NBA 2K15 News Post

Press Row Podcast: Life and Basketball with Da Czar

11:21 AM - January 23, 2015 by RaychelSnr

Longtime Operation Sports community member, basketball video game critic, and current NBA 2K development team member Nino Samuel – aka Da Czar – joins host Rich Grisham on the Press Row Podcast for the first time to talk life and basketball. The two break down NBA 2K15 in much detail, interspersed with stories of how Da Czar came to be and his journey from a game player to a game critic to a game maker. Da Czar’s passion and enthusiasm are infectious, making this an episode fans of any sport or video game will enjoy.

Enjoy the show!

Joining us this week:

Nino Samuel, 2K Sports(@Da_Czar)
And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. Do it one of these ways:

Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast and send us some Tweets while you’re there
Email the show at [email protected]

Also, the Press Row Podcast is now available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/...ow/id563624090, Stitcher Radio (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/oper...ss-row-podcast) , and the Windows Store, so subscribe to it and rate it too!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time: 1:28

Game: NBA 2K15Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: iOS / PC / PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 64 - View All

NBA 2K15 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 DJ @ 01/23/15 12:35 PM

This was a great listen! Learned a few things about 2K15 and enjoyed hearing Czar's journey to where he is now.

# 2 itchyroll_51 @ 01/23/15 12:43 PM

Cool show ^_^ Makes me wanna work even harder on my videos

haha

# 3 erickonasis @ 01/23/15 01:29 PM

Cant watch the vid at work but he helped make NBA 2k15?

hmmmm

# 4 DJ @ 01/23/15 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erickonasis


	Cant watch the vid at work but he helped make NBA 2k15? hmmmm

It's a podcast, so just audio.

# 5 rspencer86 @ 01/23/15 01:34 PM

Czar's story is a great lesson for all of you business owners or hiring managers out there:

HIRE PASSIONATE PEOPLE.

Sometimes folks get so stuck on looking at degrees, GPAs, "relevant experience", etc. that they miss one of the biggest factors in determining whether a person will be successful or not: passion. Without knowing anything about Czar's education and technical ability, you just KNOW he has had and will continue to have a huge positive impact on future 2K titles because of the energy and care he brings to the table.

Not saying that experience and technical ability are irrelevant, but it's frustrating to see people with a fire in their belly being passed up for a clock-puncher who happens to have the "right" degree.

Excellent show Rich and Czar, one of my favorites I've heard yet.

# 6 DJ @ 01/23/15 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rspencer86


	Czar's story is a great lesson for all of you business owners or hiring managers out there: HIRE PASSIONATE PEOPLE. Sometimes folks get so stuck on looking at degrees, GPAs, "relevant experience", etc. that they miss one of the biggest factors in determining whether a person will be successful or not: passion. Without knowing anything about Czar's education and technical ability, you just KNOW he has had and will continue to have a huge positive impact on future 2K titles because of the energy and care he brings to the table. Not saying that experience and technical ability are irrelevant, but it's frustrating to see people with a fire in their belly being passed up for a clock-puncher who happens to have the "right" degree. Excellent show Rich and Czar, one of my favorites I've heard yet.

Well-said, Spencer. There are some companies out there that don't get entirely caught up in experience and degrees (my current job being one of those) and will hire a less-experienced person if he/she shows a passion for the industry.

The "lack of experience" for me is always a cop-out for companies. How can one gain experience without being employed for said job? Silly to just dismiss someone that's just starting out or who has decided to make a career change.

Give me someone that has passion any day over a curmudgeon that's been clearly jaded by the industry.

# 7 GSW @ 01/23/15 10:10 PM

Passion and never giving up... the mantra for success in all areas of life.

Shout out to Czar and everyone else living their dreams!

# 8 Hammerhunker @ 01/23/15 11:55 PM

I've watched everything Da Czar has done on Sim Nation. Above all, it's the voice! The uniqueness is a pleasure to listen to and one that exhumes genuine passion.

Great Podcast. Another great example of following the passion.

# 9 Trackball @ 01/24/15 02:14 AM

Now that we know Czar's real name is Nino Samuel, I say 2K needs to get his given name and surname into the MyPlayer name list!

# 10 Smirkin Dirk @ 01/25/15 03:16 AM

Great listen.

Czar is a good dude.

# 11 Walt Frazier @ 01/25/15 05:11 AM

Great that Da_Czar is with the 2K team. Consider my purchase locked in for however long he remains working on the game. It is in the best hands possible

# 12 Prospect357 @ 01/25/15 11:35 AM

Hopefully he will bring positive change I wish they wud fix the bodies goin threw one another. Ripping the ball threw ur chest or having a Spalding 4 a brain, real momentum, weight, no more force field. Why does this yrs game hesitate so much. U can have a open player in the paint & he want go up 4 a shot til a animation occurs. 2k15 not rated higher than 2k14 bout the same

# 13 midwestking100 @ 01/25/15 05:33 PM

Thank you 2k Sports for adding da czar to the team. Ever since he has been added to nba 2k roster I believe 2k Sports outlook is getting brighter. There is room for improvement,but I look forward to nba 2 k16

# 14 23 @ 01/25/15 08:11 PM

Loved the chat

Czar keeps forgetting it was Hilary Goldstein that was the numbskull that said plays don't belong in a basketball game on an ign reviews.

It inspired the worst 2k ever imoin 2k4

# 15 Real2KInsider @ 01/25/15 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	Loved the chat Czar keeps forgetting it was Hilary Goldstein that was the numbskull that said plays don't belong in a basketball game on an ign reviews. It inspired the worst 2k ever imoin 2k4

I remember I trashed one of her review scores and she actually responded to it on my blog.

http://thereal2kinsider.blogspot.com...ectations.html

# 16 23 @ 01/25/15 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rashidi


	She was the worst. I remember I trashed one of her reviews and she actually responded to it on my blog. Total amateur, obviously way out of her league as far as sports games go.

No that's a guy... we all thought it was a woman at the time but you're right.

No idea why they listened to him

# 17 midwestking100 @ 01/26/15 02:02 AM

Hopefully 2k will hire more people that share the same passion for basketball video games like da czar. For example modders from nlsc. Their art work is outstanding.

More Links

Press Row Podcast: Life and Basketball with Da Czar