NBA 2K14 Developer Diary - Player Rhythm, Personality Badges & More

[Sundown]

I LOVE this feature. A detailed and nuanced implementation of the intangibles in basketball. One of the first things I did was to check all the Emotion Badges for my Warriors.

Many I agreed with. Some, I have quibbles with:

Stephen Curry-- Alpha Dog, Dialed In, Volume Shooter

I guess I can go with Alpha Dog (though I don't think of him as Kobe-esque in any way). He has carried the team on his back when everyone was sucking-- see 54 in MSG. However, I'm not sure I agree with Dailed In and Volume Shooter.

Dialed In suggests that the player is better if he hits shots early, and Curry definitely has a tendency to do that with his insane performances after his "Lock in!" tweets. However, Curry became known for his third quarter performances even after being cold or spending more time distributing in the early half of games. His "Human Torch Mode" is based entirely on his ability to turn it on anytime.

Speaking of which, what happened to Microwave?

(EDIT: Oh, it's Dialed In now but with negative ramifications-- shots made don't get you out of a slump as easily. Not sure if I like that for Curry.)

Volume Shooter also suggests that Curry needs to get up a lot of shots to get and stay in rhythm. While this is partially true, I don't think Curry needs more shots than most players.

Volume Shooter combined with Dialed In encourages you to play Curry more as a hero ball chucker than as a PG looking to distribute off the defense he commands because he can go off anytime. It also works against replicating his 3rd quarter eruptions and playmaking selflessness.

Lastly Curry used to have Heat Retention from CG. This appears to be replaced by the Unphased Emotion Badge. Seems like Curry should get that badge back. You don't do 54 in MSG without that-- although I guess the argument could be made that he achieved it by being an Alpha Dog.

I think I'd look at replacing Volume Shooter with Unphased.

Klay Thompson-- Dialed In, Volume Shooter

I'm mostly okay with these-- since Klay seems either completely on or completely off between games. However, I expected Streaky Shooter since Klay is the definition of that.

If Dialed In is meant to represent streakyness game to game, and Streaky Shooter is meant for streaks in a game, then it's fine. However Klay does have a tendency to go cold for streaks even after coming in hot (think Spurs Game 2). I'd think hard about adding Streaky Shooter for Klay.

Klay might need Beta Dog soon at the rate he's playing.

Harrison Barnes-- Unphased

Seems like this should actually be the Cool Headed emotion badge (or whatever it's called). Barnes had anti-freeze in CG and I think that represents his ability to stay calm in the clutch better than Unphased. Barnes doesn't score often enough for Unphased to really matter or show up. I'd have to think about this a bit more but I'm leaning towards Cool Headed being more appropriate for him.

Andrew Bogut-- Defensive Anchor, Enforcer, Mentor

These are well chosen for the most part. I might also replace Mentor with Hardened. Bogut played playoffs at 60% on a half-rehabbed ankle that eventually gave out and still ended up being the second biggest contributor to the Warriors' series win over Denver.

I'm also not sure if Bogut serves the Mentor role on this team-- he's still hungry and had limited playoff experience as well. He's not really a stabilizing "it's gonna be alright" guy for the Warriors because he's seen everything-- it's more in his approach to the game and his general intensity and play. Jermaine Oneal might eventually be that guy.

Draymond Green-- Scrapper

I'd consider adding Mind Game. Guy loves to yak and called Lebron "soft" to his face during our road win last year. Maybe it's arguable whether his talking affects games but it does get under peoples' skin. See Chandler Parsons.

Andre Iguodala-- Swagger, Enforcer

Not sure about Enforcer. Iggy is not really a beat-you-up type of guy. Maybe replace that with Cool Headed or Beta Dog. Small sample set, but from what I've seen, Iggy can get buckets on this Warriors team when Curry and Thompson aren't.

Might also consider Prime Time for Iggy. He shot extremely well for Denver in playoffs last year, well above his season averages, and he just lit up the 76ers with a career best 7 3-pointers this season. I can only imagine what he'll end up doing to Denver.

Swagger is well chosen. Especially after last night. Apparently Iggy is now tied with Kobe, Wade, and Arenas for most made buzzer beaters since 04-05 (his first season).


Anyway, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this feature. So many of the intangibles I'd suggested representing in the past either as sig skills or as attributes made it (Sparkplug, Mentor, etc.). Many were very similar to the specifics I'd suggested. Some are even better.

[Gramps91]

I love how 2k tries to make each player as authentic as possible. Great stuff.

[ruLEX$$]

Do anyone know Paul George's badges and sig skills? If so please post

[kolanji]

I have never in my life seen devs so committed to details in a sports game....... no no drop that,...... in a any game ever!!!!! #REALTALK


VC I swear u guys need to be nominated for a game of the year award


Get the charging/blocking game right and NBA coaches will use ur game for scouting reports

[theredfish757]

Does anyone know if you can sim through games in MYCareer on ps4. I have played like 12 games and I cant find this option anywhere. Plus I dont see any options to talk to your gm. It is like im forced to always play the next game. Any one out there with any other experience???

[Droz10]

Can you play 2 player in mygm? If so I haven't figured it out. Would be very surprised if I couldn't play a franchise or season with a friend friend on my team. I haven't found any game mode that supports being on same team, except quick game, but let's be honest that's pointless. Can anyone shed some light?

[Droz10]

Can you play 2 player in mygm? If so I haven't figured it out. Would be very surprised if I couldn't play a franchise or season with a friend friend on my team. I haven't found any game mode that supports being on same team, except quick game, but let's be honest that's pointless. Can anyone shed some light?

[howboutdat]

i would like to say , i really love this game, just one thing ... please i hope the dev reads this ,.... please please please . fix the park!