NLSC Your source for basketball video games.
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 some NBA memories through eleven historical screenshots in NBA 2K14.
When I was capturing screenshots for the feature re-creating NBA Finals matchups with the classic teams in NBA 2K14, I ended up replicating some other scenarios as well. As I said in last week’s feature, for me a big part of being on a retro basketball gaming kick is to get as much as I can out of the game, including messing around with rosters, classics teams, and whatnot. Once again, even though there are problems with the accuracy of the retro squads, I still enjoy putting them out there on the virtual hardwood, and playing out some historical matchups.
Originally, these were going to be bonus screenshots in last week’s feature. With twenty-nine NBA Finals series being represented however, including these screens as well would’ve made it an even longer article. To that point, I’m spinning them off into their own feature, as I had a blast getting these historical screenshots in NBA 2K14, and want to share them with everyone as I reminisce about league history. Let’s take a look back…way back…
1971 Western Conference Finals
The Bucks have been in the Eastern Conference for so long, it’s easy to forget they were originally in the NBA’s Western Division. It’s how they had a Western Finals showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers, with Kareem defeating his future team.
Terry Cummings
For such a dynamic scorer who ended up playing eighteen years in the league, Terry Cummings is often overlooked. Of course, it didn’t help that an injury rendered the second half of his career far less impressive. Still, in his prime, he was a star forward.
63 Points in the Garden
As a Michael Jordan fan who was born in 1984 and really got into basketball in the 90s, his record-setting 63-point game against the eventual champion Celtics is one that I’ve only been able to enjoy on video…and of course, in basketball video games.
The NBA Finals That Weren’t
Full disclosure, I originally captured this screenshot for the 1985 Finals, and then realised that Bill Walton shouldn’t appear in such a re-creation! Instead, I’m recycling it as a “What If” 1986 Finals, since the third Magic vs. Bird clash had to wait a year.
Nique vs. Bird
The seven-game series between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks in 1988 is one of the most memorable second round meetings in NBA history. Boston would prevail, but Dominique Wilkins put on a show as he went head-to-head with Larry Bird.
“The Shot”
It’s one of the most iconic moments in Michael Jordan’s career, and one of the most famous clutch plays from a first round series! I’m glad that it was added to the new Jordan Challenge in NBA 2K23, as it was a tough omission the first time around.
Clyde Glides Over Laimbeer
It probably won’t surprise you to hear that I’m not a huge fan of the Pistons, or Bill Laimbeer. When I was re-creating the 1990 NBA Finals for my previous article, it was incredibly satisfying to have Clyde Drexler throw down this poster dunk.
Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway
Telling your older relatives about Anfernee Hardaway back in the 90s meant them trying to correct you with a patronising smile: “Anthony. Anthony.” And then you’d show them a magazine or trading card to prove otherwise. “Penny” was much easier!
1996 Eastern Conference Finals
Speaking of Penny and the Orlando Magic, after they ended Michael Jordan’s 1995 comeback on a sour note, it was only right that the Bulls gained revenge in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals with a dominating sweep. At least, I enjoyed that result!
The Reignman
It’s been noted that going by statistical performance, Shawn Kemp has a case for being the 1996 NBA Finals MVP over Michael Jordan. The Bulls’ victory counters the argument, but it was still one of the best moments of The Reignman’s career.
Watch Out For The Shaq Attack!
There are some stock screenshots that I’ve enjoyed capturing in games over the years, and one of them is Shaquille O’Neal throwing down a Shaq Attack. And yes, the aforementioned Marge Simpson quote does come to mind every time that I do!
Once again, it seemed a shame to let these historical screenshots in NBA 2K14 go unshared, considering the fun I had getting them. I’ve really enjoyed finally sinking hours into the PlayStation 4 version of NBA 2K14, not just to get these historical screenshots, but also to play through multiple seasons in MyCAREER. NBA 2K14 has retroactively become one of my all-time favourite basketball games, and as with other old faves, I’m sure I’ll pick it up again at some point, whenever the mood strikes. It’s further proof that first impressions don’t always last, and that it’s definitely worth giving some basketball games a second look with fresher eyes, and a more open mind.
