As of the day I’m writing this, new Cavs throwback players were birthed into the marketplace. Pink diamond Mark Price, diamond Zydrunas Ilgauskas, etc. None of these players hold much interest to me, but that’s not what I’m here to discuss today. If you happened to notice my cover image to this article, I’m about to take Throwback Thursday to another level:
NBA 2K18.
Last time, I mentioned my technical issues with 2K19. Over the previous couple of weeks I’ve tried and tried get this resolved. 2K blamed Sony. Sony blamed 2K. And after jumping through all sorts of hoops (re-installing the game, re-building the database and initializing the PS4), I’m still unable to play through a full game of NBA 2K without my system crashing. It sucks.
No other game I own, regardless of how big or processor intensive (Call of Duty, Red Dead) causes me any trouble. So I decided to try something different. I re-downloaded NBA 2K18, installed it, and hopped on MyTeam. My last “god squad” was still there.
I still really love the look of these cards.
So I asked the guys to lace it up and hit the court again after a six-month hiatus. They didn’t skip a beat. LeBron flew all over the court and dunked on everyone. James Harden hit insane stepback 3s all night long. And Tim Duncan (who, if I’m remembering this correctly, was free via a glitched locker code that was active all day) was a beast inside, offensively and defensively.
It was a lot of fun, actually, though it did make me appreciate the gameplay advancements of 2K19, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The visuals of 2K19 are better as well. But you know what, none of that matters because I got to finish a game. Multiple games, actually, so I guess my crashing issue is specific to 2K19. I wonder if it has something to do with the internet connection? Or maybe the connection with the TV and specifically the HDR? Again, any suggestions would be much appreciated because it’s supremely frustrating.
I played a few more games (basically just redoing Domination games) so I could I add a little MT to my 2K18 MyTeam coffers. And then, just because I was curious, I went shopping in the auction house. Yes, there are still plenty of people active on 2K18!
I bought myself a pink diamond (99 rated in 2K18) Anthony Davis to make up for the fact that I won’t be playing with the new 2K19 20th Anniversary AD anytime soon. 2K18 Anthony Davis was amazing. Oh, and by the way, the hall of fame badges on those cards were insane. AD had 14, and do you remember this LeBron?
Twenty seven hall of fame badges! The new LaMarcus Aldridge pink diamond Moments card I would buy (if I could play 2K19) only has three. I had an amethyst Steve Francis last year that had three.
It just kind of puts things in perspective. I’m sure newer cards going forward will get progressively better, but I think if I do get 2K19 working again, I’m going to just sell everything and lay low until the All-Star break. There will be a huge market crash of course, and we’ll get some insanely overpowered cards. Like probably a galaxy opal Luka Doncic for being MVP of the rookie/sophomore game, or maybe a pink diamond Brook Lopez if he somehow gets into and wins the 3-point shootout. Wouldn’t that be cool? Or, most likely, yet another pink diamond Harden for some reason or another.
I already sold my PD Gilbert Arenas and a few other things I had been hoarding, so might as well just clean house. Word on the street is that a Signature Series Kobe day might be coming soon, so I guess keep your eyes peeled.
But back to Anthony Davis for a minute. Is it just me, or are these new Series 2 Anniversary Cards kind of ugly?
And the cards that came with AD (diamond Ray Allen, amethyst DeMarcus Cousins and ruby Dominique Wilkins) are a bit uninspired. How about a diamond P.J. Brown or Trevor Ariza instead? Or maybe an amethyst Tyreke Evans, he seems like a perfect MyTeam player and he hardly ever gets any love.
Then there’s been A TON of Moments cards recently. I’m happy to see the content (even if it’s a bit redundant at times), but I just wish I could enjoy it.
On the other side of that coin, though, I guess I should be thankful that I can’t play — otherwise I’d be obsessed with pulling packs to get that new pink diamond Harden. Ah well, I’ll put that money towards something else. Like therapy.
I need that therapy because even though I can’t play the actual game, I’m craving cards like a meth addict.
I mentioned the Cavs throwback cards earlier, but they also dumped a bunch of retro Spurs cards on us in the recent past. I really want the George Gervin. Or, more accurately, I really want any amazing wing players I can find. It seems like 2K is skewing content releases towards undersized guards or big men. Then when we do get a solid wing, like Harden or Kawhi, they nerf the 3-point shooting.
That amethyst Sean Elliott looks like a solid 3-and-D wing I could settle for, but the Iceman is one of the best to ever play, and I could easily see myself running an offense through him. His price is still a bit on the high side for me though, so I’ll be patient.
Speaking of wing players to salivate over, in case you hadn’t heard, 2K added a new galaxy opal card to the Rewards board. It’s Big Game James, and he looks nasty. I wasn’t particularly interested in grinding for tokens to get Wilt, but I definitely want this Worthy. His 16 hall of fame badges include Catch and Shoot, Posterizer, Lob City Finisher, Defensive Stopper and Post Spin Technician. Plus, his open and contested 3-point rating is 90. Not too shabby for a career 24 percent 3-point shooter in real life.
According to the game, 89 people already have him. Are you one of those 89? How is he? Amazing? I bet he is. Let me know, because for now I want to live vicariously through you.
