NLSC Podcast

Entering 2026, we had some plans and goals for the virtual hardwood. Since we're rapidly approaching the middle of the year, we decided to check in on how those plans are going! To that end, this week we're joining the community in discussing our basketball gaming habits so far in 2026, from the selection of titles that we're playing to the modes that have kept us hooked. The post NLSC Podcast #630: 2026 Basketball Gaming Habits appeared first on NLSC.

Last week, Play By Play Studios held a closed beta for NBA The Run, which is set to release in June 2026. Derek was able to take part, and so this week, he's sharing his detailed hands-on impressions of the game, breaking down the key positives and negatives while also making some recommendations for how it could improve. We also read out the community's thoughts on what they've seen of NBA The Run so far. The post NLSC Podcast #629: NBA The Run Hands-On Impressions & Feedback appeared first on NLSC.

While it's exciting to be on the cutting edge of gaming technology, we're not always in a rush to upgrade. This week, we're taking a look at why basketball gamers often stick with last gen hoops titles - ourselves included - and some of the benefits of delaying a jump to the next generation. We also touch on next gen elitism and gatekeeping, and the community shares their experiences sticking with last gen basketball video games. The post NLSC Podcast #628: Why Some Basketball Gamers Stick With Last Gen appeared first on NLSC.

We're back on the air after an unfortunate technical mishap last week, and ready to take a deep dive into the PlayStation version of NBA Live 96! After recapping a couple of our sessions with the game, we discuss its features and on-court experience, break down the results of a simulated season, and draw comparisons to the 16-bit and PC versions. We also join the community in discussing which versions of NBA Live 96 we owned and played the most back in the day. The post NLSC Podcast #627: The Overlooked Version of NBA Live 96 appeared first on NLSC.

We've recently been connecting to play Konami's NBA Starting Five 2005, which was a Japanese-exclusive release. That has inspired us to take an in-depth look at the game, in which we break down its classic teams and other content, and share our impressions of its gameplay, modes, presentation, and other features. We also join the community in discussing whether we would've bought it in addition to or instead of NBA Live 2005 and/or ESPN NBA 2K5 if we'd been able to. The post NLSC Podcast #626: An In-Depth Look At NBA Starting Five 2005 appeared first on NLSC.

Namo Gamo has announced Super Basketball Classics, a follow-up to the original Basketball Classics released back in 2019. The new game is a throwback to the 16-bit era of basketball gaming, and will also feature the Harlem Globetrotters. This week, we share our thoughts on what we know about Super Basketball Classics so far, and also make some suggestions regarding what we'd like to see in terms of gameplay, modes, and features. The post NLSC Podcast #625: Our Wishlist for Super Basketball Classics appeared first on NLSC.

A new MVP mixtape trailer has been posted for NBA The Run, which is scheduled for release at some point in 2026. This week, we react to the trailer and the latest information on the game, courtesy of a recently re-posted Q&A that Play By Play Studios held on X back in December. The community also weighs in with their thoughts on the latest previews, including their level of excitement and how much they'd pay for an online-only basketball video game. The post NLSC Podcast #624: The Latest News on NBA The Run, Set To Release in 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

Bam Adebayo now owns the second-highest mark for scoring in a single NBA game with 83 points; a performance that has certainly drawn mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. This week, we join the community in giving our thoughts on Bam's 83-point game, and discuss what we believe separates legitimate records and other statistical feats from manufactured accomplishments. The post NLSC Podcast #623: Bam Scores 83, But What Makes A Record Legitimate? appeared first on NLSC.

There's a lot of fun to be had taking on the CPU solo or co-operatively in basketball video games. However, we also have countless fond memories of epic battles with friends, family, and online opponents. This week, we join the community in recalling the best players we've ever faced on the virtual hardwood, and some of the lessons that we took from those showdowns. We also recap a fun game of NBA Live 2000 PC, a game that still holds up superbly. The post NLSC Podcast #622: Our Toughest Human Opponents On The Virtual Hardwood appeared first on NLSC.

At this point, it's undeniable that tanking has become a huge problem in the NBA, with Commissioner Adam Silver openly pledging to fix the issue. We have our own thoughts on the matter of course, so this week we join the community in discussing our opinions of tanking and the impact that it's had on the league, as well as some possible solutions that might at least curb it. The post NLSC Podcast #621: The NBA’s Tanking Problem appeared first on NLSC.

NBA 2K has been packed full of retro content for over a decade now, but despite some major additions, the overall quality still leaves us wanting. This week, we join the community in discussing how we'd enhance the retro content in future NBA 2K games, from fixes that are absolutely essential to some more ambitious ideas that would make the historical teams and players even more fun to use. The post NLSC Podcast #620: The Future of Retro Content in NBA 2K appeared first on NLSC.

It's Michael Jordan's 63rd Birthday, so we're taking the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion about His Airness! In addition to listing some of MJ's biggest accomplishments and recalling our favourite memories of him in real life - both with the Bulls and the Wizards - we discuss his interesting history in basketball video games. We also read out some of the community's favourite real life and video game memories of Michael Jordan. The post NLSC Podcast #619: Celebrating Michael Jordan On His 63rd Birthday appeared first on NLSC.

Another NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and it's inspired us to reflect on some of the most notable midseason swaps. To that end, this week we're reacting to Complex's list of the Top 20 trade deadline deals in league history. We also join the community in recalling memorable deals that our favourite teams have made - or could've made - as well as franchise mode trades that we can't believe we got the CPU to agree to. The post NLSC Podcast #618: Historic Trade Deadline Deals appeared first on NLSC.

The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One generation of NBA 2K games - and their PC ports - saw some fantastic hits, but also a couple of disappointing misses. With that in mind, how would we personally rank the eighth gen NBA 2K releases? That's the challenge before us this week, as we take a look back and rank NBA 2K14 through NBA 2K20 from worst to best. The post NLSC Podcast #617: Ranking NBA 2K on PS4 & X1 appeared first on NLSC.

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you witnessed some of the biggest moments in basketball history? This week, we join the community in recalling how we personally experienced memorable events in hoops - NBA or otherwise - from exciting plays and incredible outcomes to shocking news and other moments that stuck with us. The post NLSC Podcast #616: Witnessing Basketball History appeared first on NLSC.

Recent comments by Paul Pierce and Danny Green regarding Michael Jordan supposedly having a "limited bag" have prompted us to reflect on one of the most commonly used buzzwords in basketball discourse these days. To that end, this week we join the community in discussing what we think having a bag means and looks like, and the players past and present that we believe boast the deepest bags. The post NLSC Podcast #615: Basketball Bags & Terrible Takes appeared first on NLSC.

Who are the most dominant players when they're controlled by the CPU in basketball video games? This week, we join the community in discussing some of the most unguardable players on the virtual hardwood, at least when they're in the hands of the AI. We also reflect on the frustration of not always being able to light it up with those same players ourselves, and mention a few players who haven't been as dominant in video games as they really should be. The post NLSC Podcast #614: Dominant CPU Controlled Players in Basketball Video Games appeared first on NLSC.

Happy New Year, fellow basketball gamers and hardcore hoop heads! As 2026 gets underway, we're tipping things off by joining the community in discussing our plans for this year when it comes to basketball gaming and real basketball alike. We also reflect on the most recent game in our co-op Chicago Bulls Association in NBA 2K9, which saw us pick up a very satisfying victory. The post NLSC Podcast #613: 2026 Basketball & Basketball Gaming Plans appeared first on NLSC.

Another year is almost in the books! As 2025 draws to a close, we join the community in discussing the basketball and basketball gaming gifts that we gave and received this holiday season. From shoes, shirts, and collectibles, to video games, DVDs, and new basketballs, it's clear that we're all still as passionate as ever about real hoops and the virtual hardwood alike. The post NLSC Podcast #612: Hoops Gifts for the Holidays appeared first on NLSC.

What Ifs are an intriguing topic in basketball discussions, especially when they involve comebacks that could've been, and comebacks that could potentially still occur. To that end, this week we're reflecting on some historical comeback rumours and returns that were reportedly close to happening, both of which we would've enjoyed seeing. We also discuss whether there are any recently-retired players that could still have an impact if they returned today. The post NLSC Podcast #611: NBA Comebacks We Would’ve Loved to See appeared first on NLSC.

With the NBA Live 19 servers shutting down, a recent kick has inspired a look back at the final release in the NBA Live series. We reflect on our overall impressions of the game after giving it another chance, from the tuning of the last patch and overall gameplay experience to thoughts on Ultimate Team, The Streets World Tour, Legends, and depth. We also discuss fresh eyes leading to new perspectives, where NBA Live 19 ranks, and what a new game must do differently. The post NLSC Podcast #610: Revisiting NBA Live 19 appeared first on NLSC.

During a recent podcast appearance, former NBA coach turned analyst Stan Van Gundy opined that the best 20 players in NBA history have all played within the last 20 years. This week, we join the community in responding to that claim and a couple of his other recent hot takes, as well as speculate on the motivations behind making them. We also discuss a few other popular but erroneous historical narratives that are about to complicate the GOAT debate. The post NLSC Podcast #609: Stan Van Gundy Disrespects NBA History appeared first on NLSC.

With the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S likely to be superseded within the next few years, what are our thoughts on the current generation of NBA 2K games? This week, we're ranking NBA 2K21 through NBA 2K26 from best to worst, with a few members of the community also weighing in with their rankings. We also discuss our overall view of Ninth Gen NBA 2K, noting some of the key mistakes the series has made, as well as some of the things that it has done right. The post NLSC Podcast #608: Ranking This Generation’s NBA 2Ks appeared first on NLSC.

If you wanted to introduce someone to basketball, which players do you think stand the best chance of making them fall in love with the sport? This week, we're joining the community in naming our picks for both past and present players that we believe would get a new fan completely hooked on hoops. The post NLSC Podcast #607: New to Basketball? These Are The Players To Study appeared first on NLSC.

Valve has announced the return of the Steam Machine, with the console-like gaming PC slated for release in early 2026. This week, we're joining the community in reacting to the news, including giving our thoughts on the announced specifications, discussing the potential advantages and disadvantages of a console-PC hybrid gaming device, stating our level of interest in possibly picking one up, and speculating on what it's likely to cost. The post NLSC Podcast #606: The Steam Machine – Talking Specs & Predicting Cost appeared first on NLSC.

The price of video games remains a hot topic in 2025. Many people opine that they're too expensive, but plenty of others actually defend the current costs, and indeed suggest that video games should be even more expensive than they already are. This week, we dive into the issue, and join the community in suggesting what we believe would be fair prices for Triple-A games, indie games, online-only titles, and mobile releases. The post NLSC Podcast #605: How Much Should Video Games Cost? appeared first on NLSC.

With the acquisition of the NBA license, Play by Play Studios' The Run: Got Next is now titled NBA The Run, and is slated for release some time in 2026. To that end, this week we join the community in reacting to the initial previews and teaser trailer. Although it's aiming to be a worthy successor to the NBA Street series and we'd like to see it turn out well, we'd be lying if we said we didn't have some concerns at this point in time. The post NLSC Podcast #604: NBA The Run Coming in 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

A week into the 2026 NBA season, the league has been rocked by a gambling scandal. Not only that, but many fans - us included - have been irritated by the amount of flopping and free throws. This week, we join the community in discussing these controversies, along with a few other NBA matters that are getting us down. We also talk about whether video games make up for disappointment with real basketball, and getting ejected on the virtual hardwood. The post NLSC Podcast #603: Gambling, Flopping & Other NBA Blues appeared first on NLSC.

Customer service, value for money, and quality products are topics that are on our minds this week. This comes in the wake of an eBay purchase that unfortunately became a deeply unpleasant transaction, as well as the first big patch for NBA 2K26 failing to make the game better (and indeed, arguably making it worse). On a lighter note, we also recap a successful upgrade to Windows 11, before wrapping up the show with some quick 2026 NBA predictions. The post NLSC Podcast #602: That’s No Way To Treat A Customer appeared first on NLSC.

Electronic Arts has recently been acquired in one of the biggest deals in the history of video games. This week, we share our thoughts on the news and what it might mean for the future of basketball gaming. We also note some of the reactions to the deal that we've seen from the wider gaming community on social media. Needless to say, it's proving to be quite a controversial move! The post NLSC Podcast #601: Electronic Arts Acquired in Massive Deal appeared first on NLSC.

It's the 600th episode of the NLSC Podcast! A huge shout out to our listeners and the NLSC community at large for continuing to support all of our content! To mark the milestone, this week we're simply getting on the mics to chat about basketball gaming. We share our latest thoughts on NBA 2K26, and reflect on other games that we're currently playing - including our NBA 2K9 Association - along with a few other topics that came up during the course of our conversation. The post NLSC Podcast #600: Two Friends Talking Basketball Video Games appeared first on NLSC.

Music is a vital part of the atmosphere in basketball video games, and as such, is often connected to our nostalgia for them. This week, we join the community in reflecting on basketball video game music, from our all-time favourite soundtracks and standout songs to the tunes that just didn't seem to be a good fit for the virtual hardwood. The post NLSC Podcast #599: The Best & Worst Music in Basketball Video Games appeared first on NLSC.

Why do we still play basketball video games? This week, we discuss the factors that keep us hooked on the virtual hardwood, from a love of competition and shared experiences to the way it allows us to feel connected to and indeed more informed about our favourite sport. We also reflect on the lingering stigma surrounding gaming as an adult, and push back on the notion that it's a childish hobby that needs to be left behind. The post NLSC Podcast #598: Why We Still Play Basketball Games appeared first on NLSC.

Need help mastering NBA 2K26? This week's show provides some detailed tips, from what to do on the sticks to suggestions for gameplay sliders and camera settings! We also join the community in discussing how we're playing NBA 2K26, along with the other basketball games that are currently in our rotations. Speaking of which, our NBA 2K9 Bulls Association continues to be a blast, leading us to reflect on the game's quality and how we'd rank it. The post NLSC Podcast #597: NBA 2K26 Tips & How We Play appeared first on NLSC.

In a shocking and rather unfortunate development, EA Sports rescinded their proposal for a college basketball game in light of Take-Two reaching agreements with several schools to develop their own "college basketball experience". This week, we join the community in reacting to the news and speculating on what we can expect from 2K. We also follow up on last week's show with some further impressions of NBA 2K26. The post NLSC Podcast #596: EA Drops Out, 2K Going Back to School appeared first on NLSC.

NBA 2K26 is already in gamers' hands thanks to the early access pre-order bonus provided by the Superstar and Leave No Doubt editions. As such, this week we join the community in sharing our first impressions of this year's release! From gameplay to the Eras rosters, this episode is a comprehensive breakdown of the pros and cons that we've observed so far. We also discuss some disappointing roster sharing news, as well as the concept of aura farming. The post NLSC Podcast #595: NBA 2K26 First Impressions appeared first on NLSC.

With NBA 2K26 right around the corner, a community event has given us a detailed look at the game in action. We share our thoughts on what we've seen so far, as well as what the influencers who attended the event are saying. In particular, we note how valid criticism is once again being shot down ahead of the game's release. We also cover some of the key points of the Courtside Report on MyNBA and MyGM, and recall our favourite basketball nicknames. The post NLSC Podcast #594: Early NBA 2K26 Gameplay, Influencers & Iconic Nicknames appeared first on NLSC.

As the NBA 2K26 preview season rolls on, the big news revealed last week was that the WNBA has now been integrated into MyTEAM. The announcement drew some mixed reactions, so this week we're providing our take on the situation, and also reading out some thoughts from our listeners. We also react to some of the other key points in the NBA 2K26 MyTEAM Courtside Report, from Game Changer Cards to the promise of greater rewards. The post NLSC Podcast #593: WNBA Coming to NBA 2K26 MyTEAM appeared first on NLSC.

Next up in the NBA 2K26 preview season is a look at the presentation in this year's game! This week we break down the Presentation Courtside Report, which provided insights into everything from the player models and team arenas to commentary and other authentic details. In addition to our thoughts, we also share feedback from the community, and discuss favourite virtual hardwood commentators along with potential replacements for the current crop of announcers. The post NLSC Podcast #592: Will the Presentation in NBA 2K26 Wow Us? appeared first on NLSC.

Thanks to the NBA 2K26 Gameplay Trailer and developer blog, we have our first look at and insight into the on-court experience in this year's game. We react to the trailer - which had a very interesting song choice! - and break down the gameplay blog point-by-point as we join the community in sharing our thoughts and expectations following the first in-depth preview of NBA 2K26. The post NLSC Podcast #591: NBA 2K26 Gameplay Trailer & Blog Reactions appeared first on NLSC.

While NBA 2K26 will be a hot topic over the next month, this week we turn our attention to a classic that's in our rotation, namely NBA 2K9. Now that we're ten games into our co-op NBA 2K9 Association with the Chicago Bulls, we provide a detailed recap of everything that's happened so far, and discuss some possible roster moves. We also invited the community to weigh in on which teams they'd most like to start an Association with in NBA 2K9. The post NLSC Podcast #590: Running With the Bulls in NBA 2K9 appeared first on NLSC.

Take-Two is reportedly planning to develop their own college basketball game after making a rather insulting initial proposal to the Collegiate Licensing Company; a pitch that's become public thanks to a broken NDA. This week, we join the community in reacting to the possibility of a new college hoops title based on the NBA 2K engine, share our thoughts on the failed proposal, and discuss 2K's new deal with the NBA. The post NLSC Podcast #589: 2K’s Insulting College Game Proposal appeared first on NLSC.

The preview season for NBA 2K26 is officially underway, and so this week, we join the community in reacting to the cover players and designs for every edition of NBA 2K26. We also give our thoughts on the preliminary features list and First Look screenshots, and discuss the seven-year extension of Take-Two's licensing agreement with the NBA that was signed back in 2019 and will thus be up for renewal soon. The post NLSC Podcast #588: NBA 2K26 Covers & Early News appeared first on NLSC.

Not long after we finished recording last week's show, EA Sports announced that they will be returning to the virtual hardwood with a new college basketball game, coming in 2028 at the earliest! This week, we join the community in reacting to the news, from rating our excitement level to discussing the things that we want and need to see in a new hoops title from EA. The post NLSC Podcast #587: The Return of EA Sports College Basketball appeared first on NLSC.

There's untapped potential for the virtual hardwood and blacktop in the indie gaming space. To that end, this week we discuss The Dunkers, a 2D indie basketball title that's currently available in Early Access on Steam. We also once again touch on the possibility of a new basketball game from EA Sports, unaware that a big announcement was in fact on the horizon! The post NLSC Podcast #586: The Dunkers, A New Indie Hoops Game appeared first on NLSC.

With the preview season for NBA 2K26 now looming on the horizon, what are we hoping to see in the next sim basketball game from 2K Sports? This week, we join the community in discussing our Wishlists for NBA 2K26, from improvements to the gameplay, mechanics, and controls, to additions and enhancements to the modes, content, presentation, and other aspects of the game. The post NLSC Podcast #585: Our NBA 2K26 Wishlist appeared first on NLSC.

Controversy is overshadowing the 2025 NBA Finals following Game 4, which leads us to ask: is the NBA rigged? This week, we join the community in discussing our thoughts on the matter, and to what extent the league may manipulate results, both today and in the past. We also discuss how talking heads - particularly Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins - are finding ways to draw attention away from the basketball that's being played. The post NLSC Podcast #584: Is the NBA Rigged? appeared first on NLSC.

With only a few games left before the Larry O'Brien trophy is hoisted once more, we're inclined to share some thoughts on the year that was in the NBA! This week, we join the community in discussing our level of interest in the 2025 NBA Finals, and how we'd rate the 2025 season overall. We also touch on whether or not parity is a good thing for the league, and Mike Breen's approach to his most famous call. The post NLSC Podcast #583: Our Thoughts on the 2025 NBA Season appeared first on NLSC.

With the 2025 NBA season rapidly drawing to a close, how will we be spending our Summer (or Winter) on the virtual hardwood? This week, we join the community in discussing the basketball video games that we plan to play and mod in the coming months, if and how the offseason impacts our basketball gaming habits, and some of the other titles that will likely be in our rotations. The post NLSC Podcast #582: Summer Gaming Plans appeared first on NLSC.

What are some of the most memorable plays that we've seen in all of our years watching basketball? This week, we join the community in reminiscing about a few of our all-time favourite highlights. Given our favourite teams, players, and eras, some of our choices might just surprise you! We also discuss which game should be featured in the next NLSC Tournament, and take some suggestions from the community. The post NLSC Podcast #581: Let’s Talk About Our Favourite Highlights from Basketball History appeared first on NLSC.