NBA 2K14 has a new mode called “LeBron’s Path to Greatness”, in which the user takes control of LeBron James’ career after this upcoming season. As is the case in real life, James can opt-in to his contract with the Heat, or sign with another team. The two choices in this mode are “Continue Heat Dynasty” and “Fantastic Journey”. In the first option, James stays in Miami. The latter option has James signing with the New York Knicks as Carmelo Anthony leaves for the bulls and the Wizards draft a kid touted as the next LeBron James (probably based off of Andrew Wiggins). After a few years in New York, LeBron heads back home to Cleveland. The user is responsible for LeBron’s Destiny. Will James win championships everywhere he goes, or flame out and finish his career with a “disappointing” 2 rings?

What makes this mode pretty weird is that LeBron himself (the cover athlete for the game) is the one narrating the game, as the voiceovers of the story lines are done in his voice. Can you imagine a superstar for an NBA team going into a studio and reading aloud a passage in which he leaves his teammates, for mass consumption? I am sure Pat Riley is thrilled.

Anyway, it is cool to see that NBA 2K14 is getting creative, even though they have no real competition on the market.

And it will be fun to have control over LeBron’s “career”. It would be a shame if he… signed with the Bobcats…

In real life, it appears that LeBron is giving the Knicks some consideration. Salary cap wise, if he opts out of his contract after this season, the Knicks would have to get very creative if they wanted to sign the best player in the league. but if LeBron opts in, plays one more year, and then becomes a free agent NEXT year, the Knicks would have a very good shot at signing him.

-Tommy Rothman