It's kinda fitting how the covers for the two major NBA video games worked out this year. 2K Sports recruited Kobe Bryant—he of the defending champion L.A. Lakers—to rep for NBA 2K10. As for NBA Live 10? Well, EA Sports enlisted Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard, the star of last year's NBA bridesmaids. And that about sums up the state of the competition between the two franchises in 2009-10. The 2K series has dominated basketball gaming for almost the entire decade, while Live has struggled to keep pace.
But don't count Live out just yet—EA has essentially acknowledged the weaknesses of its recent NBA offerings by proclaiming this year's edition as the franchise's comeback. And it looks the part: NBA Live 10 (which drops today on 360, PS3, and PSP) has been rebuilt from the floor up, with more realistic gameplay and sim features as well as "Dynamic DNA," which wirelessly updates player and team info throughout the season. Over the summer, we visited the EA Canada headquarters near Vancouver to get an early look at Live 10 and chat with its cover athlete. Read on for Dwight Howard's candid responses to The Complex 7 as well as a look at the Live trailer and Buy It Now links...
#1: WHAT'S THE NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?
Dwight says: For me, somebody that's nagging. I don't like somebody that's nagging for attention. She's gonna get my attention but she doesn't have to nag for it. I prefer laidback—just let me do my thing and when they wanna get together, all right.
#2: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?
Dwight says: I've always liked Jordans, the way they feel. [Ed. note—Dwight is an adidas athlete. Zoinks!] I've only played in one pair and I can't remember the name.
Complex says: So I guess you're not a real Jordan head if you can't remember which one.
Dwight says: No, not like that. But I did like his shoes, they look good. But the most comfortable pair I ever worn is the Air Force 1. They just feel good.
#3: WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Dwight says:: A couple of weeks after the Finals. I was watching a special on a local station about our season and they were showing a review and talking to different players and they showed some highlights and I thought about some good times and getting far in our run for the championship. I started thinking about all that stuff and got some tears in my eyes.
Complex says: The emotions are still kinda raw from that, huh?
Dwight says: Oh yeah, you know it'll be in my mind for a while. That was a big moment in my life, playing in the NBA Finals.
#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Dwight says: I'd probably be somewhere resting getting a good massage. I like coming up here to Vancouver. It's a beautiful place. I been here kinda low-key for the past three years, just staying at a hotel to chill and get my mind off basketball.
#5: WHAT HAS GOT TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?
Dwight says: Something...it's a sports drink, I'll say that. Can't say what. [Ed. note—Dwight is sponsored by Vitaminwater. Zoinks!]
#6: WHAT'S THE WORST WAY YOU'VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?
Dwight says: I'm very emotional and I love relationships and sharing time with my significant other. I don't think I've had any bad breakups that I caused, but I would say the worst way I broke up was I had one of my homeboys do it for me. I was in the 9th grade. We had gotten in the classroom, and he wrote on the chalkboard, "It's over." All my classmates came in and said, "It's over!" And she still didn't get it.
#7: WHAT'S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU'VE EVER WORN?
Dwight says: Well, I'm not embarrassed about clothing. Growing up we always had Tacky Day, so I've worn just about anything. So I wouldn't say I've had any embarrassing moments wearing clothes.
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