Living in the Past with NBA 2K11

Feature Article

Submitted on: 10/23/2010 by Dustin Toms

Living in the past is undoubtedly something we all do.

At some point in our lives we are told not to. At another point, we’re told to reminisce. How are we, as human beings, to understand which path to take? The answer has finally arrived.

It was a long wait before the fateful day of October 5 finally arrived. To some, it was another terrible Tuesday, arguably the worst work day in the week. To others, it was just a blur. But to us gamers, it is a day that has already reached the status of infamy. October 5 was the day NBA 2K11 hit store shelves and finally gave us our answer.

Live in the past.

With Michael Jordan gracing the cover of the newly released NBA 2K game, the past has become the present. Not only are there a handful of classic Chicago teams, but you can also get your hands on epic duos like Starks and Ewing, Stockton and Malone, and Payton and Kemp.

We all know about the Jordan Challenge and how challenging it actually is, but these classic teams go much further than the 10 challenges.

On the forums I see people asking everyday if they can take these teams into Association mode. The simple answer is, yes you can. But I took it a step further when bringing in my classic team.

If you read my articles and blogs on a somewhat consistent basis, you will know I am an avid Seattle Sonics fan that cannot accept the fact that they are no more. So I decided to take the old-school Sonics and replace the Oklahoma City Thunder.

I was six games into my season with Payton and Kemp averaging 19 and 26 points per game, respectively, but something was not right. It felt like too much of a fantasy seeing Kemp completely dominate Boozer in the season opener. So I decided to fiddle around in the menus, and to my surprise and pleasure, I discovered the one thing that has made this game the GOAT.

I was able to swap the Thunder’s roster with Seattle’s. Now I have my Association with the Sonics, but Payton is not the star. It’s Durant. The way it should be.

You're wearing the WRONG jersey!
Source: dailythunder.com

Now I am already 12 games in, rocking a 10-2 record while KD is averaging 34 points per game. The roster is near perfect, I just needed a backup forward for Durant. I know Green can handle the SF position, but I needed someone else, someone with a defensive mindset. Using the rather amazing player finder, I found the perfect fit for what I needed.

Renaldo Balkman.

Now I can fully enjoy my time with NBA 2K11. Hearing the announcers say the name "Seattle Sonics" brings back a lifetime full of memories. Memories that I don’t want to forget anytime soon.

So I salute you 2K, for finally giving me the answer that I have been searching for, the answer that allows me to relive my past and fulfill my virtual gaming dream.

Welcome home, Sonics.

NBA 2K11 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 DustinT @ 10/25/10 12:05 AM

Ok I have received quite a few PMs about how I brought the Sonics into Association.

First you need to go to the Manage Roster tab and go to either OKC's roster or 95-96 Sonic's roster. From there just trade every player on the two teams until the Sonics are comprised with Durant, Westbrook, Green, etc.

Next when you start a new Association, select custom league in the options. Then replace the Thunder with the Sonics.

Bam, welcome back home Sonics

# 22 statum71 @ 10/25/10 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahorton100


	What does it mean when a player has "G" show up under their feet?

"Gatorade".....fatigue

# 23 bnoe1023 @ 10/25/10 05:07 PM

This is a great idea. I hate the name "Thunder", and their logo is so cheesy. I'm definitely starting a new Association with the Sonics. Can't believe I didn't think of this before!

Has anyone else like me hardly gotten anywhere in Association mode because great new ideas like this one keep popping up?! I mean this game just has ENDLESS possibilities.

# 24 jeebs9 @ 10/25/10 07:58 PM

LMAO!! Now that is awesome story lol. I wish you would of posted a picture of Durant in the Sonics jersey. I have to try this out.

On another note, My friends last put on the **** series. They put the rest the debate of the Bulls vs the Current Laker Shaq. It was pretty. 7 game series. It was perfect. But in the the end...sort of disappointing. Kobe could not contain Jordan at all. worst part was Artest had no answer for Pippen. And then Rodman did exactly what the Celtics did as group did to Gasol in 08 finals. Make him disappear. 4 game sweep. Jordan averaged 40 while Kobe averaged a human 29 points and a lot of turnovers. lol

# 25 texasgmr @ 10/26/10 11:00 AM

I really enjoyed that read. Nice one!

# 26 OG_McNabb @ 10/26/10 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeydays23


	I tried this, but I put as many classic teams as I could, while still keeping the dominating teams in the game, but it was too hard keeping up with all the Bulls teams. Haha. But I love the idea you used to put the Sonics with the Thunder's roster in association. Even though imma Celtics fan, I was mad when you guys gpt robbed.

When I get the game I'm going to add all of the Classic teams, but I'll just keep it to 3 Bulls teams and 1 Utah team. I'll run with 86 Bulls (try to build a team around MJ) and include the first year team of each 3 - peat. Something like this:

West
Memphis
96 Utah replaces NO
92 Portland replaces Minnesota
91 Lakers replace Golden State
96 Seattle replace Sac town

East
Atlanta replace Toronto
86 Boston replace Phliadelphia
94 New York replace New Jersey
Cleveland replace Cleveland
91 Bulls replace Indiana
90 Detroit replace Detroit
86 Bulls replace Charlotte

Not sure where to put the 72 win Bulls yet. I'll probably just replace Toronto and find a spot for Wilkins' Hawks.
Hopefully someone will have a PS3 classic roster with Bench players by then.

# 27 LRBTODAY @ 10/26/10 11:56 AM

Very soon 2K will probably release a code or DLC w/ the hall of fame players listed. If you go to the hall of fame list in the Association Mode you will see who's on the list. The only players I didn't see was Jabbar and Barkley.

# 28 MJ23Sebastian @ 10/26/10 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ace23


	What do you mean by "trading them"?

yeah, like trading for example the 1992 bulls to the 2010 bulls, basiclly like switching them!

# 29 DJ @ 10/26/10 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OG_McNabb


	When I get the game I'm going to add all of the Classic teams, but I'll just keep it to 3 Bulls teams and 1 Utah team. I'll run with 86 Bulls (try to build a team around MJ) and include the first year team of each 3 - peat. Something like this: West Memphis 96 Utah replaces NO 92 Portland replaces Minnesota 91 Lakers replace Golden State 96 Seattle replace Sac town East Atlanta replace Toronto 86 Boston replace Phliadelphia 94 New York replace New Jersey Cleveland replace Cleveland 91 Bulls replace Indiana 90 Detroit replace Detroit 86 Bulls replace Charlotte Not sure where to put the 72 win Bulls yet. I'll probably just replace Toronto and find a spot for Wilkins' Hawks. Hopefully someone will have a PS3 classic roster with Bench players by then.

Good idea. I think I'm going to do something similar.

# 30 OG_McNabb @ 10/27/10 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djwlfpack


	Good idea. I think I'm going to do something similar.

Thanks. I'm thinking about keeping Sac-Town and replacing Denver. Put Carmelo and maybe CP3 on the current Knicks roster.

The East would be loaded but so would the West. I'd be the 86 Bulls but I wouldn't be able to not play some of the other games.

I probably wouldn't finish one 82 game schedule. Considering I've been playing 2k9 since Dec 08 and I'm only in the Finals of my second season.

# 31 Hellisan @ 10/28/10 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	Dustin wrote this article, not me, as the byline indicates

Still such a mean man

# 32 DJ @ 10/28/10 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OG_McNabb


	Thanks. I'm thinking about keeping Sac-Town and replacing Denver. Put Carmelo and maybe CP3 on the current Knicks roster. The East would be loaded but so would the West. I'd be the 86 Bulls but I wouldn't be able to not play some of the other games. I probably wouldn't finish one 82 game schedule. Considering I've been playing 2k9 since Dec 08 and I'm only in the Finals of my second season.

LOL, I know what you mean. I always have good intentions of finishing seasons but it rarely happens outside of football. That's why NBA Today is such a blessing b/c I can just play out the big games and use a bunch of different teams and then run a Franchise on the side; if I finish a season, that's great. If not, it's really not a big deal.

# 33 Galarius @ 10/28/10 03:48 PM

For my association I made it so the Non-Bulls teams pretty much got the current team's benches, and maybe a star or two if that particular classic team was a bit thin...It turned out with Bulls being #1 overall)only 9 in offense tho), and the lakers and Celtics at 2 and 3....I put Allen on the Sonics,but left Pierce...lakers got to keep Kobe and Odom...So it is a rich man/poor man's league, but it is really all about the playoffs(hmm, maybe just do a playoffs then dork)There are about 14 good teams this way(the 10 classic along with Heat, Magic, and afew others). so it is pretty fun...Most of the top teams have pretty weak benches to balance things out...Even Da Bull sbench is pretty weak really..Kucoc a 74??!?..C'mon, he was pretty durn close to an 80 during the second threepeat...Good 3 points, midrange, passing, and ball handling skills...defense and rebounding were pretty thin, but still.The guy was a big part of the winningest team ever, and was also quite a standout when he was starting before Jordan came back and they got Rodman.One of my favorite years ever was the 1st year Jordan retired and Pippen, Grant, Kucoc, and Armstrong made a quite impressive run until that cheap call the Knicks got in the playoffs...Just as well, the Rockets probably would have smashed them

# 34 OG_McNabb @ 10/28/10 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djwlfpack


	LOL, I know what you mean. I always have good intentions of finishing seasons but it rarely happens outside of football. That's why NBA Today is such a blessing b/c I can just play out the big games and use a bunch of different teams and then run a Franchise on the side; if I finish a season, that's great. If not, it's really not a big deal.

I play 82 games (plus playoffs) with 8 minute quarters. So I'm pretty sure I'll be playing 120 plus games in 2k11 with alll those classic teams. I'd have to get some other games in besides my 86 Bulls games. Can't wait.

# 35 sniperhare @ 11/16/10 08:21 PM

I didn't really watch NBA games until the Thunder came about, but it's cool that you went back and changed things into what could have been.

I've done the same thing in Madden games, like picking Suggs and Big Ben for the Jaguars instead of Leftwich and Williams.

# 36 Nevaeh @ 11/20/10 09:52 AM

Great topic for a great game. I'm still playing quick games to get my timing down, but to have the tools to create fantasy line ups makes me feel like a kid again. For fun I decided to pair Kobe up with Shaq again, and a chubby out of "retirement" Magic to challenge the 96 Bulls in a best of 3 Match up.

One thing that people forget about the old Bulls team is how great they were at rotating on defense. Most people just remember MJ and Pippen's dunks, Rodman's rebounds, and Kerr and Kukoc's 3 pointers. But when these guys wanted to lock you down, they did it.

Another thing I started doing was recording games to DVD's and I'll be darned if it's not like watching the real deal. A tip for recording is to keep gameplay speed at 40 with the Broad Cast view at 5 zoom-5 height (default). If you're running play's, you'll be amazed at how accurate it looks just watching your recorded sessions again.

Anyway, just want to thank 2k for knocking it out the park with what they have available technology wise. By 2020, if they're still making improvements, it's gonna be scary with the accuracy of players etc. Also GREAT idea having signature plays after the game to relive every player's moments CGI style after each game. That's like the ultimate pay off for all of your work during the game lol.

One final thing. Any B-ball game without MJ just feels incomplete, so keep bringin him back. 86 bulls, 91 bulls, and 97 bulls should keep everybody happy (along with accurate kicks of course).

# 37 jmarcguy @ 11/20/10 07:52 PM

I'm playing with the old Lakers. I've mixed in a bench that I think compliments the starters well. Chris Duhon, Peja, Ebanks, Sean Williams, & Steven Hunter. It's interesting to match the Lakers precision offense against the much more athletic teams of today. When I start my association I'm replacing the current Lakers with the old. I'm sending Kobe to the Clippers (not a bad team. ) Im putting in the old Pistons with Prince at sf & some of the current bench. Same with the Bulls & Utah. I'd put Bird & the Celtics in but the current team is too good.

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