With the NBA Season restarting after the All Star Break I started thinking about the NBA 2K series. NBA 2k is a staple within the black community and in sports gaming. Suppose you're a sports fan; it is almost blasphemy if you don't have a copy of 2k in your house. The rise of 2k started as a rivalry with NBA Live, but 2k began to add a story mode and an online mode to play with friends, which caused the fanbase to lean towards them over NBA Live. Not to mention gameplay was more realistic than Live, along with their soundtracks. NBA 2k 11 was the best model they made. Not only was Kobe on the cover (RIP), but all the game modes were at their best. Campaign mode had your manager give you assignments to complete (outplaying certain all-stars) to get endorsements which felt worthwhile, but an online method called The Crew allowed players to play each other. It was the content creators' first time playing with/against each other. Fast forward to now, NBA 2k 23, and it's become a love/hate relationship. Players have become over-competitive with their players' customization, and microtransactions are all over the place; do you want to make your player overpowered? Debit or credit. 2k has now spent so much on their new variations of the multiplayer mode that they need to pay attention to the single-player. Now that I've given you a rundown on what NBA 2k is, here's my pitch on how to make one of their game modes better.
2k MyPlayer: Story Of My Life
Here's an idea for the story mode. In my opinion, 2k 16 had the best story. A high school kid from New York plays through college and then the league while carrying the baggage of friends and family members who have their own input on your decisions. In my story, you're a high school kid climbing the board and deciding which college to commit to. Your favorite player visits the city to endorse a streetball tournament, and you sign up, hoping to meet them. After beating the competition, you win the tournament but find out your favorite player never showed up; thus begins, the rivalry. Your hate towards that player grows as you pick your school. You tear through college and the championship game is against your idol's alma mater; your idol happens to be in attendance as you beat them, and you tweet to your idol on how you beat his team. He pays you no mind, which for some reason, angers you even more.
The draft day arrives and after turning heads at the combine and a few lovely interviews, you are finally drafted to the NBA. Your first statement is that you wish to play against your former idol, which is televised and shared throughout all media outlets. The world is unsure whether to support your boldness and confidence or laugh at your ignorance. Your idol takes note of your words and retweets your comment with a "Can't wait. Mark your calendar". Espn is all over the situation and the NBA makes the game nationally televised for the world to see. A few games go transitioning from college to pro and getting acclimated. After a few great games the media is already anointing you as the next big thing but some opposing players need more clarification on that. The big marquee matchup has arrived and your teammate get injured, causing you to play more minutes and guardian your former idol. During the shoot, you two meet face to face and you approach him on how you will beat him. Instead of him firing back your former idol grunts and paying no mind to you. Feeling disrespected, you're ready to face him in the game.
The teams trade baskets as they head to the 4th quarter. Your character begins to gloat that you held your opponents to under 20 points but then things get crazy. Your former idol turns on the switch and starts scoring effortlessly, you try to match up with his shots which impress a few players but ultimately, you lose the game and your idol walks off on you. A few workouts and interactions give you insight on who your idol was. The coach takes notice of your desire and refers you to a renowned personal trainer. After meeting the personal trainer at the gym you find out they also trained your former idol. The connection only fuels you to do better to show off your skills to the trainer.
After your special training your game erupts and sponsorships start knocking your door. Nike, Adidas, Jordan, Gatorade, Under Armor, Beats, JBL, you name it. Interviews with Taylor Rooks, JJ Redick, Charlemagne Tha God, Bleacher Report, House of Hoops, even Ronnie 2k. Your marketing team invents this brand for you and creates this "Mr Showtime" character for you which reflects your players ability. Artists like Travis Scott and Lil Uzi Vert want you in their music videos. The world is buzzing about you and just in time for your long-awaited rematch.
SHOWTIME
The rematch against your idol is here and nationally televised as well. This time you beat him on an epic game-winner as you clinch a spot for the playoffs. After the game your idol congratulates you on your recent success and awaits you in the playoffs. Travis Scott makes a song "Showtime" for you that's broadcasted for your playoff debut. First round is over with ease but the next round is the fate clash between the idolizer vs the idol. In a pound-for-pound matchup we reach seven games with game seven becoming a choke job.
Your season ends in defeat, and instead of sulking, you party… big time, all as a distraction from the big questions. Mr Showtime lives up to his name but friends within your circle become concerned; even your former idol checks on you but you dismiss him. Next thing you know Mr. Showtime starts having trouble with the law, and your team cuts you. Hitting rock bottom.
ROAD TO REDEMPTION
Your endorsements and marketing team has left you. Some stole from you even, but the one person who comes to help you is your former idol. He refers you to his therapist and agent, who build "the road to redemption" campaign. Playing in the g league and returning to the NBA. You return to training with your personal trainer, and your idol writes a book that illustrates his road to glory. After learning the struggles of fame, you sympathize and make peace with your idol's decisions. Now that you've returned to the NBA the media has changed, and now you must win to silence the haters.
After a grueling season you return to the playoffs and reach the NBA finals against your rival. "Lay it all on the court" are his final words as he declares this to be his final season. After six epic games, game 7 will go down in history. An OT thriller with you beating him; the crowd cheers and the haters have been silenced. The trophy is yours and your idol comes out the tunnel and passess the torch to you.
Now is this the next big story to make 2k win awards? I don't think so. Is it better than any of the previous 2k story modes? Unanimously yes. Some would argue the best 2k story came from Spike Lee back in 2k16. But the trend of "upgrading graphics" and "realistic AI" have become the primary focus for the game. If 2k put more effort into other game modes, people would enjoy the game more. Until than, the sports gaming community will continue to love/hate the fun, and sports games will continue to be bottom tier.
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