Cyrus Kyle Langhorne Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

NBA 2K25: I'm blown away by the best basketball game on the market

Just keeping it 100? I didn’t feel a need to secure a copy of NBA 2K25 this year. I’ve had solid past outings and have own every 2K dating back to 2K17 but this year didn’t feel like a must… until all the hype, in-depth videos and community co-signs swayed me to going all-in requesting a review copy.

Just keeping it 100? I didn’t feel a need to secure a copy of NBA 2K25 this year. I’ve had solid past outings and have own every 2K dating back to 2K17 but this year didn’t feel like a must… until all the hype, in-depth videos and community co-signs swayed me to going all-in requesting a review copy.

Holy. Smokes. I’m blown away. Hardly scratching the surface of what NBA 2K25 has to offer - I can honestly tell you this is a solid production and definitely puts a step forward in the right direction for gamers looking for the franchise to promise and deliver on some real developments.

Of course the VC conversation is always going to be there, but NBA 2K makes sure to provide multiple fun factor lanes for all the gamers out there. The ones completely invested in the 2K franchise for years and even those newbies finally down to give the brand a chance. I really want to focus on the newbie factor - an entire production called ‘Learn 2K’ is here for those ready to try 2K for the first time or even those coming back to 2K after a major hiatus. Peep the deets:

NBA 2K25 features a new Learn 2K mode that lets players learn everything from the basic mechanics of 2Kall the way through how to execute the most advanced moves. Whether players want to try out the newRhythm Shooting, learn the hundreds of moves, play mini-games, run drills, or work through practicescenarios, Learn 2K is an educational tool built to make NBA 2K25 more accessible for all. For morebeginner friendly features, check out MyTEAM and The City’s new beginner features and guides!

It’s not just for the iPhone 16 delivering AI awesomeness. How about the power of artificial intelligence making its presence felt in NBA 2K25? Oh yes.

To make AI play a more complementary role in NBA 2K25, we made improvements to Court Spacing, Offense, Defense, Coaching, and the AI Difficulty to elevate your overall experience. Take a look at some of the key changes below:

COURT SPACING

  • Our new spacing engine has over 20 adjustment locations from inside the 3-point line that feeds AI a constant stream of spacing information yielding life-like results.

  • Individual freelance has also been redesigned to account for this new spacing engine.

  • This extends to the tech that drives AI double team reactions to increase the priority of spacing during double teams.

OFFENSE

  • We revamped our cut to basket logic for the AI to lessen untimely cuts to the rim in freelance by your AI teammates, leading to better driving lanes and drive and kick opportunities.

DEFENSE

  • A redesign of our defensive help logic, allowing for better pursuit angles and rotations.

COACHING

  • Players now have the ability to save and share their playbooks with the NBA 2K community!

AI DIFFICULT

  • AI difficulty is now based on more than just shooting percentages. Lower difficulties will experience less aggressive offense and defense, and make fewer strategy changes or adjustments.

  • We scaled on-ball defensive delays per difficulty so attacking the basket on lower-level AI is easier, including increased body-up win resolutions for easier blow-bys.

Impressed? Need to just get back to the online features like The City? My goodness - I can’t even begin to tell you how much they went into making The City feel more intimate - not as big as in past versions and really putting more time and focus into the immediate surroundings - like a factory loaded with massive robots and courts to an actual pirate ship for balling. Yup. Pretty insane stuff.

NBA 2K25 features an all-new living, breathing City with basketball at its core. Centrally located in the heart of The City is the Boulevard of the Stars, an upscale street with easy access to all of the game modes, shops featuring iconic global brands, and—returning in NBA 2K25—your MyCOURT (more on that later). Everywhere you look in The City ties into basketball, even the light poles draw inspiration from perfect green releases; the surrounding buildings prominently display colorful murals featuring many of the league’s biggest stars, including cover athlete Jayson Tatum in front of your MyCOURT.

Once again, just having NBA 2K25 in my possession for a few days, I’m beyond blown away. So much exploration. So many gaming options. So many features - not to mention some futuristic optional paid DLC mode called Gravity Ball? Oh yes, NBA 2K25 is definitely delivering.

Today, 2K also announced Gravity Ball, the newest game from Visual Concepts South, the team behind Lego 2K Drive. Gravity Ball is a fast-paced online multiplayer game - accessible through NBA 2K25’s The City, as optional paid DLC - where players team up for a supercharged, futuristic experience with unconventional rules and a unique competitive thrill.***

Entering an arena-like dome, players will compete in 3v3 or 5v5 formats and try to outscore their opposing squad by taking aim at a series of numbered targets. Working with teammates to maintain possession, players will weave their way through the defense, and utilize Power-Ups to outscore the rival squad in this madcap game. Featuring a multitiered court and four different Power Ups, GravityBall is pure off-the-walls mayhem.

Players on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC can experience Gravity Ball within NBA 2K25 for $7.99 when it launches on Friday, October 18. Learn more about the experience directly from Visual Concepts President Greg Thomas in his blog here.

Mind-blowing. With the real NBA season here and NBA 2K25 locked and loaded for taking your love for The Culture even further? What better way to toast it up to tonight’s tip-off than gaming it up? Have fun, Attackers.

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Cyrus Kyle Langhorne Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

Lil Wayne: Weezy F. Baby having a one-on-one with the NBA Finals trophy is too epic

The best rapper Lil Wayne of all time with the iconic NBA Finals championship trophy? Kind of makes sense, right? Turns out the moment had to go down and of course the cameras are rolling.

The best rapper Lil Wayne of all time with the iconic NBA Finals championship trophy? Kind of makes sense, right? Turns out the moment had to go down and of course the cameras are rolling.

It’s smiles and funny moments between Weezy and the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Priceless.

‘Of course the @nbafinalstrophy had to pull up on me before my show. Always epic when we link up 🤙🏾’

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Cyrus Kyle Langhorne Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

It Is What It Is: It's all eyes on the mighty Ja Morant's mighty return

And just like that? Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is back-back. Of course rap duo Cam’ron and Ma$e teaming up with Treasure ‘Stat Baby’ Wilson dishing on all things NBA - notably Big Ja’s return? Oh yes.

And just like that? Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is back-back. Of course rap duo Cam’ron and Ma$e teaming up with Treasure ‘Stat Baby’ Wilson dishing on all things NBA - notably Big Ja’s return? Oh yes.

It’s all about the basketball talk including dishing on Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James ready to ball into his 40’s and plenty more. Tap in.

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Cyrus Kyle Langhorne Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

DraftKings: Your new NBA apparel flexing is all types of serious glow-ups

Need even more reasons to get pumped about the NBA season starting up? How about the fact DraftKings has you covered in freshness with a super fire NBA apparel collection ready for tip-off?

Need even more reasons to get pumped about the NBA season starting up? How about the fact DraftKings has you covered in freshness with a super fire NBA apparel collection ready for tip-off?

Forget until waiting for the winter holidays, it’s all about showing your team loyalty right now and with the prestige DraftKings is known to attach to any endeavor it’s involved in.

30 NBA Teams, two sports brands and one exciting new hoops apparel collection.

DraftKings, in collaboration with the NBA, is rolling out the brand-new NBA Collection presented by DraftKings, for the 2023-2024 NBA season which will feature one-of-a-kind, co-branded hats, T-shirts and hoodies. This collection boasts original bold designs that merges DraftKings’ famed gold crown logo seamlessly with NBA licensed team logos, representing the squads in a unique way.

With this announcement, DraftKings becomes the first official sports betting partner of the NBA to launch co-branded merchandise with the league.

“Through our longstanding relationship with the NBA, we were able to tap into the passion that millions of DraftKings customers have for the NBA by creating a custom, co-branded clothing collection that fans everywhere can enjoy,” said Matt Kalish, Co-Founder and President, DraftKings North America. “There is a strong affinity toward DraftKings’ signature crown logo and combining that with one-of-a-kind designs that feature NBA teams, allows us to further connect with the lifestyle of our customers in a whole new way.”

Starting November 2, basketball fans and DraftKings customers can rep their favorite teams and cities from Boston to L.A. through this three-piece collection, bringing them one step closer to the game they love. Additionally, DraftKings plans to expand the clothing line throughout the season which will include more products and collaborations with various sports lifestyle brands.

The NBA Collection presented by DraftKings will retail for $30-$75 and will be sold online by visiting the DraftKings Shop here and in-person at special pop-up events in select cities.

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Cyrus Kyle Langhorne Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

LeBron James' NBA 2K ratings comparison from '06 and '22 are insane

The expression of aging like fine wine is never taken seriously but looking at Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James? You might have to seriously readjust your perception.

The expression of aging like fine wine is never taken seriously but looking at Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James? You might have to seriously readjust your perception.

Looking at his NBA Finals 2006-2007 season in comparison to how things are shaping up thus far for the 2022-2023 run? Insane. NBA 2K has the stats.

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Cyrus Kyle Langhorne Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

NBA 2K23 on the Xbox Series has the easy edge of PlayStation 5

You know what’s great about this headline in particular? It’s like saying the iPhone 14 Pro Max is better than the iPhone 14 Pro - at the end of the day, we’re still talking about greatness and if you caught my previous comments about the new NBA 2K23 video game - you already know it’s the best NBA 2K to date. But there’s just something about the Xbox feel which gives it an edge over the PlayStation 5 feel.

You know what’s great about this headline in particular? It’s like saying the iPhone 14 Pro Max is better than the iPhone 14 Pro - at the end of the day, we’re still talking about greatness and if you caught my previous comments about the new NBA 2K23 video game - you already know it’s the best NBA 2K to date. But there’s just something about the Xbox feel which gives it an edge over the PlayStation 5 feel.

I cannot get over how much fun and non-stop gaming I put into the Xbox Series X version of NBA 2K23. What I thought would be the equivalent of playing NBA 2K on the PlayStation 5 but with just a different controller turned out to be a completely different and fulfilling experience. For starters, the smoothness of what the Xbox console provides is astonishing.

I remember getting an Xbox Series S way back in 2020 and thinking it would be fun but my goodness - did I have my mind blown away by the overall feel and experience of NBA 2K21 at the time. The same was true once NBA 2K22 arrived and I upgraded my system to an Xbox Series X and even when I managed to get my hands on the PlayStation 5 - I still found myself having the best experience on Microsoft’s next generation gem.

So initially starting out by trying NBA 2K23 on the PlayStation 5 I thought I was in euphoria. The realism. Smoothness. Everything felt right-right. But of course the lingering thoughts of how much better the Xbox version is remained in my mind - ultimately resulting in me reaching out to NBA 2K’s amazing PR team (thank-you, thank-you, thank-you) and requesting an Xbox version to see the differences.

They are significant.

Well, in all honesty, the casual gamer will be just as happy but when you’re dealing with intense online modes, face-offs and everything in-between, it’s the difference of driving around in a Beamer or going the distance in a Toyota RAV4. Needless to say - you feel the overall creamy smoothness of what the Xbox brings to the table.

You’re still looking at the same smooth graphics and crispy presentation but when you’re holding onto the Series controller, you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat and going on a passion journey to greatness.

My plan was to go to each game mode and break down any differences but truthfully speaking? It’s all solid when it comes to choosing a next generation console but in terms of smoothness and comfort? The Xbox Series versions are First Class compared to the Premium Economy feel of the PlayStation 5 versions.

All in all - it’s win-win vibes around here but if you’re contemplating between either system, put your faith in the Xbox Series X|S.

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Cyrus Kyle Langhorne Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

Apple's 'They Call Me Magic' 4-part Magic Johnson docu-series is coming

Apple TV+ is really on a major tear. It’s doing its part to deliver major content for the culture on some of the most iconic names in the entertainment and now with They Call Me Magic set to drop later this year, is there any reason you don’t have the premium service yet?

Apple TV+ is really on a major tear. It’s doing its part to deliver major content for the culture on some of the most iconic names in the entertainment and now with They Call Me Magic set to drop later this year, is there any reason you don’t have the premium service yet?

Lock in April 22 for the official launch of the four-pat docu-series and keep scrolling to get the inside details about how much greatness is gearing up to drop.

Apple TV+ announced today “They Call Me Magic,” the highly anticipated four-part documentary event that takes an illuminating, holistic look into the life and career of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, one of the world’s most iconic figures, will premiere April 22 on Apple TV+.

“They Call Me Magic” offers a rare glimpse into the incredible real life story of Johnson, who left his mark on history through his work—both on and off the court—and continues to impact our culture today.

With unprecedented access, the docuseries explores Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s remarkable journey from being the face of the Los Angeles Lakers and cementing himself as an all-time NBA legend, to changing the conversation around HIV, and transforming into a successful entrepreneur and community activist. From his humble beginnings in Lansing, Michigan to becoming the global force he is today, “They Call Me Magic” features intimate interviews with Magic, his family, and an all-star lineup, as the docuseries charts the cinematic life of one of the biggest cultural icons of our era.

Directed by Rick Famuyiwa (“Dope”) with editor Dirk Westervelt (“Ford v. Ferrari”) and cinematographer Rachel Morrison (“Black Panther”), the docuseries is produced for Apple by XTR and New Slate Ventures, and produced in association with H.Wood Media and Delirio Films.

“They Call Me Magic” joins a growing lineup of acclaimed and award-winning docuseries and documentaries on Apple TV+ including Emmy Award-winning “Boys State”; “The Velvet Underground,” the acclaimed documentary from director Todd Haynes; Critics Choice Award-winning and Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated “Beastie Boys Story”; the global smash hit documentary “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry”; Werner Herzog’s Critics Choice Documentary Award nominee “Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds”; as well as upcoming documentaries “The Supermodels”; and “Number One on the Call Sheet,” from acclaimed storytellers Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Datari Turner and Dan Cogan.

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