I mentioned the image because it directly contradicts your use of the word "may." Do you somehow doubt the image exists? It is in that article we are talking about. The very same Sept 1 article that still says "A representative for Nintendo of America confirmed that box art, like that for NBA above, will have notices of this memory card requirement on the front and back of packaging." So please tell me how an internet download has front and back packaging.
This isn't a mislabel. This is an entire article specifically on this subject. It only exists because Nintendo just made an announcement about it. Do you think Nintendo PR has not read this 3 day old article? And note that in the article a reporter got confirmation from Nintendo on this point.
Well at least you now sound like you admit this is for the physical copy. If this was just an advisory then it wouldn't have the word "required". We have now come full circle to my last reply to you.
Obviously NBA 2K18 is the first of a new class of larger sized games. That is the whole reason for this microSD announcement. I'd also wager that NBA 2K18 will have larger patches than other games too.
I want to end by noting that your entire argument boils down to you saying that you don't want to believe what every single bit of evidence says is true. And what do you use to back up that extraordinary claim? Nothing. You just think/hope that Nintendo, IGN reporters, and gaming outlets all made multiple mistakes with specificity days ago...and no one but you has since caught it.