We’re back with second edition of Take Two, the series where I try to explicate a couple of topics that may or may not have anything to do with each other. This time around the subjects of choice are the league emails (read in a scary voice) and team accommodations.
Feel free to email me if there’s a particular topic you want covered in a future iteration of Take Two.
Emails
The league has emailed 250 players to notify them that they have been chosen (a la Neo) to progress to the penultimate stage of qualifying for the inaugural NBA 2K League draft. The league intends to narrow the field down to 102 players by the draft. Teams will conduct virtual interviews with a number of the 250 and will pare down their options from there.
Many big community names have already posted images of their “acceptance” email, but a not-insignificant number of relatively unknown players got the nod as well. For those with the Wonka-esque “golden ticket,” congrats; just remember that there’s still a lot of work to be done. The first cut may have been the biggest, but the second will be the most excruciating. Emails, or lack thereof, won’t define you as a person; only you can do that.
Team Accommodations
Been seeing a lot of sweet, sweet pictures of living and gaming spaces that teams are providing for their players. The league is taking after more venerable esports organizations in having communal housing, and I fully approve. Live together, win together. While there is certainly something to be said for having an exclusive, private space to which to retreat at the end of the day, I think the benefits, and improved chemistry and bonding that come with communal living outweigh any negatives.
Gaming will be the universal common feature in the players’ lives, and sharing that experience comprehensively can only have a beneficial effect on their on-virtual-court performance. There are some really sweet amenities, too. The league is really insistent on having healthy players. Franchises are beginning to integrate gaming into their NBA home bases as well, with the Mavericks and Kings being particular front runners in that regard. Teams will pay for housing and amenities, as well, which is a pretty sweet deal.
Just picture an NBA team’s film room made into a video game film room — basically a gamer’s dream. Go take a look at some of those pictures. Then stare at them like James Harden gazes upon a prone, fallen Wesley Johnson.
