are up. In the meantime, we’ve lost Jason Richardson, but snagged one of the top-rated players in the 2015 Draft with the 30th Overall pick; talk about trusting the process! I’m not sure how Terry Hanson slipped that far in the Draft – perhaps teams were leery of his apparent side gig as a mediocre LeBron James impersonator – but now I have a new challenge: can I help a CPU player win Rookie of the Year?

LeBron James vs. Terry Hanson (NBA 2K14 MyCAREER)

Just as Year 2 began changing the face of the league with fictional movement, Year 3 has brought about some eyebrow-raising moves. First of all, Dirk Nowitzki joined the Nets, as did Shawn Marion. Lamar Odom signed with the Rockets, making a return after missing the past two seasons. Rajon Rondo signed with the Bobcats, which will be an interesting fit with Kemba Walker. Other free agent moves include Roy Hibbert (Bucks), Stephen Jackson (Clippers), LaMarcus Aldridge (Heat), Nate Robinson (Heat), Eric Gordon (Knicks), and Al Jefferson (Mavericks). Notably, a few teams have created logjams for themselves, but their lineups are intriguing nevertheless.

On top of a few signings that didn’t take the depth chart into consideration, I’m also seeing the drawback of having a MyCAREER save that began with the default rosters. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo are rated extremely low, and aren’t developing quickly enough to be on a path to stardom. It doesn’t ruin the experience, which is meant to be an alternate reality of sorts, and is already unrealistic given my presence in the league. Still, it really does stand out in hindsight! I’m keen to see how the NBA continues to evolve in my game, and interested to see how screwy the lineups become if there are issues with the logic behind CPU trades, signings, and Draft selections.

The fact that the adventure continues in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER is as surprising to me as it may be to you, considering how often I’ve discussed feeling burned out on the mode. With that being said, having completed two entire seasons playing every game on 12 minute quarters, I am considering using the “Play Next Key Game” feature to get through Year 3 quicker, and some more seasons after that. I’d like to get 410 more assists through gameplay to qualify for the Hall of Fame on my own merits, but to reach some other milestones and records, simulation is a must. I’d also like to test the effectiveness and balance of “Play Next Key Game” as a way of speeding things up.

2015 Philadelphia 76ers in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER

Speaking of milestones, there are some that present an inviting challenge. I managed to complete the goal of 25 points with no misses from the field or free throw line, while tallying five assists and five rebounds. However, playing in a triple overtime game is a scenario you almost have to manufacture, and the VC on offer really just makes it a bragging rights reward. Similarly, tallying less than 150 turnovers in a season is a tempting challenge, but NBA 2K14’s mechanics make racking them up far too easy. Still, it’s something to aim for, and through self-imposed challenges and the novelty of fictional lineups and generated rookies, it continues to be a fun adventure.

I’ll also have some decisions to make if I end up playing through a few seasons, and get the opportunity to move on via free agency or a trade request. There’s actually a Trophy for demanding a trade, and I’m a fan of the Trophy/Achievement concept. A change of scenery, and possibly playing for the Bulls, is always an appealing prospect as well. However, I’m also intrigued by the idea of playing a lengthy career for one team. I’ve also come to appreciate some of the players that were on those mid 2010s 76ers squads, such as Thaddeus Young and Tony Wroten. I’ve got good reasons to contemplate both staying in Philadelphia, and moving on as the adventure continues.

Again, it sounds strange to consider such a prospect when I’d grown so weary of the MyCAREER experience. However, it speaks to how the routine of grinding up a player for online play, the increased cost of attribute upgrades, and the attempts at an open world experience shifting focus away from the NBA, were the key contributors to my burnout. In an older game where none of that is an issue, MyCAREER is not just merely palatable, but immensely fun and enjoyable. And yes, it helps that I’ve discovered that I like NBA 2K14 for PlayStation 4 much more than I once thought. There’s that sense of making up for lost time, and completing unfinished business.

And The Adventure Continues (NBA 2K14 MyCAREER)

To that end, it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point, my NBA 2K14 adventure also continues in MyGM. I have no intention of deleting my saves, having lost far too many memorable files over the years. Of course, I can also see myself discovering a new kick, and needing to take a break from NBA 2K14. Body steals and contrived errors do result in a few too many turnovers, as my numbers on the season reflect. I also still want to cover NBA 2K15’s MyCAREER for Wayback Wednesday, and I’ll likely gain an interest in playing with more up to date rosters at some point. While it’s now one of my all-time favourites, my attention will be pulled away from NBA 2K14.

That’s OK, though. I’ll still be able to return to it whenever I feel compelled to do so. In the meantime, I’m enjoying the ride as this retro gaming adventure continues. As with other games I’ve chosen to play instead of the latest NBA 2K over the past 12 months or so, it’s refreshing to sink hours into a title because I want to, not because I’ll be at a disadvantage in the online arena if I don’t. I finally took the advice that I would readily give someone else, which is to not keep playing something that isn’t enjoyable, and seek out a game or mode that is. I’m glad that even though I returned to a familiar mode, I was nevertheless able to break a cycle. And so, the adventure continues!

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dshay7
dshay7
March 29, 2022 3:51 pm

I, too, have recently gotten back into 2K14 (pc), and I’m having a blast! Haven’t given MyCareer a try yet, but after reading your story, I may give it a shot.

I downloaded the UBR retro mod update, as well as the college mod, and I’m absolutely loving both. It’s incredible being able to pick any season and play with 2 random teams. A few nights ago I took the 87 SuperSonics up against the 87 Trailblazers and had an extremely competitive game. Xavier McDaniel and Tom Chambers led the way, and I was instantly transported back to my youth.

l’ve really come to determine that at some point, you reach a pinnacle in the development of a yearly game, and eventually the new stuff each year are just bells and whistles. 2k14 might be a nearly 9 year old game, but it holds up incredibly well, and the addition of such in depth mods will keep its lifespan going.

On another note, I don’t know what 2k was smoking in 2013, but they need to get back on it. I’m a huge fan of wrestling games as well, and after purchasing quite a few (including 2k19 and 2k22), I’m convinced that WWE2K14 is still the best. Doesn’t hurt that there are incredible mods for it as well, but even at its core, it’s a great game, just
like nba2k14.

dshay7
dshay7
March 30, 2022 4:49 am
Reply to  Andrew

I agree, you’d think that they would go all out to rebuild some trust, but it sure doesn’t seem like that was their goal. Plus, they’ve finally jumped into the ocean of micro transactions with the whole MyFaction aspect, so there’s that.
I just can’t get into stuff like MyFaction/MyTeam….card collecting and all the stuff that goes with it just isn’t my thing.
On it’s own, it’s a pretty good game. Better than 2k19 in some ways, probably not as good in others. It just depends upon your taste. There certainly seems to be an emphasis on fighting, which I don’t like. I don’t want to play Mortal Kombat, I want to wrestle. That being said, the new camera angle lends to a more immersive feeling, more exciting. Most of my matches have been competitive, so that’s always good. Worth a try if you have the funds to purchase.