However, does that still apply to free content in basketball games, such as the Locker Codes and login bonuses in NBA 2K’s MyTEAM? Criticism of disappointing rewards is often met with derision. When something is free, we’re not only expected to be grateful, but also make allowances as far as quality, promptness of delivery, and so on. Sayings such as “the price is right” in reference to something that’s free, or “never look a gift horse in the mouth” and “beggars can’t be choosers” in regards to something that is given generously, are a few that come to mind. There are many maxims about appreciating generosity and accepting gifts with grace and gratitude that may seem well-worn and trite, but are nevertheless apt. This week, I’m tipping things off with some thoughts on free content in basketball games, and whether or not it’s fair to criticise it. We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Start your week here at the NLSC with a feature that’s dedicated to opinions, commentary, and other fun stuff related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games. Arguably, it’s been their teams who’ve had the bad run of luck, as several cover players have ended up moving on not too long after becoming the face of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other titles. Basketball games have generally avoided such superstition, though a handful of players haven’t been so lucky. The infamous “ Madden Curse” has been used to describe a string of misfortune suffered by NFL players who have appeared on the game’s cover. Sports game covers in general have their own lore and trivia. Since then, landing a big star has become an essential part of a game’s branding, and cover players have also influenced bonus content, including special game modes. Even in the late 90s, not all titles featured a single cover player, and more than a couple of cover players weren’t among the league’s elite. The earliest NBA licensed basketball games tended to use photographs featuring a handful of players. The choice of cover players is an aspect of basketball gaming that has become a bigger talking point since the early days of the hobby.
This week, I’m taking a look back at cover players who changed teams not long after they made those appearances. You’ll also find old NLSC editorials re-published with added commentary, and other flashback content.
Check in every Wednesday for retrospectives and other features on older versions of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and old school basketball video games in general. This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! In this feature, we dig into the archives, look back at the history of basketball gaming, and indulge in some nostalgia. In either case, these moments found in various basketball video games become hilarious-in-hindsight – or at the very least, good for a smirk or a chuckle – and to that end, I have five examples to share with you today. Coincidences are amusing to note however, as are details that age poorly or become ironic when we look back at them. Of course, other occurrences are clearly not prophesising the future, which underscores how it’s easy to call something a prediction in hindsight. Sometimes they can seemingly predict the future, with the virtual hardwood suggesting unexpected events that actually come to pass in real life. As I’ve said, basketball games become interactive almanacs of sorts, as they mark NBA milestones. Scrolling through all the teams and looking at the rosters, you’re reminded of the forgotten stints of journeymen and stars alike, lineups that had so much promise but never panned out, and players who were pegged as being future stars. It’s something that I believe, and it’s one of the things that make dusting off old titles fun. I’ve grown fond of saying that basketball games serve as time capsules, preserving snapshots of the league when they were released. This week’s Five is a list of moments in basketball video games that are hilarious in hindsight, for one reason or another. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community.