Sports games with story modes are a relatively new occurence, assuming of course that you don't count things like franchise and season modes in the mix; after all, you can't tell me going through a nine-game slump in early September in an MLB game isn't gripping drama, even if it's not necessarily that enjoyable. The original NBA Ballers was one of the first to feature a storyline and the developers at Midway are definitely upping their game with the next game in the series, NBA Ballers: Phenom.

　　While Phenom's story mode, with its lite-RPG elements, seems like a natural evolution for the series, I'm most curious to see how the game has involved ever since NBA commissioner David Stern dropped the dresscode hammer on NBA players. Gone are the days of Mr. T chains and NBA players rocking ice the size of small boulders on their fingers. In their place are business suits, silk ties, and perhaps a V-neck sweater or two. The NBA's policy doesn't just apply to the real world, however, it's clear that the league is intent on protecting its revamped image in the virtual world as well. As such Ballers, and next year's inevitable NBA Street follow-up from EA, will be forced to change with the times.

　　Though Midway producers were keen to play their cards close to the vest during yesterday's press tour visit for the game, you can't tell me for a second that the NBA's new policy didn't wreak havoc on Ballers' bling-first, shoot-later presentation style. What's most surprising isn't that Ballers is changing with the times--to be sure, you'll still have your fair share of bling in the game--but rather that the game hasn't met any delays while the development team has tried to cope with David Stern's whims.