Wayback Wednesday: A Tribute to Doug's Stats

Talk about the NLSC Podcast, Monday Tip-Off, Wayback Wednesday, The Friday Five, Top 10 Plays of the Week, and our Parsec Tournaments! This is also a section for NLSC and community announcements, and other site-related topics.

Re: Wayback Wednesday: NBA Showdown Retrospective

Postby Andrew on Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:35 pm

Wayback Wednesday: NBA Showdown Retrospective

As someone whose basketball fandom was solidified in the mid 90s, my introduction to the virtual hardwood came slightly later than other hoops gamers my age. My first basketball video games were NBA Live 95 for Super Nintendo and the PC version of NBA Jam Tournament Edition, with NBA Live 96 PC also being an early favourite. To that point, I didn't grow up playing any games in the NBA Playoffs series; the forerunner to NBA Live. As such, while I've always respected their contributions to the genre, I don't have the same nostalgia for them as I do the early NBA Live titles.

Indeed, I've found the NBA Playoffs games quite difficult to get into, as they lacked many of the innovations that began with NBA Live 95. They are intriguing of course, and as I've added some of them to my collection, it has been fun and illuminating to spend some more time with them. Although they have their quirks, I've come to better appreciate them, and it's been fun noticing early versions of features that later became staples of NBA Live. NBA Showdown was the final release before the re-brand and revamp, and the Super Nintendo version has captured my interest lately. In a way, it bridged the NBA Playoffs and NBA Live series. Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: An Experimental MyCAREER in NBA 2K15

Postby Andrew on Wed Jan 29, 2025 1:14 pm

Wayback Wednesday: An Experimental MyCAREER in NBA 2K15

After going back and finally playing through that first cinematic MyCAREER story in NBA 2K14 - and getting completely hooked on it - that left NBA 2K15 as the only eighth gen game whose tale I hadn't completed. There are a couple of reasons for that. In 2014, I still hadn't warmed up to the idea of a narrative-driven MyCAREER mode, and unfortunately, the NBA 2K15 MyPLAYER isn't the most likeable protagonist to take control of! I was also trying to give NBA Live 15 a fair chance to impress, and actually ended up playing a lot of Ultimate Team that year.

However, you don't produce a feature like Wayback Wednesday unless you're willing to give games a second chance, and dive into the history of the virtual hardwood! To that end, I have gone back and finally properly played through MyCAREER in NBA 2K15. It does have its issues, in terms of both the story and the general experience, and some of my initial impressions were on the mark. At the same time, there is an enjoyable experience there, and the approach that it took was definitely an interesting experiment. Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: A Tribute to the T-Meter

Postby Andrew on Wed Feb 05, 2025 1:14 pm

Wayback Wednesday: A Tribute to the T-Meter

While a solid basketball video game may be able to get away with advanced controls that are complex and even contrived, the basics must be well-designed and easy to use. If shooting is clunky, or jumping on defense is useless, or trying to pass to a teammate standing next to you is somehow a chore, then the game is not mechanically sound! To that point, while free throws aren't something that will (or at least, should) happen on every possession, they are a part of the sport as the result of infractions, and thus a basic skill that needs to be properly represented in video games.

Of course, just as certain titles have botched other fundamental aspects of basketball, developers have devised some bewilderingly terrible ways of shooting free throws on the virtual hardwood. All too often, they were needlessly complicating what should be a straightforward mechanic in the name of creativity, challenge, or trying to represent a shooting motion. What those games should've done - and indeed, some did - was to copy what EA Sports were doing with the T-Meter. Dated as it may seem, it remains one of my favourite mechanics for free throws. Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: What If...Karl Malone Broke the Scoring Record?

Postby Andrew on Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:24 pm

Wayback Wednesday: What If...Karl Malone Broke the Scoring Record?

Welcome to what I hope will be a recurring Wayback Wednesday feature, in which I explore some intriguing NBA What Ifs, illustrated by basketball video games! For a hardcore basketball and history buff, diving into the league's biggest What Ifs can be just as interesting as reflecting on real events, results, and records. What small change would have a huge impact on NBA history? Which important events that defined the legacies of teams and players are dependent on a particular decision or twist of fate? For want of a nail, what possible butterfly effects can we imagine?

Considering that I remain a huge fan of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, you might think that I'd be inclined to explore a hypothetical involving them. After all, for all of their success during the 90s, there are a couple of What Ifs there! I will get to them at some point as I do have my own opinions to share, but they're popular NBA What Ifs that have been discussed many times before. As such, for my first What If, I'm imagining a timeline where Karl Malone breaks the all-time scoring record. It's a once-feasible event that's hardly discussed now, so let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: NBA Street Homecourt Retrospective

Postby Andrew on Wed Feb 19, 2025 12:29 pm

Wayback Wednesday: NBA Street Homecourt Retrospective

Eighteen years ago tomorrow, the Xbox 360 version of NBA Street Homecourt was released, with the PlayStation 3 version dropping a couple of weeks later. Featuring authentic courts where NBA players honed their talents growing up, it marked a tonal shift in the series. As such, it's easily the most divisive NBA Street game! However, while it may not have been a hit with everyone, it definitely has its strong points. I've always enjoyed it for what it is, and the fact that I caught an early glimpse of it at an NBA Live 07 community event undoubtedly contributes to my nostalgia for it! This video retrospective is a long time coming, so let's take a look back...way back...


phpBB [video]
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: The Lockout Rosters of NBA Live 96 16-Bit

Postby Andrew on Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:27 pm

Wayback Wednesday: The Lockout Rosters of NBA Live 96 16-Bit

There have been four lockouts in the history of the NBA. We all remember the two big ones that happened in 1998 through early 1999 and in 2011, because they actually resulted in games being cancelled. Conversely, I'd suggest that fewer fans recall the lockouts of 1995 and 1996, as the former was resolved in time for the season to begin on schedule, while the latter lasted all of two hours before the league and the Players Association came to an agreement. As such, those stoppages ultimately weren't as impactful or controversial.

Basketball gamers are well aware of the effects that lockouts had on the 1999 and 2012 season titles. However, the 1995 lockout impacted a few video games as well, including Konami's NBA in the Zone, and NBA Live 96. The PC and PlayStation versions of NBA Live 96 were released late enough to include offseason moves and the new rookie crop, but the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive versions were released during the lockout, sticking them with outdated 1995 season rosters. As such, they capture an interesting moment in time. Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: Updating NBA Live 96 PC Before Modding

Postby Andrew on Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:20 pm

Wayback Wednesday: Updating NBA Live 96 PC Before Modding

There are a few reasons why NBA Live 96 PC remains one of my all-time favourite basketball video games after almost three decades. It was the newest NBA Live as I was really getting into basketball, set in the memorable 1996 season. Along with the PC version of NBA Jam Tournament Edition, it's one of the very first basketball video games that I owned; indeed, I still have my original copies of both titles! It was also the game that ultimately led me to discover the NLSC when I finally had access to the internet, and thus was my introduction to modding, then called patching.

Of course, even before I learned about the modding/patching scene, I'd developed an interest in updating NBA Live 96 PC. I'd suggest that whenever a basketball game has roster editing functionality, at some point most of us get the idea to update it. Whether it's making moves from the current year, or updating it for a new season, there's an interest in playing a game we like with the latest rosters. There was only so much that we could change in NBA Live 96 PC's rosters within the game itself though, which is what made modding such an exciting discovery! Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: Bulls vs. Blazers and the NBA Playoffs

Postby Andrew on Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:17 pm

Wayback Wednesday: Bulls vs. Blazers and the NBA Playoffs

As I've mentioned in previous Wayback Wednesday retrospectives and other articles, my introduction to basketball gaming was through NBA Jam Tournament Edition, NBA Live 95, and NBA Live 96. To that end, I don't have the same nostalgia for the NBA Playoffs series - EA's forerunner to NBA Live - as people who got into hoops and the virtual hardwood earlier than I did. The massive jump that took place with NBA Live 95 made it difficult to truly appreciate its predecessors at first, but as I've collected them and given them a proper chance, they've definitely grown on me.

I've jumped around a little as I've covered these classics for Wayback Wednesday. I tipped things off with the Olympic spinoff Team USA Basketball, went back to the beginning with Lakers vs. Celtics, and then most recently profiled NBA Showdown. Since chronological order is already out the window and a retrospective is overdue anyway, I figured I wouldn't waste any more time getting to Bulls vs. Blazers! The final game to bear the "NBA Playoffs" branding may have been surpassed by its successors, but it's still a classic release. Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: What If...Michael Jordan Didn't Retire in 1993?

Postby Andrew on Wed Mar 19, 2025 1:23 pm

Wayback Wednesday: What If...Michael Jordan Didn't Retire in 1993?

Yesterday marks thirty years since Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA following his retirement to play baseball in 1993. If you know your NBA history, you're well aware of what happened next. After falling to the Orlando Magic in the second round, the Chicago Bulls bolstered their roster with Dennis Rodman, and His Airness led the team to a second threepeat before retiring for the second (but as it turned out, not final) time. Even with the interruption - even with the controversial Wizards stint - Michael Jordan had a tremendous career to put it mildly.

Of course, even with all of his accomplishments that still lead many pundits and fans alike to declare him the Greatest of All-Time - and I'm among them - MJ's career does invite a couple of What Ifs. The most obvious one that would've changed the course of the mid 90s, and further added to his legacy, is if Michael Jordan didn't retire in 1993. Now, as I acknowledged when I discussed the What If regarding Karl Malone becoming the all-time leading scorer, hypothetical scenarios don't prove anything. They're fun to consider though, so let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: Magic's BIG Moment in NBA Live 14

Postby Andrew on Wed Mar 26, 2025 12:33 pm

Wayback Wednesday: Magic's BIG Moment in NBA Live 14

The eighth generation was a rough and ultimately unsuccessful attempted comeback for the NBA Live series. At the same time, those releases also demonstrated flashes of brilliance and meritorious ideas that were worthy of far better games. Appropriately, NBA Live 14 exemplifies the duality of the generation of games it tipped off, being notably flawed while also featuring some excellent concepts. That includes a couple of modes that were powered by live service content and EA Sports' partnership with Synergy Sports, namely NBA Rewind and BIG Moments.

I ended up quite enjoying BIG Moments in NBA Live 14. Granted, that was in large part due to their brevity which allowed me to avoid becoming too bothered by all of the gameplay flaws, but I genuinely had fun with them, too! I was also pleasantly surprised to see a couple of historical BIG Moments come through, including games for Dominique Wilkins and Magic Johnson. However, Magic Johnson's BIG Moment - which was added eleven years ago today - also showed that NBA Live 14 definitely wasn't the best game for such a cool idea. Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: 30 Facts About NBA Live 95

Postby Andrew on Wed Apr 02, 2025 12:37 pm

Wayback Wednesday: 30 Facts About NBA Live 95

Can you believe that it's been some 30 years since NBA Live 95 came to PC? The calendar says so and the maths checks out, but it's still tough to get my head around! In any case, three decades have passed since EA Sports' basketball games made a triumphant return to PC, and in doing so, ultimately inspired the creation of the NLSC and our modding community. With that in mind - and since we didn't end up running any "official" 30th Anniversary of NBA Live content last year - it's only appropriate that we mark the milestone with another look back at this iconic game.

Obviously, between Wayback Wednesday, our previous anniversary content, and other features, I've covered NBA Live 95 rather extensively at this point. A game of its quality and importance deserves its due though, especially on an anniversary. And so, I've decided to compile 30 fun facts about NBA Live 95 to celebrate the occasion. As you can imagine, it's difficult to find 30 things about the game that haven't been said before, but there are a few points of interest that aren't talked about all that often. Hopefully, some will be news to you! Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: The NBA 2K14 Server Shutdown

Postby Andrew on Wed Apr 09, 2025 12:18 pm

Wayback Wednesday: The NBA 2K14 Server Shutdown

The unfortunate reality of games with online features is that at some point, support for those titles will end. Obviously, this is a useful way for companies to push us towards buying a newer release, but in all fairness, it's also understandable that the servers are shut down once a game's userbase has largely moved on. Naturally, this happens even quicker with annual sports games. As much as we hate to lose online support for older classics, most gamers do move on every year, making it difficult to justify the expense and effort of maintaining the servers indefinitely.

It's still a bummer though, especially when we're locked out of save files and content that should be able to function in a limited capacity offline. While we're never pleased to see the end of online support, the NBA 2K14 server shutdown ten years ago proved to be particularly controversial. Not only did it impact the way that Take-Two handled online support for future titles, but it also hinted at future controversies with a lack of communication and goodwill when it comes to the NBA 2K series. To that end, it was a significant event with lasting ramifications! Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: NBA 2K9 Retrospective

Postby Andrew on Wed Apr 16, 2025 12:45 pm

Wayback Wednesday: NBA 2K9 Retrospective

I had to double-check that I hadn't already covered NBA 2K9 in a previous Wayback Wednesday retrospective. It's not that I won't revisit games that I've already profiled if I have new thoughts to share, but if it is my second opinion, I want to acknowledge my previous take. As it happens, I specifically reflected on NBA 2K9 coming to PC, but it wasn't a detailed retrospective. My only real commentary on the game itself was to say that it doesn't hold up as well as its successors. Irrespective of how accurate or inaccurate that critique of NBA 2K9 is, it's hardly an in-depth retrospective or review!

Since then, I've developed a greater appreciation for the games that came before NBA 2K13. NBA 2K6 and NBA 2K7 have even retroactively become a couple of my all-time favourite basketball games! However, as I've previously explained, I wasn't as impressed with NBA 2K8. It felt like a misstep, a sentiment reflected in many of the contemporary reviews. In any case, I was due to revisit NBA 2K9 next, so it's been in my rotation in anticipation of this retrospective. With that being said, does it hold up, and has it also become a retroactive favourite? Let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: Retro Jerseys in NBA Live 10

Postby Andrew on Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:37 pm

Wayback Wednesday: Retro Jerseys in NBA Live 10

Some basketball gamers have declared NBA Live 10 to be the best game in the NBA Live series. While I've definitely come to enjoy it a lot more over the years and would agree that it's the last really good release in the series, I still give the nod to NBA Live 06 PC as the best all-around hoops sim from EA Sports. With that being said, NBA Live 10 is very solid and a lot of fun on the sticks, had some great ideas with adidas LIVE Run and Dynamic Season, and even brought back a standalone Playoffs mode. Unfortunately we lost the All-Star Weekend, but Dynasty mode was still there.

And of course, NBA Live 10 brought back retro jerseys! The lack of historical content during the seventh generation NBA Live titles was undoubtedly a knock on the series, especially since Legends and throwback uniforms were still being featured in the sixth generation versions and their PC ports. However, one of the goals for NBA Live 10 was to celebrate basketball culture; an initiative that not only led to the addition of The Hangar, but also the return of retro jerseys. It's a part of the game that I really enjoy whenever I'm on an NBA Live 10 kick, so let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Wayback Wednesday: A Tribute to Doug's Stats

Postby Andrew on Wed Apr 30, 2025 1:58 pm

Wayback Wednesday: A Tribute to Doug's Stats

I'll admit that sometimes I yearn for the World Wide Web of yesteryear, when fansites were king and before social media became everything. Selfishly, it's because we didn't have to compete with platforms backed by billionaires, but beyond that, I miss seeing other websites that have the same passion that we do. At this point, we've outlasted a number of our contemporaries, from fellow NBA Live fansites to our former host, GameSpy. Some of those sites have been preserved by archive.org, but many others are sadly gone forever.

Occasionally, someone will drop by the Forum or one of our social media pages to reminisce and express joy that we're still around. Obviously it's always nice to receive flattering compliments and read people's positive memories of the NLSC, but I also relate to it because I too am heartened to discover a site I once used to visit is still around decades later. One of those sites is Doug's Stats, which as I mentioned, was once an essential roster modding resource in our community. Doug's work definitely deserves recognition - even to this day - so let's take a look back...way back...
User avatar
Andrew
Retro Basketball Gamer
Administrator
 
Posts: 114788
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2002 8:51 pm
Location: Australia

Previous

Return to Featured Content & Community Noticeboard

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests