If you're a basketball fan, who plays sports video games and franchise modes, you almost certainly know about NBA 2K's stellar MyGM and MyLeague modes. For the last six years, these features have set the standard for franchise mode concepts. While sometimes having room for improvement, MyGM and MyLeague have sat at a table alone when compared to similar modes within other sports video games. I was given an advanced look at the modes' annual blog written by Senior Producer Erick Boenisch and given an opportunity to speak with the 2K and Visual Concepts 16-year veteran about the ins and outs of this year's versions as well as a revamped create-a-player tool. The one from NBA 2K18 was such a step back from what had been previously offered that it caused an outcry amongst the demographic that had become so fond of the option. I haven't had a chance to play with any of those modes as of yet but based on the blog, the interview and follow-up conversations Boenisch and I have had, it would appear that most of the more prominently community-requested features have been added. I had an opportunity to ask about some of the ones that didn't make this year's game as well. There is a lot of information to share, as the blog itself is massive. I'll post what I received as well as some perspective about each section (in italics), as well as follow-up data answers I've been given since the interview. Speaking of the interview, the video version is embedded just below. If you take in all of the information, you're likely a franchise nut like many of us sports gamers, and you should have a solid understanding of the scope of the modes. You can read the blog in its entirety here, complete with Boenisch's introduction and other pieces, but I've captured the meat of each section. For NBA 2K19, we invested a considerable amount of time into MyLEAGUE Online with a unified singular goal: Bring everything that is offline directly into MyLEAGUE Online.

In his two seasons with the Ravens, John Urschel has started at three positions -- left guard, center, and right guard. Now, he's back in school trying to earn a third degree. As a collegiate standout at Penn State, Urschel earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree in math there, and was working on a second master's in math education when he was a fifth-year senior. That meant teaching classes on top of his football workload. But the balance was never an issue for Urschel, one he said in his first minicamp with the Ravens was one he enjoyed.