Sports Gaming: NBA 2K14 - First Impressions

I love most sporting video games. Maybe AFL Live in 2011, which was a bit of a flop. But I have always enjoyed Basketball Games. So yesterday I bought NBA 2K14.

Soundtrack:

I'll only review four or five songs on this post. Here it goes.

"Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell Williams and T.I 

Good, catchy song, but does it fit with a basketball game when you wanna be pumped up? Ok choice, but I wouldn't listen to it for a pre-game.

6.5/10

"Cool 2 be Southern" by Big Krit

Good song, also a little humorous to me personally, not sure why. Good, relaxing mood which helps to put the player at ease. Good Choice.

8/10

"Not Afraid" by Eminem

It's a great song. Especially for a good pump up.

9.5/10

"The Rulers Back" by Jay-Z

Very good choice. Personally I find Jay-Z's music inspiring as well as soothing.

9/10

"Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Feat. Ray Dalton)

Always pictured this as a Basketball Song, although would've liked to see Wing$ in the soundtrack as well.

8.5/10

"In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins

Who doesn't like a bit of Phil Collins. Soothing voice, and a motivating song. Good Choice here too.

9/10

"Started From The Bottom" by Drake

Not really a Drake fan, and sort of find his music a bit, I dunno, boring. Only personal opinion here, but this could've been left out. 

5/10

Teams Available:

The inclusion of EuroLeague Basketball teams is a nice touch, especially as an Aussie, who can use players like Nate Jawai and Joe Ingles (FC Barcelona). Olympiakos are a very good side on here. Also, bringing back the super teams of yesteryear like in 2K13 is a good touch. Oh, how I love the 95-96 Bulls. The only thing they could add to this now, is either some College teams, or to bring in International teams such as Lithuania, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Brazil ect. Either of these pathways to go in 2K15 would provide a great game. Team Choices= 8/10

The Teams to play with:

Some teams you should definitely consider using against your mates:

Miami Heat (Of Course)

San Antonio Spurs

Brooklyn Nets

Golden State Warriors

Dallas Mavericks

Indiana Pacers

'95-96 Bulls

'70-71 Lakers

Olympiakos

NRL: Grand Final Review

Manly's Road to the Grand Final:

Manly 30

South Sydney 20

Manly 24

Cronulla 18

Roosters 4

Manly 0

The last time Manly faced the Roosters, it ended in heartbreak. Just 4 points separated them and a week off. They hadn't beaten a top 4 side until Round 25's win against the Storm. Since then, they've come back to win against the Souths, and came close to beating the Roosters. Can they go one better this time round?? Manly are a club built for success. They can rise to the occasion. 

Sydney's Road to the Grand Final:

Sydney 40

Knights 14

Sydney 4

Manly 0

They've had the best record throughout the season. They've dominated on all fronts. Their remarkable season includes a massive 640 points for, and just 325 against. 18 wins and 6 losses. Had the Souths made the GF, you maybe could see an "upset" if you could call it that, but its hard to see anyone toppling the Roosters.

My Prediction:

Manly 12

Sydney 32

It's a Buddy Circus

It's caused an outcry among all Victorians. A snicker from across the border, and outrage out west. No. I'm not talking about the Federal Election... This is much more important. This, my friends, is the eulogy.

Eulogy of what? 

Well, the grave has been dug by Mick Malthouse, Eddie McGuire and James Brayshaw.

RIP COLA. You served the Swans well.

The cost of living tax is on its death bed. Why? Because the Swans just went one big deal too many. And it is a massive offer too. 9 years. $10million. Sure, in comparison to other sports the pay isn't too flash, but we've never believed in the amounts that the US pay their stars. Plus it's also with circumstance that they pay us different. Those whom are poor in the US (many of whom become sporting stars), are much poorer than the poor in Australia. They are not only supporting themselves, but their family and friends too. They are also owned by Franchises, something we refuse to do. But $10million is a massive sum of money to earn in the AFL. It may be the final move, that kills the COLA. It went unnoticed for years, due to the Swans players sharing out the money quite evenly. No longer is that the case. They're targeting big guns. Tippett, Franklin ect. And the other Presidents of the 16 non-New South Welsh clubs are left with egg on their face. 

Demetriou does not like criticism, so it is more than likely that he will scrap the COLA forever, as soon as possible.

RIP Cost of Living Allowance. You have been honourable in your cause. But Buddy has been the death of you.

NFL-Who's Hot, Who's Not-Week 4

Who's Hot:

San Francisco

The 49ers, although shaky in the first quarter, finally were able to put themselves on the winners list again, against the 1-3 St Louis Rams. 370 total yards this week, compared to 254 last week v Indy and 207 v Seattle in week 2. Kaepernick and the 49ers offense finally clicked. Well, enough to beat a fairly rank opposition. 

New Orleans

Wow. Prolific dominance and just good football has turned up the heat in New Orleans this season. They have come out firing, going 4-0 for the first time since the hugely dominant 2009 season (where they went 13-0). Not much more to say than, Dang, these guys are hot.

Denver Broncos

52. 49. 41. 37. 

No that isn't player numbers. They, are the tally of the Denver Broncos scores for each week. Peyton Manning has thrown for 1,470 yards, at 117/156 completion rate. AFTER FOUR GAMES!!!! This man, is a unit that I cannot see being stopped, unless his neck does it for him...

Who's Not

Philadelphia 

Terrible. Defence. Offence. Terrible. Proves that it ain't the coaches problem, 'cause Chip isn't a bad coach, and look at what Andy Reid is doing at Kansas City with a decent QB. Eagles=BAD ATTITUDE. That hurts to say, as I support them. But it has to be said.

Week 5 Tips:

Bills v Browns

Bills 17 - Browns 14

Ravens v Dolphins

Ravens 21 - Dolphins 27

Saints v Bears

Saints 34 - Bears 24

Patriots v Bengals

Pats 42 - Bengals 27

Lions v Packers

Lions 21 - Packers 17

Seahawks v Colts

Seahawks 34 - Colts 31

Jags v Rams

Jags 7 - Rams 13

Chiefs v Titans

Chiefs 28 - Titans 14

Giants v Eagles

Giants 21 - Eagles 34

Panthers v Cardinals 

Panthers 14 - Cardinals 17

Broncos v Cowboys

Broncos 42 - Cowboys 24

Texans v 49ers

Texans 21 - 49ers 18

Chargers v Raiders

Chargers 31 - Raiders 14

Jets v Falcons

Jets 13 - Falcons 21