Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 3:38 pm  |  72 responses

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NBA JAM Remix

What would today’s tandems look like?

by Brad Graham

ESPN’s Jon Robinson recently reported that EA Sports have announced they’ll be releasing (an updated version) of the ’93 Midway arcade classic NBA Jam – only this time it’s be exclusively available for everyone’s (new) favorite console, the Nintendo Wii.

Not only does NBA Jam rank as the greatest two-on-two video game ever (note: not an opinion, it’s fact. Sorry Arch Rivals fans), it apparently still holds the record for most money earned (by a coin-op) collecting a $1 billion. Even for ’93, when Wreckx-N-Effect had us shaking rumps, Jurassic Park was king of the cinema and Chris Webber was the hottest player on the market, that’s impressive. Come to think of it, that’s more than a fistful of quarters. Crazy stuff right? Oh, so that’s how David Stern found the money to start the WNBA.

It’s been reported that Mark Turmell, one of Jam’s creators, has been brought back (from the dead) to consult on EA’s “updated” version. It’s still unclear whether or not the game will include kick ass characteristics of the original version like hidden characters, the iconic commentary and Fatalities (wait, wrong game). For those who grew up on Jam, this is a biggie. Kind of like a Wu-Tang Clan reunion – it only works if you have all the pieces, otherwise what’s the f**king point?

During my research, further mysticism (to Jam) was added thanks to the impossible to find original arcade machine upgrades that reportedly feature both Michael Jordan and Gary Payton (both where exclusions from the original release because of personal licensing concerns). What, MJ elected to be excluded because he didn’t want anybody to make a Benjamin from his image? That doesn’t sound like Jordan, oh wait… anyways, MJ and GP have since made their way onto select arcade machines… Don’t worry, I’ve looked on eBay for one, no luck. Doesn’t Santa owe me one? More so, this MJ/GP info could have really helped in ’93, you know, when my life depended on ruling the local arcade and girls where only something you cared about once you reached into your pocket and released you had run out of change. Those were the days…

For those interested, the full ESPN Jam article (and interview with Turnell), can be found here and here. Other useful NBA Jam information (and lets face it, whenever Jam is concerned, there is no other kind) can be found here and here.

With the news of an updated version of NBA Jam on the horizon, it’s only fitting to roll out a top shelf serving of tandems that this blogger would like to see included and just because I know you want it, I’ve included the original ’93 duos (when applicable because back then, there were only 27 NBA franchises).

ATLANTIC DIVISION

New York Knicks
2010: David Lee / Nate Robinson
1993: Patrick Ewing / Charles Oakley

New Jersey Nets
2010: Devin Harris / Brook Lopez
1993: Derrick Coleman / Drazen Petrovic

Philadelphia 76ers
2010: Andre Iguodala / Allen Iverson
1993: Hersey Hawkins / Jeff Hornacek

Boston Celtics
2010: Kevin Garnett / Paul Pierce
1993: Reggie Lewis / Kevin McHale

Toronto Raptors
2010: Jose Calderon / Chris Bosh
1993: -

CENTRAL DIVISION

Milwaukee Bucks
2010: Andrew Bogut / Brandon Jennings
1993: Brad Lohus / Blue Edwards

Chicago Bulls
2010: Joakim Noah / Derrick Rose
1993: Scottie Pippen / Horace Grant

Cleveland Cavaliers
2010: LeBron James / Shaquille O’Neal
1993: Mark Price / Brad Daughtery

Detroit Pistons
2010: Rip Hamilton / Ben Wallace
1993: Isiah Thomas / Bill Laimbeer

Indiana Pacers
2010: Danny Granger / Troy Murphy
1993: Reggie Miller / Detlef Schrempf

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Orlando Magic
2010: Vince Carter / Dwight Howard
1993: Shaquille O’Neal / Scott Skiles

Miami Heat
2010: Dwyane Wade / Michael Beasley
1993: Rony Seikaly / Glen Rice

Washington Wizards
2010: Gilbert Arenas / Antawn Jamison
1993: Tom Gugilotta / Harvey Grant

Charlotte Bobcats
2010: Gerald Wallace / Raymond Felton
1993: -

Atlanta Hawks
2010: Joe Johnson / Josh Smith
1993: Dominique Wilkins / Stacey Augmon

NORTHWEST DIVISION

Denver Nuggets
2010: Carmelo Anthony / Chauncey Billups
1993: Dikembe Mutombo / LaPhonso Ellis

Utah Jazz
2010: Carlos Boozer / Deron Williams
1993: Karl Malone / John Stockton

Minnesota Timberwolves
2010: Kevin Love / Al Jefferson
1993: Christian Laettner / Chuck Person

Portland Trail Blazers
2010: Greg Oden / Brandon Roy
1993: Clyde Drexler / Terry Porter

Oklahoma City Thunder
2010: Kevin Durant / Jeff Green
1993: Shawn Kemp / Benoit Benjamin

PACIFIC DIVISION

Los Angeles Lakers
2010: Kobe Bryant / Pau Gasol
1993: Vlade Divac / James Worthy

Los Angeles Clippers
2010: Baron Davis / Blake Griffin
1993: Danny Manning / Ron Harper

Phoenix Suns
2010: Steve Nash / Amar’e Stoudemire
1993: Charles Barkley / Dan Majerle

Golden State Warriors
2010: Monta Ellis / Corey Maggette
1993: Tim Hardaway / Chris Mullin

Sacramento Kings
2010: Tyreke Evans / Kevin Martin
1993: Wayman Tisdale / Spud Webb

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Houston Rockets
2010: Trevor Ariza / Shane Battier
1993: Hakeem Olajuwon / Kenny Smith

San Antonio Spurs
2010: Tony Parker / Tim Duncan
1993: David Robinson / Sean Elliott

Dallas Mavericks
2010: Jason Terry / Dirk Nowitzki
1993: Derek Harper / Mike Iuzzolino

New Orleans Hornets
2010: Peja Stokajovic / Chris Paul
1993: Larry Johnson / Kendal Gill

Memphis Grizzlies
2010: Rudy Gay / OJ Mayo
1993: -

My picks (remembering this is solely for video game purposes)…

Best new school duo: Vince Carter / Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
Silver: Baron Davis / Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
Bronze: Andre Iguodala / Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)

Best old school duo: Dominique Wilkins / Stacy Augmon (Atlanta Hawks)
Silver: Charles Barkley / Dan Majerle (Phoenix Suns)
Bronze: Dikembe Mutombo / LaPhonso Ellis (Denver Nuggets)

Looking through these tandems, I lust for the ’93 arcade  more than ever – just thinking about being able to play as either Brad Lohus/Blue Edwards or Tom Gugliotta/Harvey Grant is making my mouth water, yeah right. Although it would be pretty cool to have a video game where you match up Reggie Lewis on Drazen Petrovic or Wayman Tisdale on the now deceased Seattle SuperSonics. I guess, if nothing else, these athletes/franchises will live forever through Jam (I think I just started to cry). Looking over the rosters, it’s interesting how certain teams have altered their states completely (think Houston, Chicago and Denver) while others are simply mirrored version of their ’93 self’s (think Utah, Indiana and Boston).

Note: If NBA Jam were created today, Greg Oden would be the machine that’s being repaired every time you and your buddy’s want to play and Gilbert Arenas would be the faulty arcade machine that is chewing up everyone’s money… And for those who are interested, no, Rony Seikaly’s ex-wife was never included in any version of the game.

Brad Graham’s a hoop culture aficionado attempting to flee the once proud Australian basketball scene. He can be reached via email at brad.graham.creative@gmail.com.