NBA 2k13: Association Check In

I just finished my second season of my association mode. I went 21-8. (26-3 in my first season) I repeated as NBA champions with League MVP, Most Improved player, and Final MVP, James Harden (27.8ppg/6.0apg/5rpg) Last season, league MVP/Finals MVP was Derrick Rose.

Starting 5

 Derrick Rose               James Harden                   Rudy Gay                 Carl Landry             Andre Drummond

Season 3 (Current)
PG Derrick Rose, 98    $18mil
SG James Harden, 90   $15mil
SF Rudy Gay, 93      $18mil
PF Carl Landry, 80        $7.5mil
C Andre Drummond, 69       $2.6mil

Bench
PG Eric Maynor, 72      $2.5mil
SG Jeremy Lamb, 80        $2.5mil
SG Corey Brewer, 74      $1.5mil

PG Josh Selby, 65             $884K
SF Adam Morrison, 58      $494K
PF Fab Melo, 61               $494K
C Joel Pryzbilla, 58           $490K

Season 2
PG Derrick Rose, 96    $18mil
SG James Harden, 86   $14mil
SF Paul George, 84      $12mil
PF Josh Smith, 88         $12mil
C Chris Kaman, 75       $3mil
Bench
PG Austin Rivers, 72       $2mil
SG Jeremy Lamb, 75        $2mil
SF Kenneth Faried, 77      $1.5mil
PF Fab Melo, 59               $494K
C Joel Pryzbilla, 60           $490K
PG Josh Selby, 63             $884K
PF Brian Scalbrine, 44      $494K

In the original fantasy draft (season 1):
Rd. 1 Derrick Rose
Rd. 2 Roy Hibbert
Rd. 3 Paul George
Rd. 4 Kenneth Faried
Rd. 5 Jeremy Lamb
Rd. 6 Courtney Lee
Rd. 7 Austin Rivers
Rd. 8 Yi Jianlian
Rd. 9 Josh Hamilton
Rd. 10 Robin Lopez
Rd. 11 Josh Selby
Rd. 12 Brian Scalabrine
I immediately made a move to secure me a #2 player, James Harden. I traded Roy Hibbert and draft picks.
To fill the hole I created at Center, I moved Courtney Lee and draft picks for Chris Kaman.

So, just finished my second season in association mode. As I mentioned last check-in, I increased the difficulty to Superstar, and as such found myself in much lower scoring games. The games have been much tighter. I relied much on the passing game, making Josh Smith and James Harden my go-to scorers (Harden 28ppg/Smith 22ppg) while Derrick Rose drastically dropped to 14ppg, but increased in assists (9 to 13apg)

While my team has been very well-rounded and has won back-to-back championships, I find the lineup getting stale. I've gotten kind of bored playing games, so I thought I would shake up the roster.

In the offseason, I made a few big moves, with the biggest being the trade of Paul George and Josh Smith for Rudy Gay and Carl Landry.

Under normal circumstances, I would never in my life make that trade. I love Prince George and Josh Smith way too much. But, in the NBA finals the last two seasons, I faced the 76er's and their franchise guy was Rudy Gay. He would tear me up left and right; his inside game is disgusting and he can hit the 3 pointer need be. I thought it would be fun to nab him in exchange for 2 cornerstones of my team. I like to think I created some elaborate storyline in this alternate NBA universe.

New franchise player. Part of my new big 3 along with Rose and Harden

While Gay was the focus point of the trade, Landry was almost as important. He had a very cap-friendly contract for his rating (80) and he had the player skills/inside game that would still give me a scoring presence inside, with Smith gone (Hibbert was my guy in season 1.) I may move Landry for draft picks for cap relief, though. With 3 large contracts in Rose, Harden, an Gay, I'm strapped for cap room.

For my next move, I traded Kenneth Faried for Andre Drummond and a 1st Rd. Pick. 

Faried's morale has been quite low all season, with many minutes going to Jeremy Lamb. At one point, I was going to trade him, but as HUGE Kenneth Faried fan, I couldn't pull the trigger. Well, I finally did after it seemed he was inconsolable. The move didn't do much for improving my team, but it did create a challenge for me:

New project. Code-named Operation Big man, bigger stick.

Andre Drummond was the 9th overall pick (in real life) by the Pistons this past year and while he is raw and has tons of upside, his 2k13 rating is piss-poor. (59) He possesses the 'Eraser' player skill and has a very high dunk rating (87) and solid rebounding. I thought it would be a real challenge to take the 19yr. old, 6'10" C and make him great. He has a decent potential (B) and I increased it in camp with the 'Unlock Potential.' The move saves me lots of money (signed him to a 5 year deal, 2mil/yr,) too.

I also let Chris Kaman and Austin Rivers walk because of cap reasons. Very, very sad to part with Rivers.

Brian Scalabrine retired and I brought in Adam Morrison (Just need someone who won't be angry sitting on the bench.) I picked up Corey Brewer and Eric Maynor is Free agency. The latter was a pick made before the Gay trade to replace Rivers and save 1mil/year. His 2.5mil cap hit is a bit too much for me. I may trade him and bump Selby to backup PG.

I am currently under the cap $875k

While the roster shakeups weren't necessary, it keeps it fresh. It's fun to explore more players. The only mainstay will be Derrick Rose. That guy isn't leaving my team ever! Cheers fellow 2Kballers!

NBA2K13: Dunk n Donuts

You want to learn how to do every dunk in NBA2K13? Look no further, Kyle Korver.

Vanilla Dunk

Hold RT, then push X

Reverse Dunk

Hold RT and move LS away from the basket & press X

Spin Dunk

Hold RT, double tap B, and press and hold X (under hoop)

-Must start move with space to the basket.

360 Dunk

Hold RT, double tap B, then press and hold X (at end of spin)

Between the Legs Dunk

Hold RT, press X

-Make sure you are coming off your left hand

(Not all players can do this dunk. Must be in their dunk package)

Between the Legs 360 Dunk

Hold RT, double tap B, then press and hold x

-Make sure you are coming off your left hand

(Not all players can do this dunk. They must have it in their dunk package)

Jordan's Foul Line Signature Dunk

Hold LT and RT and press X at foul line

(exclusive to Michael Jordan only)

Remember, every player has their signature variations of the moves above. Josh Smith's reverse dunk will look different than Vince Carter's and so on. Vanilla dunks have the most room for signature dunk variations. Players like Paul George will routinely 1 hand, windmill jam it. Try out dunking will all sorts of players. JR Smith and LeBron James are my favorites to use.

                                                          Nothing is more satisfying than a fastbreak highlight dunk.

NBA 2K13: The Floater

If you're like me and have an unhealthy man crush on Derrick Rose, then you know all about his trademark floater. It's a great way of getting a basket on a fast break (if you don't want to Hopstep) and is ideal for getting a shot over bigger defenders when driving.

For the longest time, I had no idea how to do it. Eventually I got smart an youtube'd a tutorial.

Thought I might share.

How to do the Derrick Rose Floater

I'm not a fan of using X (Xbox) or Square (PS3) to shoot. I prefer the Shot Stick. In order to do the floater with the Shot Stick:

- Run towards the basket WITHOUT HOLDING TURBO.
- Then hold LT and press the RS away from the hoop.

It takes some getting used to, but you can always turbo towards the basket, then let go of it before you do the floater.

Newbs Rhymes with Boobs

So, I went into the lobby of my dorm and saw some kids playing 2K13. I was like, "Hell yeah! No more Madden."

....Until I saw they were playing with the Heat and Lakers. I sat and watched to see if they were any good. I usually associate anybody that plays with the Heat or Lakers as casual players: people that don't put in a solid 1-2 hours of 2K a day like myself and my friends.

These kids played 5 or so games, and only used combinations of the Thunder, Heat, and Lakers.

They only used 3 teams. I couldn't help but think I should go out there next time and do some damage with the Bobcats or Magic and show them what's up.

I also saw one of them wearing a Nuggets snapback...again, I was like "Hell yeah!" I asked him if he liked the Nuggets and he said "No, I just liked the hat."

Lame.

NBA 2k13 Hidden Gem: Austin Rivers

The new face of the New Orleans Hornets

I don't know about everyone else, but I've been putting in an unhealthy amount of time into this year's newest installment in the the NBA 2K series, Association Mode, specifically. I just love the GM aspect of creating the ideal team. I got a pretty amazing group spearheaded by Derrick Rose and Roy Hibbert, but the player that has emerged as the mid season MVP? Austin Rivers.

Austin Rivers, you say? MVP over Rose? The overrated PG from Duke who takes too many shots? The 'Other' selection the New Orleans Hornets made in the 2012 NBA draft? Yes, him.

I don't what it is, but the 10th overall selection this past June is making highlight after highlight every time he comes off the bench. At 6,4" 93 speed, and a strong inside game (He has the Acrobat ability) Austin Rivers is like a poor man's Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook. You feel quite confident driving and getting around the backcourt with him.

Rivers and Waiters helped 2K with Motion Capture for their in-game counterparts.

His ball-handling is superb and it is ridiculously easy to drive to the hoop. He plays so much better that his 67 overal player rating suggests. His hopstep is very nice and leads to great fade aways and layups. Rivers also has a solid 3 pointer and can easily land you a Sprites Slam Cam dunk if you get a lane to the hoop.

I strongly recommend giving him a go, whether it be drafting him in your Fantasy Association, or using the Hornets in a quick game. You'll be saying Anthony Davis who in no time.

-Josh