I've played NBA Live since 95...

[JL2]

And even before that when it was called NBA Showdown and Lakers vs. Celtics. Every one was an overall improvement over the previous except for this year. The dribbling is horrible (read my other post about not being able to face in the direction you're going) and there's an invisible force-field around the players. I've tried adjusting the sliders to no avail.

Apparently, every time you bump into a defender, you're bounced back. It's almost like sumo wrestling. Both fighters meet, bump, fall back...meet, bump, fall back...repeat. I was posting Kevin Willis against Stromile Swift and Swift eventually pushed me past the half-court line.


Also, the big sell this year was defense - well hell, if you get rid of the offense in the game, of course the defense looks great.

In all fairness to EA, they finally got the blocks and steals right. However, they took away so much of the offense it's ridiculous. I have yet to cross up a defender.

Additionally, the animation is artificial. Their legs move 50 times, but they travel 2 feet. It's like they're on skates. Another example: Anyone who plays real basketball knows that if the ball's in your right hand and you try to spin, your spin will be clockwise. Try telling that to the folks at EA.

I'm amazed no one's brought up the points I have so far. All the complaints I see are about negligible things like the color of the referees jersey, et al.

[Old School Fool]

Code: Select all

I have yet to cross up a defender.

! I can do crossovers!

[bishibashiboy]

Additionally, the animation is artificial. Their legs move 50 times, but they travel 2 feet. It's like they're on skates. Another example: Anyone who plays real basketball knows that if the ball's in your right hand and you try to spin, your spin will be clockwise. Try telling that to the folks at EA.

Actually I hate the dribble animations this year too. I swear they look like they're taking "baby-steps" when they dribble the ball. In real life if you run with the ball you take longer strides. I thought it looked retarded the first time I brought the ball upcourt with Kobe. It looks like a 3-year old toddler dribbling for Christs sake.
IMHO, last year's dribbling was already perfect.

You could always turn down the cpu opponent fake-out, on ball D and User freestyle effectiveness if you wanna freestyle past someone. But don't lower it too much or it'll be like Live 2003 again!

[JL2]

Oh yeah. 2003's dribbling and offense was close to perfect. The strides were right and the control was great. You could do any move you wanted. Just leave that alone and improve the D, but no.

[bishibashiboy]

I dunno, the offense in Live 2003 was way too much run, gun and dunk because freestyle was just way too effective. I think it's much better that they lowered its effectiveness.

The best way to blow by someone is from the triple threat position. Another way is to set picks and then do crossovers. If you still have trouble I really suggest turning down the cpu on-ball D and fakeout discipline. For me, having them around low 50's or high 40's is fine and I could get to the basket quite easily with quicker players. The pro hop is also very useful (and cheap) if you wanna get to the basket.

[deepeej]

Apparently, every time you bump into a defender, you're bounced back. It's almost like sumo wrestling. Both fighters meet, bump, fall back...meet, bump, fall back...repeat. I was posting Kevin Willis against Stromile Swift and Swift eventually pushed me past the half-court line.


u can change this with your sliders as well, just set the physical thing on 50 and u wont bounce back

[1CenT]

the thing is.. ppl try to crossover when the defender is right at your hips
in real bball.. i dunno.. it can't realli be done.. soo therefore i fink it is a little realistic
if my defender is stuck on me.. i tend to go back 2 feet beyond 3 point line and face the defender and do a crossover that seems to work..
and durin fast breaks i crossover when teh defender is approachin me now then they are on me..
up your freestyle effectiveness a little bit..
and you don't see that many tim hardaways in the league nowadays.. i haven't seen many 1 on 1 crossover and blow by the other guy clearly from the crossover.. they usually in the nba. do something like a pro hop and blow by defenders.. and turbo when they have the defender off balance ( which can't really be done in nba live ) or else turbo will be too overrated..

[Yessie]

when i play specially online.. i take my PG just recently S.starbury and i crossover the other guy i was playing i had the lane all day. hold down freestyle left i think to do the crossover and keep it held youll do the crossover over and over wait for your D guy to go one way and you go the other way for an easy layup or if the PF or C come in to help dish it to your big man and use prohop under the basket and BAM dunk on his face.. i love it.. nba live 2004 rocks.

[Carmo]

These issues have not been brought up JL2 because most of these issues are not even issues. I believe the offence to be very good. It is good to have a challenge! Yet I can get past defenders using freestyle moves and screens together.

I do admit though that the spin dribble looks really weird because they do it the wrong way.

[Leander]

I just bought my copy of Live 2004 and played only two games so far but dribbling really sucks. Some animations are great, especially blocked shots (not that explosion-style like last year), nevertheless i hate all that bumping. I dribble one step forward, the other team's player pushes me two steps back...when standing behind the arc with a tall shooter, it should be easier to fake and shoot over him but I can't shoot at all, I pass to a guy, want to take a shot but my defender pushes me over and over. The defenders are like towers made of rubber, they touch you and push you away, pinball-bumper-style.

I have a guy passing to Garnett, I want to dribble one step towards the basket and shoot over my defender who is way smaller than Garnett...but immediately, I'm pushed and my player starts to dribble with the back towards his defender...

[1CenT]

you can decrease that force boundary field thingy in the sliders and decrease player physical def slider or something.. but it'll start to make the game easier

[martyboy]

You guys are all complaining, but IMO the game is alot harder than any previous version. Which is a damn good thing. 2003 was so easy my 3 year old sun can play and WIN
I have had 2004 for 3 days now and i love the challenge of playing. I admit it is frustrating when you can see an opening to drive or shoot and you are pushed back and cant recover fast enough but hey that makes it all the more satisfying when you win.
I am using the Knicks in Dynasty currently 4-0.

[Old School Fool]

DUDE WHERE THE HELL DID YOU FIIND THIS JORDAN PICTURE?!!?!?!?





Thats freakin' rare dude...oh my GOD!

[Ruff Ryder]

DUDE WHERE THE HELL DID YOU FIIND THIS JORDAN PICTURE?!!?!?!?





Thats freakin' rare dude...oh my GOD!

Did you ever think of copy image location?