NBA 2k11: Become Legendary

(I know this is a blog about the NBA but I feel this is relevant)

On Tuesday, the 2k franchise released NBA 2k11 worldwide.  This game is one of the most anticipated sports video game releases of all time.  All of this hype is due to one player: Michael Jordan.  2k11 features Jordan on the cover and features Jordan in the game that will allow players to play with or against him in games.  Also featured in the games are the players from 3 of Jordan’s championship runs that feature nearly the entire roster of those teams including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Ron Harper, and Horace Grant.  You can also play with rookie Jordan from the 85-86 team. Other legendary teams include 90-91 Lakers with Magic Johnson, 91-92 Trailblazers with Clyde Drexler, 94-95 Knicks with Patrick Ewing, 95-96 SuperSonics with Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, and 96-97 Jazz with Karl Malone and John Stockton.  There are also a few other great legendary teams that I did not mention.

Another aspect in this game is the Jordan Challenge which challenges you to repeat the games Jordan had in his career.  Some of these include scoring 69 points vs. the Cavs like when Jordan did it in 1990.  Score 38 points and grab 7 rebounds in the “Flu Game” vs. the Jazz.  Another is to score 45 points and 4 steals in what would be Jordan’s final game as a Bull vs. the Jazz.  There are a 10 total of challenges and if the player completes all of them they receive Jordan shoes for players to wear in the game as well being able to draft Jordan onto a current NBA roster.

This game is much more difficult than last year’s edition.  It takes more effort to drive to the basket and you must make much smarter passes or they will be stolen.  Computer AI is great in the game and is a lot of fun to play.  Career mode is very in-depth and the My Player aspect where you create your own player and then attempt to work your way onto an NBA team is also fun to do.  I would recommend this game to any NBA or any real sports fan in general.