NBA2K14 - MyTeam Roster Update (current gen)

I wanted to start playing Road to Playoffs so I decided to sign into MyTeam and noticed I had Manu, Al Jefferson and Paul Pierce so I sold them to open new boosters (yeah, deal with it). It was probably one of my better choices because I got some more players that I liked.

Here is the gist of the roster that I am rolling with right now. When I earn some more VC I will try to at least get a nice solid starting 5 but I like my roster so far.

Starters
Stephen Curry (PG)
Kyrie Irving (SG)
Kyle Krover (SF)
Serge Ibaka (PF)

Al Horford (C)

Bench
Carlos Delfino
Jordan Hamilton
Orlando Johnson
Eric Maynor
Deandre Jordan
Channing Frye
Glen Rice Jr

Not sure if I am going to move where Curry and Irving are but I like Kyrie at the 2 (so deal with it). I actually think this line up will be really fun to play with. Check my early post from my last roster to see the changes.

NBA2K14 - Time for MyTeam

It’s that time again where I talk about MyTeam on NBA2K14. If you follow Gaming1Hunnit on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/gaming1hunnit) then you know that my first posts were MyTeam updates. First, I would like to touch on a few new things that were added in MyTeam for current gen:

Tournaments – These have been added with specific rules and you can play the AI or other users.

Schedule – This mode allows you to play through an NBA Teams schedule and earn VC and other rewards on the way.

Play with Friends – Finally you will be able to challenge your friends to see who has the best MyTeam as well as look at Leaderboards to see where you rank.

Customization – You can now change your city, name your team, and have team logo (logo cards are same logos has NBA Teams).

Sapphire Players – These players are special players that are awarded from playing the game.

After opening a few packs this is what my current team looks like.

Starters                            Bench
Ty Lawson                      Carlos Delfino                    Kyle Korver  
Orlando Johnson             Jordan Hamilton                Hasheem Thabeet
Paul Pierce                      Nando De Colo
David Lee                       Eric Maynor
Serge Ibaka                     Channing Frye

I actually haven’t played any games with this line up yet but I have played 2 games or so before I acquired some of these players. I might put some games/tournaments on my channel so be on the lookout for those.

Chesse Melted So Far - NBA 2K14

It has been a month since I have posted anything and that is for two reasons (I’ve been busy and haven’t played any new games really). Loyal followers of this blog, I apologize for my absence but even with my increased work load I will be posting every chance I get. Also be sure to check out my YouTube channel (http://tinyurl.com/nedu8jp) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/gaming1hunnit) for additional updates on what I’m playing, reviews, commentaries, etc.

As you may have guessed, I caved and started playing NBA 2K14 which hasn’t been as uneventful as I thought. As frustrating as the things I mentioned in a previous post about the game are, they surprisingly don’t take the fun out of the gameplay.

Team-Up is one of my favorite game modes in the game but many of the players that play it are annoying. The amount of try-hard cheesers is still uncanny in this game mode. Its supposed to be like a pick-up game with fairly random assigned positions and teams. People still quit when they don’t get the position they want, when the feel they haven’t touched the ball enough or when they have had enough of how crappy their teammates are and figure ‘skill’ quitting is better than sitting through the game for the VC  (if you lack general basketball IQ this game mode isn’t for you). I honestly have played through games that started out horrible with players that were just bad  and still managed to come out with a decent teammate grade (you really need a lot of patience). Aside from the frustrations that you would get from any pick-up game in any sport, it can still be fun even if your teammates can’t hit the broad side of a barn (yes, I have resulted into forcing people to quit games so I get the easy VC but I wouldn’t have to do that if they realized that the other billion or so people in the world also think they are best thing since sliced bread and the world clearly revolves around them because they are so important).

Aside from that, I am currently 3-0 in Ranked Quick Match games (let me get to 5-0 before I start accepting challenges). Ironically, these were the teams I used and the final scores GS 74*-IND 66, OKC 75*-HOU 65, and IND 76*-NYC 56. I am not sure how I exactly have 8 steals in each game but whatever gets the W, right? The IND-NYC game was by far the most surprising out of the 3. I think he tried to cheese as my opponent made various defensive adjustments and played a 3-2 zone for most of the game but what he didn’t realize is he couldn't guard anyone (I shot 60% in this game with quite a few layups/dunks due to some pretty silly defense as my players we wide open all the time). I think the score would’ve been worse if it weren’t for some silly turnovers and the weird shot releases.

Which brings me to a problem I have with the shot releases, they are annoying. For some odd reason, wide open shots with fairly good shot release result in a missed shot (using the right-stick not the x-button). The pro-stick is most likely the cause of this which may be delaying the release a little bit (because you have to hold the stick and a direction to generate the shot animation). It may need some getting used to (practice) but I still think that adding dribble moves and shot animations together without a modifier is stupid (thanks 2K for adding something no one likes and if you like the pro stick explain to me why, please). The things I noticed about defense are most good, aside from some animations (I don’t think I have played the game long enough to know the difference between normal game play and straight up cheese but I have played a number of team-up games to know what works and what doesn't).

With Next-Gen consoles coming out this month I’m still hoping that this game will play better on the new consoles than current gen. I still don’t like the NBA Live builds I’ve seen but they could make a case to be competition (yeah, we’ll see).

NBA 2K14 Expectations

There has been a lot of recent talk on what will be included in NBA 2K14. For the most part, I am not worried about NBA Live 14 being better than 2K14 (because there is just no way) but there are a few things that I would like to see improved or made with 2K14. I could probably write a 10 page paper on things that could be added, fixed, adjusted, altered, etc but let’s be realistic (ain’t nobody got time for that).

Information that has already been released about game looks awesome. The graphics are looking top-notch on the next-gen console. They have added some Euro League teams to the game which should offer a bit of variety on the teams you can choose. Rumors of the ability to block dunks and the resurfacing of crew mode (I'm expecting some type of crew mode) seem to have fans on the edge of their seat waiting to what will actually be unveiled next about the game. Here are some expectations I have about things that I am looking for in NBA 2k14.

Gameplay – First things first. Improvements on defense need to be made. Often, one-on-one defense renders you helpless no matter how good you are, even if you have max help defense up, players are tip toeing to the rim uncontested (if I have help defense maxed with a shot blocker around the rim there is no way anyone should have a free layup).  This brings me to the ability to block dunks. Dunks should be able to be blocked or altered by high rated shot blockers (not to say this should be cheesed in either direction, timing should be a factor). Other factors such as speed, steal, an emotion should have bigger impacts in the game (imagine if you could get technical for arguing plays or harder fouls). The 2K13 patches on this provided some hope but most times are inconsistent (seemed to work against you and unrealistic). Improvements on 3pt defense and zone effectiveness (1-3-1) should also be adjusted, this is obvious (2K players know what I'm talking about). At times it just feels like you are getting cheesed left and right which makes it less fun.

Features – I am not really excited about the “Path to Greatness” Mode. There hasn’t been much on it but if it as a style like Road to Glory in NCAA Football 14 (which would be a restructured My Career), I would be happy with that (I’ll get to My Career Mode later). More Legends and Teams should be added (04-05 Rockets, 99-00 Raptors, 95-96 Pacers just to name a few). Although, I am most interested in seeing what moves will be cheesed, how much cheese will happen in the game (and it will, so might as will get some crackers or make nachos) or if they did anything to limit the cheese.

My Team – Tournaments should be added to this mode. It will provide an additional challenge than just reaching the 1^st seed. Another thing is change in the contract structure (I feel like I’m wasting VC if I have a 600VC contracted team and only get 200VC if I win). I hoping there will also be some adjustments with the packs and that is harder to stack your team (buy your way to wins). I am not suggesting they follow an ultimate team structure but offering different packs and how teams are built (maybe make chemistry/play styles a factor) might limit the cheesing.

My Career – New Customization options. I'm taking, skin tones, hairstyles (Norris Cole flat-top), tattoos, importing game face, dunk packages, etc. This includes wardrobe options because it just seems like a limited selection (more options, adjust pricing by lowering it unless item has an attribute boost). As far as the mode in general, I am expecting something to be added other than just a rookie showcase. Some type of skills challenge or combine type games could help see the areas your player can improve on to raise or lower his draft stock (maybe have the showcase at that the end of this). Adding summer league games could offer a chance for position battles and prove your player can start early (getting drafted in the top 5 and spending most of type coming off the bench is annoying, especially if your role isn’t the 6^th man). Next thing is the endorsements. I hope they add a few more commercials at things other than shoes, as generic as they might be it will still be cool (maybe add the idea of choosing certain one and offer VC rewards by meeting certain challenges). Lastly, Twitter. This can be improved and can tie into the interview aspect (impacting number of fans and chemistry). I know I would enjoy taking trash and having to back it up on game day (makes the feature worth checking). Also maybe add a way invite legends to workout, one-on-one matches, or charity events with it would be awesome because the twitter feature in 2K13 wasn't worth checking after a while.

Overall, it looks like I won’t be disappointed when the game comes out. There is a lot of hype about its release in October. Be sure to check out a future post when it comes out and comment with your expectations.