Summary
One of the biggest requests from basketball fans forNBA 2K25focused on the FIBA teams. Many NBA players are currently spending the usual offseason time relaxing in favor of competing at a high level in Olympic basketball. The topical timing saw many fans wondering ifNBA 2K25would include some of the recent or legendary teams to compete in FIBA games.
PastNBA 2Kgames have included various Team USA rosters, like marketing the infamous Dream Team roster from 1992 or the Redeem Team roster from 2008. The recent news confirming FIBA teams will be included even saw a fun twist of MyCareer mode being impacted.NBA 2Khas been accused of often not adding enough new features from the previous year’s game, but this is providing optimism forNBA 2K25.
Why NBA 2K25 Is Adding FIBA Teams This Year
The timing is perfect forNBA 2K25to market the international basketball appeal of FIBA again. Basketball has been one of the bright spots for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The men’s tournament has featured more NBA stars from other countries than any past year. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, andShai Gilgeous-Alexander finished in three of the topfour MVP voting slots in the NBA this past season, and all represented countries outside the United States this summer.
Some of the greatest American basketball stars have played for one of the noteworthy Team USA rosters. Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, andcenter David Robinson are often considered the greatestmale basketball players in FIBA history as a star-studded lineup. Fans getting to play with the Team USA loaded rosters is already a fun selling point.
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However, this has been done in the past and worked well. One cool new twist is the trailer showing a screenshot of the Argentina team from 2004. Manu Ginobili led an underdog team to become the only male basketball roster to eliminate the United States and win a gold medal since 1988.2K fans are hoping for other teamsto join the game’s roster for a real international flair.
The inclusion of FIBA basketball also allows fun little twists to freshen up other modes in the game.Users playing exhibition games with the teamsalready offer some fun, but the expansion into different aspects ofNBA 2K25is what provides excitement. International basketball is stronger than ever to warrant marketing FIBA basketball in the game coming out a month after an incredible Olympic tournament.
What To Expect From FIBA Involvement Of NBA 2K25 Modes
MyCareer is the most interesting modeto have details released about the FIBA involvement within the story. The player grows up in Chicago and plays a handful of games in high school, college, and the FIBA U19 World Cup before making it to the NBA. FIBA tournaments happen in more circumstances than just Olympic basketball, so the game would be during an offseason before the player moves up to the NBA level. A young player representing his country against international stars could be fun in that mode.
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MyTeam has utilized the Olympic versionsof players in the past, and that will continue more elaborately forNBA 2K25. International players receiving impressive cards for representing their respective countries would improve the versatility of the mode and offer new versions of legendary stars.NBA 2K25has also mentioned that various themed challenges and tournaments have some surprises to discover after the game is released.
Offseason tournaments of FIBA play were teased for the offseason aspects of multiple modes to present more realism to the game. Recruiting will be part of this, as players get recruited to represent their country outside of the grueling NBA season. NBA 2K25is looking to sprinkle a little of this new FIBA representation into multiple elements of the game.
Potential Disappointments Of FIBA Play In NBA 2K25
NBA 2K25 Must Commit Enough Time To Make FIBA Representation Matter
One of the biggest assets ofNBA 2Kis that the company has agreements with almost every noteworthy legend in NBA history. Reggie Miller,Charles Barkley and a handful of other legendsare discussed for being absent due to their contract demands. However,NBA 2Kstill has dozens of legendary teams with almost an identical roster of the most relevant names.
Great international teams from FIBA play will be hard to replicate since most don’t hold deep NBA rosters. There will be relevant players missing from most rosters, except for the Team USA rosters with almost all NBA legends. Each FIBA team will be orchestrated in a way that plays to each style since international play offers more variety, but it may be hard to beat the better teams with a limiting style.
The greatest FIBA cards will make the other cards for NBA players in MyTeam feel less special.Top-rated players Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokichaving too many cards makes each new release no longer hold importance. This will be relevant for some names like Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills, or Dennis Schroder who improve their play in the FIBA games, but most true top NBA stars are better in the NBA to make their FIBA cards less tempting.
NBA 2K25only offers some information and a slight presence in the recent trailer to create some skepticism about how much time was put into it. There was no reference to this in thefirstNBA 2K25game trailer, and there are still many important aspects of this not known. The game getting released in such a short time from now will see users having to adjust on the fly to figure it all out. Time will tell how much success FIBA’s presence will add toNBA 2K25, but the game deserves credit for looking into something their fan base wants.
NBA 2K25
WHERE TO PLAY
Command every court with authenticity and realism Powered by ProPLAY™, giving you ultimate control over how you play in NBA 2K25. Define your legacy in MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and The W. Express yourself with an array of customization options and explore an all-new City rich with opportunity.POWERED BY ProPLAY™: Bring your game to life with ProPLAY™, immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into engaging gameplay. Get up close and personal with your favorite NBA superstars and immerse yourself in clutch moments, as ProPLAY™ powers the most authentic NBA experience to date.COMPETE IN THE CITY: The City is the ultimate proving ground; hit the park for some streetball fun and compete at various new venues. Pay homage to legends of the game in MyCAREER as you eclipse their records and usher in the greatest dynasty of all-time. Let your talents shine in a bustling City and etch your name among the greats.BUILD YOUR DYNASTY: Build a dynasty that transcends eras, and redefine what it means to be the best as a General Manager in MyNBA. Explore the unique challenges that come with overseeing an NBA front office and cherish the ultimate reward of winning a championship, or multiple. Choose from six Eras, including an all-new Era, and become the next mastermind to change the game forever.
