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stdClass Object ( [id] => 79 [title] => NBA 2K12 Review [alias] => 2k12-review [title_alias] => [introtext] =>

NBA 2K12 REVIEW

A child’s laughter. People that aren’t you falling over. Witnessing a wardrobe malfunction from an attractive member of the opposite sex (or same sex if you’re that way inclined. This is a judgement-free zone). Some things just make you happy, no matter what kind of mood you were in previously. I would like to add something to that list; posterising someone in NBA 2k12. The feeling of throwing a dunk down on someone in the newest version of 2k can only be described as euphoric. If only all of life’s problems were so easily solved.

NBA 2k11 was arguably the greatest sports sim ever (I can see FIFA fans shaking their heads collectively), yet 2k games did what was thought impossible and improved on nearly every single facet of the game.

While the Jordan challenges were an awesome feature and a great way to pay homage to the greatest player to ever grace the court, NBAs Greatest mode adds 14 other legends to play as, which is just piling awesome on top of awesome, on top of awesome. Along with MJ, you now have Magic, Larry Legend, Dr J, Hakeem the Dream and 10 other basketball legends to play as and not only that, but some of the coolest teams to go against them aswell, like my personal favourite, the ’93 Charlotte Hornets. Every team you play as and against is unlocked once you win that legends game. Which means you can answer questions like “Who’s the real superman? Present day Dwight or 94-95 Shaq?” Or you can even pit a young, dunk-loving, afro-wearing Kobe against the deadly Black Mamba.

One of the really cool things about NBAs Greatest mode (and 2k12 in general) has to be the presentation. For example, play as the 64-65 Celtics and Bill Russell and you’ll go against “The Logo”, Jerry West, and the Lakers. Not only are the shorts shorter, but the game itself will be played in black and white, the audio sounds more muffled (in a good way), and even little details like the look of the scoreboard or the lack of a 3 point line. It really feels as though you’re watching an actual game from the 60’s.

The commentary is amazing also. Steve Kerr has been added to the duo of Clark Kellogg and Kevin Harland, and they all do an incredible job. During NBAs Greatest, they treat the game as though it’s already been played; talking about the teams playing and mainly about the legend whose team you’re using. Even in an exhibition game, the commentators will be telling a story about a specific player then BOOM, a dunk from out of nowhere. The commentators get hyped up, talking about what an amazing play etc, then they’ll just calmly say “Now back to player x”, and continue with the story...awesome! There are even specific commentary traits in association. They’ll talk about players hot or cold streaks coming into the game, whether the game is a rivalry and sometimes even talking about a player that you just traded. I found this out as I was playing association mode as Phoenix and decided to do right by Steve Nash and trade him to a contender, seeing as it won’t happen in real life. (If you’re curious, I traded Nash and Hill to Oklahoma City for Westbrook and Sefolosha). So in my first game after trading Nash, the commentators talked specifically about how Nash meant so much to Phoenix and how he was finally traded to a contender (although they didn’t mention OKC specifically.)

My Player mode also got a revamp, and it’s better than ever! Gone are the multiple rookie showcases, d-league stints and terrible starting stats. Now there is just one Rookie showcase game, followed by three different team interviews; your answers helping determine who will draft you. Your stats start off higher (an average of mid 60 depending on your player type) and it is much easier to get into the starting lineup. That’s not to say that My Player mode is easy this year, far from it. Your goal now is to make it to the Hall Of Fame. This is a major mission, which is why I enjoy the option of not having to play every single game. You can skip games up until your next important game (first career start, division rivalry, playoff game etc). Another addition is the ability to spend your hard earned cash on different things. Your team chemistry taking a hit, due to some unpopular answers in press conferences? Take your team out to dinner. Need to gain popularity with the fans? Donate money to NBA cares. The list goes on and on.

NBA 2k12 is not without its flaws, but none of them are major. The defensive AI is still way too psychic for my liking. There are glitches with players walking through other players and such. Sometimes in Association mode, the CPU bombards you with trade offers, sometimes the same offer multiple times. However, none of these things kill my enjoyment of this, the greatest sports game to date. Now excuse me while I go and dunk on some people.

SCORE: 9.5/10

A must-buy!

stdClass Object ( [id] => 134 [title] => The Code - Ice Hockey Terminology [alias] => the-code-ice-hockey-terms [title_alias] => [introtext] =>

Attacking zone
The opposing team's end of the ice; extends from the blue line to the end boards.

Backhand
A pass shot that is taken from the backside of the blade.

Back checking
Rushing back to the defensive zone in response to an opposing team's attack.

Blocker
The rectangular pad that a goaltender wears on the stick-holding hand.

Blue line
The lines separating the attacking/defending zones from the neutral zone.

Boarding
Checking a defenseless player causing them to violently fall/impact into the boards. This typically leads to the face/head of the unaware player to hit first causing greater chance of injury. Usually a penalty.

Boards
A wall that surrounds the playing surface

Body checking
Using the hip or body to knock an opponent against the boards or to the ice (also known as hip checking).

Breakaway
When a player has possession of the puck and there are no defenders other than the goalie between him and the opposing goal.

Butterfly
A style of goaltending wherein the goalie tends to drop to their knees to cover the lower half of the net with his or her leg pads.

Charging
The act of taking more than three strides while delivering a body check or leaving their feet to deliver a hit. A penalty.

Checking from behind
The act of hitting an opponent from the back when they are unaware the hit is coming. A penalty.

Clipping
Hitting an opponent below the knees. A penalty.

Cross-checking
The act of checking an opponent with the shaft of the stick held in both hands. A penalty.

Defensive zone
The defending team's zone; extends from the blue line to the end boards.

Deke
When a player handles the puck or himself in such a manner to fool the opponent into moving out of position, allowing the player to get past. Originated from the word decoy.

Delay of game
Deliberately causing a stoppage of play; player is penalized with a minor penalty.

Delayed offside
If a player enters the attacking zone ahead of the puck but does not touch it, the play is offside but no whistle is blown immediately, thus creating a delayed offside. When all players from the offside team leave their offensive zone and go into the neutral zone the linesman cancels the offside infraction. Conversely, if the offending team touches the puck before leaving their offensive zone the whistle is blown for the offside infraction.

Delayed penalty
When a penalty is called, the referee will raise his or her arm to indicate that one is being called, but if the team who committed the infraction is not in control of the puck, no whistle will be blown until a player from the offending team controls the puck.

Delayed whistle
An official waits to blow his whistle, usually due to a delayed offside or delayed penalty call.

Dive
When a player embellishes contact made against him in order to entice the referee into calling a penalty against the opposition; however sometimes this ends up in an "unsportsmanlike conduct" penalty being called against the embellishing player.

Drop pass
When a player passes the puck behind himself to a teammate.

Dump and chase
An offensive strategy used to get the puck over the opposing team's blue line and into the corners where players can race to get it, thereby moving the play into the attacking zone.

Empty net goal
A goal scored when the opposing goalie is not on the ice.

Extra attacker
A player who has been substituted for the team's goaltender on the ice.

Faceoff
The method used to begin play at the beginning of a period or after a stoppage of play. The two teams line up in opposition to each other. One player from each team attempts to gain control of the puck after it is dropped by an official between their sticks onto a face-off spot on the ice.

Faceoff spot
One of nine painted circles on the ice where a faceoff may occur. Two in each attacking/defending zone, two each near the corners of the neutral zone, and one at centre ice.

Fight strap
A strap inside the back of the jersey that loops through the belt, so that the jersey may not be pulled over a player's head during a fight.

Five on three
(Also called a two-man advantage) is when one team has had two players sent to the penalty box. This leaves the opponent with five skaters (i.e., not including the goaltender) to penalized team's three.

Five-hole
The gap between a goaltender's legs.

Forechecking
Checking in the offensive zone in order to gain control of the puck and set up a scoring opportunity.

Freezing the puck
The act of trapping the puck so it cannot be played.

Full strength
When both teams have five skaters and one goaltender on the ice.

Game Misconduct
A penalty that results in a player being ejected from the game. For statistical purposes, a player receiving a game misconduct is often credited with 10 or 20 penalty minutes

Goal
A goal is scored when the puck crosses completely over the goal line within the goal frame.

Goal crease
An area of the ice that extends from the goal line and out around the net, often shaped like a semicircle and painted in a different colour.

Goal line
The line that the puck must completely cross in order to be considered a goal.

Goal line save
When the puck touches the goal line but does not cross it.

Hand pass
The act of passing the puck using one's hand. This is legal inside a team's defensive zone, but illegal in the neutral zone and attacking zone, even if the pass originates from another zone.

Hash marks
The straight lines from the faceoff circles in front of both nets. Used to line up face-offs.

Hat-trick
When one player scores three goals in one game.

High stick
(i) (High-sticking) The act of hitting a player in the head or shoulders with a stick. A penalty (a single minor if no blood is drawn; a double minor if blood is drawn).

High stick
(ii) Contacting the puck with a stick that is raised above the shoulders. If the puck is subsequently contacted again by the offending player or a teammate before an opponent touches it, the play is blown dead. A goal scored as a result of a puck being contacted by an offensive player's stick raised above the crossbar shall be disallowed.

Hip check
Using the hip to knock an opponent against the boards or to the ice.

Holding
The act of impeding an opponent by grabbing onto them. A penalty.

Holding the stick
The act of grabbing an opponent's stick. A penalty.

Home-ice advantage
The ability to make the last line change.

Hooking
The act of impeding an opponent by placing the blade of a stick into their body. A penalty.

Icing
Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck across both the center red line and the opposing team's goal line without the puck going into the net or being able to be touched by an opposing player in their neutral or defensive zones. When icing occurs, a linesman stops play. Play is resumed with a faceoff in the defending zone of the team that committed the infraction. In the NHL and many professional leagues, icing can be negated if a player from the team committing the icing touches the puck before a defender, in which case play continues (the linesman nearest the puck will indicate this with a "washout" signal). In many amateur leagues, the no-touch icing rule is used, meaning play stops as soon as the puck crosses the goal line. The NHL adopted a rule where the team that committed the infraction is unable to make a line change during the stoppage to discourage teams from icing the puck to "get a whistle" and change lines; this change has been adopted by many pro and high-level amateur leagues, but not all.

Interference
The act of impeding an opponent who does not control the puck. A penalty.

Iron cross
A strategy used by a team defending against a five-on-three advantage. The two defensemen, a forward, and the goaltender align themselves in a diamond shape so that imaginary lines drawn through the two defensemen and through the forward and goaltender form the shape of a cross. This is usually a highly defensive strategy, designed to kill off a penalty as safely as possible.

Left wing lock
The left wing lock is a defensive ice hockey strategy similar to the neutral zone trap. In the most basic form, once puck possession changes, the left wing moves back in line with the defensemen. Each defender (including the left winger) play a zone defense and are responsible for a third of the ice each. Since there are normally only two defensemen, this tactic helps to avoid odd man rushes.

Line
A combination of a specific left winger, center, and right winger. Most teams, for the sake of chemistry, maintain specific three-man lines for different situations (first and second lines for scoring, third lines for defensive-oriented grinders, and fourth lines for pests and enforcers).

Line brawl
A series of fights involving most, or all, players on the ice at the same time.

Man advantage
When one team is penalized, and one of its players sent to the penalty box, the second team maintains a man advantage for the duration of the penalty (Major penalty) or until a goal is scored (Minor penalty). If two penalties are called on one team there will be a two man advantage. If more than two penalties are called on one team the man advantage is limited to two men.

Major penalty
A five-minute penalty

Match penalty
A five-minute penalty that carries an automatic game misconduct penalty. Often called for attempts to deliberately injure an opponent, official or fan.

Minor penalty
A two-minute penalty.

Misconduct
A ten-minute penalty.

Neutral zone
Area of the ice between the blue lines

Neutral zone trap
A defensive strategy focused on preventing the opposing team from proceeding with the puck through the neutral zone (the area between both blue lines) and attempting to take the puck from the opposing team.

Odd man rush
When a team enters the attacking zone and outnumbers the opposing players in the zone.

One timer
The act of shooting the puck directly off a pass without playing the puck in any way.

Overtime
An extra session of play added on after the full regulation time has concluded in order to resolve a tie. The first team to score in overtime wins the game.

Paddle
The wide portion above the blade of a goalie's stick.

Penalty box
The area where a player sits to serve the time of a given penalty.

Penalty kill
See shorthanded. Also refers to lineups, tactics and play by a team during the shorthanded period. Icing is not enforced on a shorthanded team.

Plus-minus
A hockey statistic that can apply to a player or an offensive or defensive line indicating whether they were on the ice when the opposing team scored (a minus) or on the ice when their team scored (a plus). Goals scored when on a power-play or a penalty kill do not count for a player's plus or minus, respectively.

The point
A player in the opponent's end zone at the junction of the blue line with the boards is said to be at the point.

Poke checking
Using the stick to poke the puck away from an opponent.

Powerplay
A powerplay occurs when one team has more players on the ice than the other team as a result of penalties assessed to the shorthanded team.

Rebound
A rebound occurs when the puck bounces off a goalie, a player, or the net (or occasionally, the back boards) after a shot on goal.

Roughing
The act of contacting an opponent with the hand or fist when making a punching motion. A penalty.

Saucer pass
An airborne pass from one player to another. It is called a saucer pass because the puck resembles a flying saucer in mid air.

Screened shot
A shot that the goaltender cannot see due to other players obscuring it.

Shorthanded
A team is said to be shorthanded when they have fewer players on the ice than the opposing team as a result of penalties.

Short side
The side of the goal closest to the shooter.

Shot on goal
A shot that will enter the goal if it is not stopped by the goaltender. A shot on goal must result in either a goal or a save (shots that hit the main pipes of the goal are not counted as shots).

Slapshot
A slapshot is a hard shot, usually with a big wind up, wherein the player bends his stick on the ice and allows the energy stored in bending the stick to launch the puck forward.

Slashing
The act of contacting an opponent's body or stick with one's own as a result of a swinging motion. A penalty.

Slew foot
Sweeping or kicking out a player's skate or tripping them from behind, causing them to fall backwards. A match penalty.

Spearing
The act of jabbing an opponent with the blade of the stick. A double-minor penalty at minimum.

Slot
Slot is the area on the hockey rink directly in front of the goaltender between the face-off circles on each side.

Snap shot
A snap shot is a like an abbreviated slap shot. The purpose of the snap shot is to combine the main advantages of the wrist shot (shot accuracy and quick delivery) and the slap shot (puck speed). The stick should start at your hip when shooting.

Stand-up goalie
A goalie that often stays on their skates when a player shoots, as opposed to a butterfly goalie.

Stick checking
Using the stick to interfere with an opponent's stick.

Toe drag
Dragging the puck along the ice with the end (toe) of the stick blade on the ice as opposed to pushing with the bottom edge.

Trapezoid
In the NHL, the trapezoidal area behind the goal line and net where the goaltender may touch the puck. A minor penalty (delay of game) is assessed if the goaltender plays the puck behind the goal line outside of the trapezoid.

Tripping
The act of knocking an opponent down by taking their feet out from under them using a stick or part of the body. A penalty.

Waffle
The goalie's blocker. This term stemmed from the visual appearance of the blocker in the pre-modern ice hockey equipment era (also refer to waffle-boarding).

Wrap around
Scoring from behind the net.

Wrist shot
A type of shot that involves using arm muscles (especially those in the wrist and forearm) to propel a puck forward from the open-faced, concave part of the blade of a hockey stick..

Zone
One of three areas of the ice as divided by the blue lines. See attacking zone, neutral zone or defensive zone

stdClass Object ( [id] => 133 [title] => "The Code" Aussie Rules [alias] => qthe-codeq-aussie-rules [title_alias] => [introtext] =>

TERMS

SAYINGS

stdClass Object ( [id] => 366 [title] => TurtleD27's Titan's Draft Grade [alias] => turtled27s-titans-draft-grade [title_alias] => [introtext] =>

Follow TurtleD27 our Tennessee Titans Ambassador on Twitter: @TurtleDeLoach27

And keep tuned for his comments and opinions on Sportcodex.com

TurtleD27's Titan's Draft Grade

"THANK GOD"

That is the tweet Chris Johnson sent when the Titans selected Alabama Guard Chance Warmack 10th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. Many fans had the same reaction. This was obviously the only choice the Titans had due to the horrific O-line of last year. The first round pick definately deserves an A+, but do all of the picks?

Round 2 Justin Hunter, WR Tennessee

The Titans traded up to draft a WR. Wait what? Why? Are you serious? That was my reaction. Many fans are excited that the Titans brought in a guy who has great potiential and if familiar with the state already, but lets look at this for a second. The last story I wrote was about the Titans signing Kevin Walter who is most likely the #4 WR on this team behind Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, and Kendall Wright. So why on earth would they MOVE UP in the second round in order to draft a WR? The only thing I can think of is the fact that the front office wanted to give the fans something that they would love, and Tennessee Titans fans loved Hunter at UT. Don't get me wrong, Hunter has loads of talent and shined at UT, but this was not a need for the Titans especially this early. I am giving them a C instead of an F only because he has the potiential to be a #1 one day. This was just not a major need.

Round 3 Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB Connecticut

Thought this pick was solid. Titans have depth in the secondary now after the off-season, but they really need a #2 corner, and this could be the guy. A for sure.

Round 3 Zaviar Gooden, OLB Mizzu

Was not a huge fan of this pick, once again, not because of the player, but because of the position already being occupied by Zach Brown, Akeem Ayers, and Colin McCarthy, all of whom the Titans love. They do need the depth, and if they can find a way to make one of these guys rush the pass then at least that will give them more options. C+

Round 4 Brian Schwenke, C California

This pick could be the steal of the draft. Schwenke might actually start over Fernando Velasco at Center for the Titans who was signed to a tender this off-season. This pick basically makes the Titan's offensive line 1 million times better, especially when you throw in Warmack as well. A++++++++

Round 5 Lavar Edwards, DE LSU

Expected the Titans to address the need for a DE much earlier than this, but I do think this was a good value pick. Edwards did not get as much playing time as he should have at LSU due to loads of talent on the D-line, but he will get plenty of playing time for the Titans if he stays healthy. B+

Round 6 Khalid Wooten, CB/S Nevada

Not a very smart corner, and not really what the Titans needed especially after taking Wrey-Wilson earlier in the draft. I know their secondary was horrible last year, but they have already signed 2 solid safeties in the off-season and drafted one corner already. Wooten could bring some upside though in the return game if given the opportunity. D

Round 7 Daimion Stafford, S Nebraska

Hate it. Hate it. Hate it. Nothing against Stafford, but if I need to say it again I will: THE TITANS SIGNED GEORGE WILSON AND BERNARD POLLARD IN THE OFF-SEASON. This kid might not even make the roster solely because the Titans will not have enough room for him. A wasted pick. F-

The Titans did a GREAT job at fixing the offensive line problems. This will go a long way in helping this offense. Was not a huge fan of the Justin Hunter pick, but if he shines like he did at UT then this offense becomes scary. I really wish they would have paid more attention to the defensive line because they still need someone to put pressure on the QB, but this is hands down the best draft the Titans have had in a LONG LONG LONG time (which is not saying much, just look for yourself). Could have been better, but definitely made the Titans a team to think about in the future.

Overall Grade: B

Photo: Zimbio.com

stdClass Object ( [id] => 341 [title] => Titans Add WR Walter; Now What? [alias] => titans-add-wr-walter-now-what [title_alias] => [introtext] =>

Follow TurtleD27 our Tennessee Titans Ambassador on Twitter: @TurtleDeLoach27

And keep tuned for his comments and opinions on Sportcodex.com

Titans Add WR Walter; Now What?

With the addition of WR Kevin Walter to the Titans, it really makes me wonder what moves are coming in the near future. Here are a couple of questions I have that will be answered this month.

What will the Titans do in the draft?

It is now looking like the Titans will go ahead and take the best available offensive lineman with their first round pick. I had stated earlier that I thought the Titans might get creative with their pick and possibly take WR Cordarrelle Patterson if he made it to them. Now that Walter has been signed, I do not see this happening. They will most likely take a RB at some point in time in the draft as well.

Does this mean a WR will be cut?

I do not see how a WR does not get cut from this team. I doubt the Titans are ready to give up on Kenny Britt, and they just drafted Kendall Wright last year with their first round pick. The Titans didn't sign Walter to cut him, so that most likely means that Nate Washington is the odd man out. He is scheduled to make $4.2 million this year which the Titans could use to sign their draft picks. It would be a shame to see him get cut after seeing what he has done for the franchise, but lets face it, we have seen the Titans do this many times to players that have been great to them. It is just part of the business.

Is this Locker's last chance?

My guess is yes. If we do not see major improvement this year then the Titans will most likely look somewhere else. This will hands down be the best team they have given Locker, and he has weapons around him that can make plays along with a MUCH better offensive line.

Is this CJ's last year as a Titan?

This will depend on his production this year. Shonn Greene was not added to the roster just to touch the ball twice a game. Coach Munchak said if Shonn is and there and is producing, then he is going to stay in. This will not sit well with CJ. I can definitely see some controversy in the future if Chris Johnson is not getting the ball as much as he wants. The Titans could opt out of CJ's contract after this year and stick with Greene who would cost less than half of what they were paying Johnson.

Photo: Zimbio.com

NBA 2K12 Review

Category: Sports Game Reviews Written by Ayden Dugmore

NBA 2K12 REVIEW

SCORE: 9.5/10

A must-buy!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 March 2012 12:27

The Code - Ice Hockey Terminology

Category: "The Code" Written by The Code Ninja