Monday Tip-Off: Matching MJ in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER

[Andrew]

Monday Tip-Off: Dunks, Layups & Three-Pointers

The midrange jumpshot has become an underrated and too-often scorned method of getting buckets in the NBA. You can blame analytics and box score watchers for that, as well as the success of the Golden State Warriors in the 2010s. Threes may be worth more than twos as the saying goes, but a missed shot is worth zero, and three-pointers remain more difficult to hit; a fact backed up by consistent three-point percentages over the years. Nevertheless, modern shot charts demonstrate how the midrange is ignored in favour of shooting in the paint (sensible) and chucking threes (less so).

Ironically, despite their reputation for ushering in the three-point revolution and making the midrange jumper unfashionable, the champion Warriors actually did a lot of damage from that area. Kevin Durant operated in the midrange frequently during his Warriors run, and despite being a prolific three-pointer gunner, Klay Thompson also regularly attempted shots inside the arc but beyond ten feet. The midrange was Shaun Livingston's bread and butter. Nevertheless, the philosophy is to either get those extra points with three-pointers, or go for the high percentage shot with dunks and layups at the rim. To that end, it reflects a long-time basketball gaming strategy!

[Andrew]

Monday Tip-Off: Matching MJ in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER

TObviously, simply saying that I'm reflecting on matching MJ is a huge spoiler for how Year 6 of my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER turned out! Of course, I've already revealed that via my story topic, and a highlight reel of the 2019 NBA Finals. To that end, this column isn't intended to keep everyone in suspense about the results, but rather to share my thoughts as I continue to play through a full MyCAREER in NBA 2K14 for PlayStation 4. Although I did take a break to play some other games that captured my attention, I knew it wouldn't be long before I returned to complete my latest season.

While Year 6 did bear some similarities to the Drive for Five in my fifth season, in other ways it once again proved to be a unique journey with its own ups and downs. From vying for statistical feats, to players getting injured, to contending with different matchups in a league that's seen a variety of changes over the course of six seasons, I was definitely as invested in Year 6 as any prior campaign. Even though the cutscenes didn't exactly reflect it, I actually felt like a veteran who's been around the block a few times; a feeling that I enjoyed as it made the year special. And so, on top of matching MJ with six titles, here's how Year 6 of my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER went down.