Tag Archives: MyTeam

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 some thoughts on how accusations of being “broke” are justifying predatory practices in gaming.

It’s time once again for me to attempt the impossible task of shutting down an ad hominem that’s become far too popular in basketball gaming discourse (and gaming discourse in general). Spend enough time talking about microtransactions, pay-to-win (or pay-to-enjoy) mechanics, and tedious grinding, and someone will accuse you of being “broke”. For you see, the only reason not to want to pay above and beyond the cost of a game is – apparently – because you can’t afford it. Conversely, being willing to dump disposable (or not-so-disposable) income into a game is somehow virtuous.

There are so, so many problems with that line of thinking. Sadly, however, shills continue to trot out that argument to shut down any criticism of recurrent revenue mechanics. “Broke” has become a buzzword along the lines of “cartoonish“, only it’s far worse because of how judgmental it is towards your fellow gamers. Obviously, there are hobbies that are expensive, and given the cost of hardware alone, video games do arguably qualify as such a hobby to some extent. There are still reasonable and unreasonable costs though, and focusing on personal wealth overlooks that the problems with recurrent revenue mechanics have nothing to do with being broke.

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Although the cover reveal technically tipped off the previews for NBA 2K24, the preview season obviously isn’t quite in full swing until we learn more concrete details about the game. As announced by the official NBA 2K Twitter (or X) account, in-depth previews for NBA 2K24 will begin the week of August 14th.

The schedule is as follows:

• Week of August 14th: Gameplay with ProPLAY
• Week of August 21st: The W, MyNBA, Mamba Moments
• Week of August 28th: MyCAREER, The City, MyTEAM
• Week of September 4th: Season 1 in MyTEAM and MyCAREER

A reminder that ProPLAY, The W, MyNBA, and The City will be exclusive to the PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X|S version. The prior gen consoles and PC port will retain MyLEAGUE, basic WNBA content, and The Neighborhood in MyCAREER. However, this roadmap does confirm the leaked Mamba Moments mode, and seemingly for both generations.

NBA 2K24 is scheduled for release on September 8th. Pre-orders have been open since July 7th; if you’re interested and need a refresher on the bonuses, you can find them here. I will of course be aggregating the news throughout the preview season, and discussing it with Dee on the NLSC Podcast, so stay tuned!

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This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! From retrospectives of basketball games and their interesting features, to republished articles and looking at NBA history through the lens of the virtual hardwood, Wednesdays at the NLSC are for going back in time. This week, I’m taking a look back at the Dream Team in NBA 2K17.

They’ve often been cited as the greatest basketball team ever assembled. They swept their way to the gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, famously winning by an average of 44 points per game while never calling timeout. Eleven of its players are enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame for their individual accomplishments, and the team itself was collectively inducted in 2009. Eight years later, the team would also be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. Simply put, the Dream Team was a squad for the ages.

As far as the virtual hardwood is concerned, the Dream Team has made a handful of official appearances in video games. They were the cover stars of EA Sports’ Team USA Basketball, and were included in NBA 2K13; appearances that I’ve previously covered here in Wayback Wednesday. The most recent game to officially feature the Dream Team was NBA 2K17, an appearance that stands out as somewhat different – and indeed slightly controversial – compared to previous releases. Let’s take a look back…way back…

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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 NBA 2K24 can win me over.

Around this time last year, I discussed how NBA 2K23 could possibly break NBA 2K14 PS4’s monopoly over my basketball gaming sessions, and make a far better impression than NBA 2K21 and NBA 2K22 did. It was interesting to go back and read what I’d written now that NBA 2K23 is approaching the end of its life cycle, and NBA 2K24 is on the horizon. After all, NBA 2K24 will also be competing with my entire collection and a preference to diversify my virtual hardwood experiences, so once again, simply being the latest release won’t be enough.

While my criteria are essentially unchanged, my expectations have naturally been shaped by what happened with NBA 2K23, and the apparent direction of the series. As was the case last year, I must emphasise that these are personal preferences that will determine my level of enjoyment, and inclination to play NBA 2K24 over other games. NBA 2K24 is going to be highly successful regardless, and my opinion of it won’t impact its fortunes either way. I can only speak for myself, and I don’t pretend otherwise. With that being said, I do stand by my criteria and suggestions. I hope that I am impressed by NBA 2K24, but it will have to surpass what NBA 2K23 did.

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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 comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of depth and simplicity in basketball video game modes.

Generally speaking, we want to see deep, engaging modes in sim basketball games. Whether it’s a franchise or career experience, or even a card collecting/team building mode, depth is a vital ingredient to them remaining immersive and engaging. On top of being a more accurate representation of the NBA – wherever applicable – there’s simply more to do and care about. As modes have become deeper throughout the years, our expectations have naturally increased proportionately. Shallow modes are criticised for their lack of features and detail, and considered to be behind the times.

At the same time, there’s merit and appeal in simplicity. I’m not just talking about retro gaming either, though that can be part of their draw. Even in modern games though, there’s an argument to be made for simplicity and streamlining in modes. This runs contrary to calls for deep and comprehensive experiences, but for some gamers, that depth and detail can be overwhelming. While having more to do and care about sounds like a great time for many of us, many still see too many moving parts, and tasks that distract and detract from the point of the games: playing virtual basketball. As such, developers are challenged to a balancing act as far as depth vs. simplicity.

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Because I’ve neglected to post bulletins for them over the past couple of weeks, it’s time for another roundup of recent uploads to the NLSC YouTube channel! In addition to the weekly Top 10 Plays and NLSC Podcast episodes, Dee and I are regularly uploading highlight reels from our basketball gaming sessions. To that end, some fun videos have gone up recently that you’ll really want to check out!

First up is a continuation of Dee’s campaign in NBA 2K23 MyTEAM Domination. This time, Dee plays through all three difficulty levels of the Orlando Magic challenge, with his squad sporting custom NBA Legends jerseys. There are plenty of spectacular moments as he truly dominates the competition!

Next up, I posted a quick reel of rookie Derrick Rose highlights in NBA Live 09 for PlayStation 3, from a game I played while grabbing some screenshots for future features. While I had my PS3 hooked up, I also revisited NCAA Basketball 09 and took on the 1992 Duke Blue Devils with the 1993 Michigan Wolverines, after adding real names for all of the players.

NBA 2K11 PC is a classic that stands the test of time, as Dee demonstrates with a game between the rival Celtics and Lakers. The authenticity is off the charts in this reel, not only spotlighting the realism in NBA 2K11’s gameplay, but Dee’s understanding of hoops and the players on the floor, and his ability to play beautiful sim basketball.

I’ve been playing NBA 2K6 recently, and I plan on covering it in Wayback Wednesday soon. In the meantime however, I had an exciting comeback victory with the Bulls when I took on the Knicks, with Ben Gordon leading the charge. I also had a blast putting some 90s Legends on the Rucker Park blacktop in Street mode; you might recognise a couple of the highlights from this week’s Top 10!

Finally, Dee revisited the PS3 version of NBA 2K13 – another game that holds up superbly – to take on the Bucks using the Wizards. You can check out all of those great videos below, as well as on the NLSC YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe for more great basketball gaming videos, and as always, feel free to hit us up with any suggestions of games that you’d like to see us play!

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Pre-orders for NBA 2K24 are now open, and the pre-order bonuses have subsequently been revealed. As usual, they consist of VC, MT, MyTEAM packs and cards, boosts for MyCAREER, and MyPLAYER gear. All of the pre-order bonuses for each edition of NBA 2K24 can be found below.

Speaking of editions, two more have been announced, and their covers revealed. There will be a 25th Anniversary Edition of NBA 2K24, with a cover featuring a custom championship ring. It’s the premium edition of NBA 2K24, and once again includes a one-year NBA League Pass subscription, as well as additional bonuses if you pre-order by July 25th. This year’s WNBA edition features Sabrina Ionescu on its cover, and is once again exclusive to GameStop and North America. A first look screenshot of Ionescu has also been posted.

Following up on the leak from the 2K Intel account, crossplay has also officially been announced. It is a Next Gen/New Gen exclusive however, but it does mean that PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S gamers will finally be able to meet up in cooperative and competitive play in NBA 2K24. A trailer touting crossplay has also been posted, which you can check out below along with the latest covers, Sabrina Ionescu screenshot, and details on the NBA 2K24 pre-order bonuses.

Got any thoughts? Feel free to share them in the comments below, as well as join in the discussion in our NBA 2K24 Forum!

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Welcome to another edition of The Friday Five! Every Friday I cover a topic related to basketball gaming, either as a list of five items, or a Top 5 countdown. The topics for these lists and countdowns include everything from fun facts and recollections to commentary and critique. This week’s Five is taking a look at five devious practices in basketball video games.

I’m not one for conspiracy theories as a rule, but when it comes to devious practices in basketball video games – and gaming in general for that matter – there’s no need for wild speculation anyway. Publishers are shockingly, brazenly open about their anti-consumer practices these days, mainly because they’ve become normalised. As such, whenever you bring up a troubling issue, there’s a swarm of smug shills waiting to tell you that this how gaming is now and that it’s just business, as if you don’t understand the concept of a billion dollar corporation being concerned with making money.

As I’ve said before, I prefer to stand with my fellow gamers, rather than blindly defend companies that will happily take advantage of their customers. Yes, video game development is a business, but to that end it’s providing a product that we can evaluate in terms of quality and value for money. Good, valuable video game critique requires looking through the spin and hype to identify flaws and drawbacks, including devious practices. The problem is that some of those devious practices are dressed up as generous and beneficial features, in order to disguise their motives and deflect criticism. Even when they are useful, it’s important to recognise the deviousness.

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In the wake of the cover reveal, 2K has also released some first look screenshots of Kobe Bryant in NBA 2K24; one of young “Frobe”, and one of prime Mamba from the 2000s. You can check out both screenshots below, as well as in the Screenshots section of our newly-launched NBA 2K24 hub!

As a number of people have noticed, the older Kobe is wearing an NBA Finals patch on his jersey. The NBA 2K Leaks & Intel Twitter account – which has been extremely reliable in recent years – has stated that there will be a Mamba Moments mode in NBA 2K24, which will basically be a Kobe Bryant version of The Jordan Challenge. The NBA Finals patch certainly seems to back that up, and suggests the possibility of at least one new classic team.

The Intel account also mentioned a new Next Gen feature called ProPLAY. This tech will reportedly directly translate NBA footage into gameplay to deliver authentic animations and movement. Combined with their leak of a blurb about MyCAREER in Current Gen/Old Gen, this seems to confirm that the PC version will be identical to the PlayStation 4/Xbox One version once again. The Neighborhood will be returning in that version, along with streamlined quests. Keep in mind that this hasn’t been officially announced, but the account’s track record for accuracy has been exceptional.

There’s also a tidbit about a new salary cap mode in MyTEAM, revamped controls and roster authenticity, and the continued inclusion of WNBA content. The release date is September 8th 2023, as also confirmed by ESPN. The ESPN article also mentions crossplay, though no further details are available at this time.

That’s the NBA 2K24 info that’s currently circulating, along with the first look Kobe screenshots. What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments below, as well as join in the discussion in the new NBA 2K24 section of the Forum! Once again, I’ll be aggregating news throughout the preview season, and Dee and I will be breaking it down with our commentary on the NLSC Podcast.

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Patch 8.0 has come through for NBA 2K23 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and should be out on PC soon. As always, the new update will come through automatically as long as you’re online. If it doesn’t, try checking for updates manually, or restarting your console/Steam client.

The new update prepares the game for Season 8 in MyCAREER and MyTEAM. There are no further patch notes or word of any other fixes/changes at this time, but if anything is posted, I’ll be sure to update the listing below, as well as add the details to our Next Gen and Current Gen update histories.

However, 2K has shared details on what to expect from Season 8. The season will be Kevin Durant-themed, with the MyCAREER rewards including an additional Badge Point, the final Core Badge Pattern, a tiger, and various cosmetic items. MyTEAM will of course be receiving new cards, including the End Game series.

Season 8 tips off this Friday, so the PC patch should be out by then to ensure everything is in place and ready to go. In the meantime, feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below, as well as join in the discussion in our NBA 2K23 Forum.

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #482 of the NLSC Podcast!

What will the basketball gaming landscape look like in five years, as a new generation of consoles likely tips off? This week, we join the community in speculating on the future, from what we expect from NBA 2K to whether we anticipate NBA Live or any other competition returning. Recapping fun sessions with NBA 2K9 and NBA 2K14 leads us to reflect on why those older games hold up, and are often held in higher regard than more recent titles. We also send out our congratulations to the Denver Nuggets and their fans on the team’s first NBA Championship, reminisce about the 2009 Orlando Magic, and celebrate another outstanding Top 10 Plays of the Week.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:15:02 — 51.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

Welcome to another edition of The Friday Five! Every Friday I cover a topic related to basketball gaming, either as a list of five items, or a Top 5 countdown. The topics for these lists and countdowns include everything from fun facts and recollections to commentary and critique. This week’s Five is a list of five factors that are drawing me towards playing older games rather than more recent titles.

I’ll be the first to admit that I have a predisposition for playing older games, basketball or otherwise. My earliest forays into gaming came with a system that was already outdated before I was born, thanks to the Video Game Crash of 1983. I’m also a creature of habit prone to sentimentality and nostalgia, so I’m not one to readily throw the past away and never look back. I didn’t always have the latest hardware growing up, so sometimes I had to stick with the older games that I could run. It’s why I was still keen to update NBA Live 96 PC as others were gearing up for NBA Live 98.

Old habits die hard, so it’s no surprise that I remain open to playing older games, even though I own and can play more recent releases. Still, it’s not just nostalgia that has me reaching for old favourites over the last few NBA 2K games. It’s part of it, sure, but in all honesty, as far as my experiences on the virtual hardwood, I’ve had more fun going back to NBA 2K14 and an assortment of other older titles. Even though I was impressed by NBA 2K23 – and all of its nostalgic content – I soon put it aside to play my favourites from yesteryear, as well as search for new retro kicks. When I reflect upon it, there are five main factors that are continually drawing me to older games.

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #481 of the NLSC Podcast!

How long does the allure of the latest basketball game last? How often does it hold our attention until the next game comes out? This week, we’re joining the community in discussing when and why we’ve chosen to move on from the current release in recent years. We also follow up on last week’s look back at NBA Live 15 by revisiting the even more controversial NBA Live 14. Suffice to say, we were once again surprised by some of the details that we noticed! Naturally we draw a few comparisons to NBA 2K14, which we also continue to enjoy with Year 6 of MyCAREER, and a Legends season in MyGM.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:06:30 — 46.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #478 of the NLSC Podcast!

Games that we wish we played more, seasons that we wish we finished, and saves that we wish we still had, are common tales among basketball gamers. This week, we join the community in reminiscing about some of our biggest basketball gaming regrets! A misconception about a job listing also prompts us to address the subject of NBA Live rumours, as well as clickbait content. Additionally, we touch on whether a theoretical future NBA Live should be sim, arcade, or a sim-arcade hybrid. We also reflect on some spectacular highlights in last week’s NLSC Top 10 that had us all buzzing, and provide an update on reaching Year 6 in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:17:08 — 53.3MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

Season 7 will be tipping off this Friday in NBA 2K23, which means Patch 7.0 has been pushed through. As of writing, it’s available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The PC patch should be out in time for the new Season. As always, the patch will be downloaded automatically as long as you’re online. If it doesn’t, try restarting your console/Steam client, or checking for updates manually.

In addition to preparing MyCAREER and MyTEAM for Season 7, the patch includes a handful of player likeness updates and stability fixes. Notably, it resolves a rare hang in MyTEAM when two cards from the same pack receive a walkout reveal, fixes an errant wipe in Rec and Pro-Am games, and addresses a bug with Start Today related to Playoff progression.

You can find the full notes for NBA 2K23 Patch 7.0 below, as well as in the Next Gen and Current Gen update histories in our Wiki. Feel free to add your impressions in the comments below, as well as join in the discussion in our NBA 2K23 Forum!

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