MoistVaj

For anyone interested or who doesn't know, college hoops is back and it's on ESPN UK. Tonight, it's Kansas Jayhawks vs. Duke Bluedevils at 3am which will pit the much-hyped Andrew Wiggins against Jabari Parker. Wiggins has been touted by many as the next Jordan and both he and Parker are being touted as two of the best draft entrants in years (both will enter the NBA next year, for those who don't know).

 

Must-watch!

Yeah, Wiggins is the favourite to be the No. 1 draft pick.

 

When you say he's touted to be the next Jordan, does that mean he's touted to not be as good as LeBron?

Please don't troll.

LeBron isn't even in the conversation yet when it comes to greatest of all time. He's still light years away from MJ. For a start the rules protect him in the modern game, if MJ played with current rules he's be averaging 45+ plus every night and would have probably had a 100 point game at some point. As good as LBJ is, he's not MJ and he never will be. The modern game denies him that, it's not his fault he didn't play in the golden era of NBA, but amongst other things such as MJ being 6 for 6 for 6. LBJ has already lost 1 finals too.

He's lost 2 actually, forgot about Cavs Spurs. Ha.

Kevin Love is doing his best to fuck up the Wolves bright start to the season. Apparently he wants the entire roster other than Rubio available for trade... Hmm...

For someone who is likely to join the Lakers next year, it's a bit of a shitty move really. I don't get his problems, didn't think he was such a moaner either, especially considering the franchise has waited around for him a lot with all of his injury woes.

Yeah I went a bit mental when he hit that. Not that there was any doubt, he's so cold blooded!

It's D Rose vs Kyrie tonight. Should be a lot of fun, not sure if I'll watch it yet live, definitely catch up tomorrow after work though.

Art, is there a highlight show daily on NBA TV? I must admit, I am really missing ESPN's NBA Tonight, not only were the pundits fantastic, it was a great way of keeping up with other teams plays and results. Although I check daily, I must confess to only really watching play off contenders when it comes to live games. NBA Tonight was a great half hour show which gave highlights of all teams. I just don't have time to watch every game, as much as I want to!

Woodson has to be done after that performance tonight. I'd go with Jeff Van Gundy. He knows the organisation inside out and the fans love him. Woodson has lost the team, he did a great job when he came in but they've been so poor so far.

Yeah he should, but give it time and I'd imagine Brooks will end up going with him. Perkins will probably end up being traded before the deadline. I think he came out recently and said he was holding the team back, so I would imagine his time is coming to a close at the club.

Nets/Pacers is an odd one. You can never guarantee a win in the NBA, the regular season is so unpredictable, but as I alluded to in the season predictions, I don't see this Nets team gelling very well. Pierce and Garnett don't look like they want to be there, Kidd is in his first year coaching, Deron Williams doesn't look the same player he was under Jerry Sloan in Utah.... So the Nets will probably win!

The Pacers are looking fantastic. They look hungry and ready to go one round further than last season. I think the Thunder are looking nice again. My main concern is lack of outside shooting off the bench but KD and Westbrook will play virtually all 48 once we hit the crucial parts of the season. Steven Adams is proving to be a nice surprise, he was grabbing boards for fun last night in the win against the Pistons last night. He also showed a nice shooting touch. It would be nice to get him consistent minutes, the less we see of Kendrick Perkins the better, he's been a liability on the offense and I don't think he fits the run and gun style of play the Thunder use. The defense hasn't been amazing so far though, but with Westbrook easing his way back I expect that to change.

I've been listening to ESPN NY on Itunes and the topic of some of the Knicks phone-in shows seems to be that they want Phil Jackson in ASAP. I can't see it personally, he said he's done coaching but I reckon Melo and Amar'e would flourish in a triangle offense set up. Whether Chandler could up his offensive game when he gets back, might be another sticking point.

I ended up getting League Pass Premium and an Apple TV set up for my room, as Art says it's perfect. The only problem I have with it is that the sound quality dips quite often, and you get the same 4 adverts every 10 mins!

Great season so far, I've been impressed the most with the Warriors and Wolves so far. I'm sticking with my prediction of Mini reaching the play-offs, particularly if Rubio and Love stay healthy.

Haven't seen all the action from last night, but Michael Carter-Williams absolutely torched the Heat last night which was the game I watched last night. 9 steals on his debut was incredible! A new rookie debut record too. The Heat looked sluggish for large parts, starting off trailing 19-0 at one point. It was only the 3 ball falling for them later on that brought them back into it, although they did rest Wade. Exciting season ahead! Durant dropped some huge points on the Jazz too. Business as usual.

I've decided to go for the NBA TV Live pass for a month at a time at the minute. It was only 7 quid and they have at least 1 game a night as well as all the highlight shows and classic games.

I haven't got enough spare time at the minute to dedicate to the premium league pass, so I'll see how I get on.

Art,do you know of any sites UK based where you can pick up classic games on DVD? I have quite a few in my collection but they are mainly from iOffer where the scene is a bit dead these days. I know of Pontel, but they're far too expensive to be honest.

Nice set of predictions there. I'd swap Miami with Chicago in the East, and in the West I'd swap Houston and Clippers. I love Doc Rivers, and I think he'll do well there but as much as I enjoy watching the Clippers, I'm not sure Blake Griffin has got enough D for Rivers liking. I'd also swap out Denver for Minnesota. If Kevin Love stays fit all year and Rubio keeps improving I can see them making it. The Nuggets sacked George Karl and lost Iggy. I think sacking Karl has been the worst move of the off season, completely brainless that one.

Still no TV deal though! Shocking really, the NBA are not even answering fans questions about the matter, deeply disappointing that.

I've got to say I don't fancy the Nets getting past the first round in the East. Brook Lopez is so hot and cold it's unreal, he's not imposing enough for his size either. Deron Williams has been living off his Utah days since he's been a Net. Pierce and Garnett could be decent additions if they are used accordingly. I just don't like the Nets as franchise so I'm probably being biased.

In terms of who I support, I love OKC because Kevin Durant is my favourite player in the entire organization. The 2012 finals I was genuinely devastated, especially being a game up. Harden disappeared, everything went wrong. If Durant left, I'd follow the team he joined. I'm surprised Kendrick Perkins hasn't been ditched yet, he's been garbage for 18 months now. Ibaka needs to find a reliable shot too, he died in last years playoffs. I think letting Kevin Martin go might be a mistake, but not as big as the decision to let James Harden go. Building through the draft always makes a team more likeable though, something the Thunder have done.

I grew up during the golden 90s era of Channel 4 NBA coverage, the highlights show on a Saturday Morning after Football Gazzetta with James Richardson, so I'll always love the Jordan Bulls era. Scottie Pippen is actually my favourite player of all time though, I've got 7 different Pippen jerseys in my collection!

Going back to this season. I fancy the Rockets to do well, as previously stated, if the old Dwight Howard turns up in Houston, and Harden carries on last years form, I think a top 4 seed should be easily reachable.

I also think the Lakers will struggle. Regardless of whether they make a play for Lebron or Melo, I think they might end up in the lottery with Boston, I think both are that bad this year. As much as I love Rondo, the Celtics are tanking this year. There's hardly any offense there worth talking about, unless Jeff Green has a huge breakout season ala Paul George, I see them and the Magic and the Sixers filling out the bottom seeds in the East.

Pistons should be fine this year, Jennings as I've said before is vastly overrated, mainly by himself but Josh Smith was a great pickup, and Jennings is better than Knight who they had in there last year. I think the pick up of Billups was a smart move, he should steady the backcourt, providing he stays fit.

I also see the Hawks dropping out of the playoffs this year too. Didn't particularly rate their moves, they're also paying Kyle Korver an insane amount of money to essentially just be a spot up shooter.

EA Sports have all but confirmed that Ultimate Team is in NBA Live 14 this year. Could be a saving grace for the series, and mask the flawed gameplay somewhat. Mike Breen also confirmed for commentary. BANG!

I've been playing a lot of 2k14 on PS3. The gameplay is even better than 13, the defensive play is much improved and really, however the game itself is really bugged in many game modes and sliders, and they still haven't released any info on a patch. I don't mind too much as I've got both next gen titles on pre-order but I think it's only fair they sort it out soon for people not intending to go next gen yet.

From what I've read, they're holding back signing a deal with a tv station in order to maximise League Pass sales. Underhanded but smart from the NBA, still really annoying. Do you still have that 15% off code for League Pass? I might have to bite the bullet and sign up this year. Last time I had it they didn't have a direct feed from NBA TV, but it seems the premium option gives you this feature now, might well be worth picking up.

 

I reckon that they'll announce it with a few days to go. I very much doubt that they'll end up letting us miss opening night again.

 

Discount code is: NBALP152013. I've got league pass but I definitely still want the TV deal. It's the only way to grow the game here.

I tried using the code but it wouldn't let me use it for the premium package, thanks anyway though!

Can't wait for tip-off now, football is pissing me off this season so having the hoops back will be a good distraction.

How many pieces do you think the Blazers are away from getting back in the playoffs? I'm not sure when LeMarcus Aldridge's contract is up, but if they don't get back in soon, I can see him testing free-agency. I'd love to see the Bulls pick him up, but I'm not sure anyone would be willing to pick up Boozer's huge contract!

From what I've read, they're holding back signing a deal with a tv station in order to maximise League Pass sales. Underhanded but smart from the NBA, still really annoying. Do you still have that 15% off code for League Pass? I might have to bite the bullet and sign up this year. Last time I had it they didn't have a direct feed from NBA TV, but it seems the premium option gives you this feature now, might well be worth picking up.

Most people over at Operation Sports are shitting all over the Live 14 trailer. I've got to admit, I agree with them. There's no reason whatsoever that EA couldn't have released that on current gen. In fact, it actually looks a lot like Live 10, and that's not a bad thing to be honest, at least it gives the series a base to build off and it's got the best commentator in the game Mike Breen.

Art, did you release there's no TV deal in place for the UK this year for season tip off for the second year in a row?

As a Knicks fan, you must be worried about Melo's recent comments regarding free agency. I can't see him re-signing to be honest.

As good as Lebron is, and he's going to be top 3 of all time by the time he finishes, I don't see him sitting around at Miami waiting for a new cast to fill around him. Wade, as we mentioned is close to being broken. Bosh, I see going elsewhere, he doesn't play a big enough role in the offense and he's basically been along for a great ride in which he's contributed next to fuck all for large parts, his rebounding in particular has been pathetic often, and let's face it they could have picked any semi-decent big man to cover the role he's played at the Heat, Amar'e for example could have picked up those rings that Bosh has. He needs to be a vocal point of the offense, like he was at Toronto, that's why I see him elsewhere too. There were strong rumours he was going to be traded to the Bobcats for a draft pick, but alas this years class looks very weak. Lebron, teaming up with Kyrie Irving on the other hand, giving back to his home town team, along with the other young guns there, now that I can see.

I don't see Lebron leaving at the end of the season, everything he has said this offseason has hinted that he will stay in Miami

 

As I said above one of the big 3 will likely be gone and I'd say that will be Bosh, would love to see Wade be a one club man for his carrer and stay with us till he retires, it's been 10 great years so far (well 9 the least said about the 07-08 season the better) and want to see another few, though as you guys rightly say he has been slowed by injuries over the years and given his style of play it wont get any easier

I don't know, he made suggestions he was going to stay with the Cavs before he made 'The Decision.' I think he even said never say never in regards to a Cleveland return last year after a crazed fan ran on court and hugged him.

The thing with Wade which won't make him as graceful a veteran to watch as a Vince Carter or Kobe Bryant is the fact that he doesn't have a reliable jumper and his perimeter shooting is all over the place. I would have thought last season would have taught him to slow it down. Still, an amazing player to watch in his time, always 100 MPH and 100% commitment every time he hits the floor.

Yeah the Warriors are great fun, the addition of Iggy should improve them further, Steph Curry is one of my favourite players in the entire association. I actually wanted Rajon Rondo to have joined the Pistons, I think he could have propelled them into a top 4 seed in the East, playing with his best mate J-Smoove, some of the 1-2 punch play would have been great to watch. As it stands, the addition of Brandon Jennings is probably enough to get them a low seed with J-Smoove, but I think Jennings is probably the most overrated PG in the league. He's not garbage, but he's not anyway near as good as he likes to think he is.

I don't see the Heat three-peating. As mentioned by Art Vandelay, Dwyane Wade's knee's are taking away his explosiveness, they should probably use him sparingly during the regular season but do they do that and risk dropping a seed or two? I've already championed the Bulls and the return of D-Rose to take them back to the top seed, I also think they'll come out of the East. My only concern is the lack of shooters around him this yer, the Bulls usually have one of the deepest benches in the league but off the top of my head Mike Dunleavy Jr is the only notable addition this year, with the exits of Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli, that might factor. However with their domination on the boards and the return of Rose, I reckon they might just see off the Heat in the play-offs. Greg Oden signing for the Heat is going to be interesting. If he stays fit, and that's a big if, they've just cured their rebounding woes with one player. Whatever happens, Lebron will end up back in Cleveland at the end of the season.

In the West, I can't see past the Thunder. I really hope they go the whole way for Kevin Durant, he deserves a title more than most. Once Westbrook returns and starts firing consistently again, I can only see the Spurs stopping them.

The Rockets are going to be a ton of fun to watch this year. I'm expecting Celtics and Lakers to go down the tank route, Wiggins is too much of a game changer to ignore.

Sounds like a brilliant evening, jammy git winning the tickets! Kevin Durant is my favourite player in the entire organisation. He's so humble, likeable and seriously fucking good. If he doesn't win a title with the Thunder I'll be gutted. I saw him live at the Olympics and it's incredible how fast he is for his size. I didn't go last night as it's a bit too far for me to travel for a friendly, but I did go to the Knicks Pistons game at the o2 last season. I think this thread should be changed to the NBA thread.

The new season should be a good one, if Derrick Rose stays fit all year and has his explosiveness back, I can see the Bulls coming out of the East this year. I still don't see Brooklyn getting out of the first round, as much as I love KG and Pierce, I think they'll flop there massively. It'll be an interesting year for many franchises, Lakers and Celtics are both going to tank for Wiggins next year I feel, he's a game changer from day one.

The graphics look fantastic for Live. I think that the stats changing hourly is interesting too, should keep it fresh. I read they've got one more surprise to unveil at the end of October. If it's Ultimate Team I'm going to be very happy.

2K looks like it might have had a lazy year as far as current gen goes, they haven't added any new legends teams ( which is my favourite part of the last few years) and although it's a substantial roster, there's huge gaps which are unacceptable. No Charles Barkley or Kareem is pretty fucking piss poor. To include a classic Kings team without Chris Webber was baffling too, they've been axed this year though. Still, on gameplay merit alone, the game is fantastic and has been for years. It's an exciting time to be a basketball game fan.

Huge NBA fan.

I've already pre-ordered both for PS4, but EA have compared themselves to the Cavs, which I would suggest is not claiming to be the best at this moment in time, but give it a few years and it may very well be.

I'm hyped for Live 14 though, it does look awesome. The series needs to shake off the negative stigma surrounding it and actually put out a title this year and I think we can expect a half decent game this year. My main problem with past live titles was that the gameplay felt a little wooden, especially in comparison to 2K, which I agree with you has been the best sports game out for the past few years now, by a distance too.

I'd always been OK at helicopters in previous GTAs -- as in disproportionately competent compared with the other parts of the game and didn't even have a problem with the remote control helicopter mission in Vice City -- but they seem much harder to control in V, even though the planes are OK.

 

Am I alone in thinking, etc.

I'm actually the complete opposite. I find the helicopters fairly straightforward to control and land, as where the planes are seriously irritating to land. A regular habit of mine is hitting the runway and then driving slowly off it and brushing a cactus and the plane explodes.

Cheers for that. That actually doesn't sound too bad with the scouting thing. I don't play FM, I find it quite boring, so a watered down version in Fifa career mode suits me.

 

How does the gameplay differ from the demo? I appreciate what they're trying to do by "grounding" the players, but I was finding it quite sluggish. Is the final product more fluid?

They've finally got long range shooting sorted, it genuinely feels possible to score drives from distance at last instead of that floaty feel to shots. That and the off ball movement of AI is fantastic, a genuine improvement. Sadly that's where it ends on the positives end. It does feel sluggish. Lobbed through balls are ridiculously overpowered, I hit one with De Gea directly to van Persie's feet and put him clean through on goal. Crossing is overpowered, and the heading is crazy too. Bullet headers from 25 yards. It's got issues, if patched they've got basically the same game as last year.