Earlier this week, an enormous simulation of the NBA Finals using NBA 2K15 was posted to Hit The Pass. The piece features complete game summaries, highlights, statistics and analysis.
Game 1 of the Finals last night was thrilling, with the Warriors outlasting the Cavaliers in overtime. It was remarkable just how closely it played out to the video game simulation, most notably the situation at the end of regulation.
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In the actual game, LeBron James held the ball with the final seconds ticking off and the score tied at 98. In the simulation, LeBron James held the ball, with the final seconds ticking off, and the score tied up at 102. Both even took place on the same side of the court.
Though what he did on that final play was very different. LeBron has been criticized at times throughout his career when he has settled for jump shots in critical moments of games. That's what happened last night, but interestingly in 2K15, he chose instead to drive and draw contact. He missed the shot in the game but got fouled in the sim and hit the game-winning free throw.
Could having been more aggressive at the end of regulation resulted in the different oucome? Would Kryie Irving have been able to last the entire series had that game not gone to overtime?
Those are questions that in reality can never be answered definitively. Yet, at least in NBA 2K15, the answers to both were yes.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast and Hangout shows, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.