Questions on Live 2004 (WARNING:MAY BE A POINTLESS POST!)

[Fresh8]

Ok...maybe this is a pointless post...but i wanted to ask these questions:

1. Does anyone know whether the FA bug happens if you DON'T SIM the Free Agent Phase?

2. How good are the rookies in Dynasty? Can you pick players late in First Round or in Second round who may be as good or better than some chosen in the Early stages of the First Round?

3. Since the PC version is delayed, is it possible EA is updating rosters and ratings?

4. With injuries, can players play 'through' injury...and if so, does this make them worse in the game or do they get more injured?

5. How smart is the computer? And how realistic is the game?

6. How good is Yao Ming cmpared to Shaq?

It would be great if someone can answer these questions! And if this is pointless...please tell me! Peace!

[Andrew]

1. I simmed a few seasons and didn't notice the problem as much as other people have. It's a problem that's existed since the very first Franchise Mode, and is fairly random. Sometimes players behave realistically when it comes to free agency, other times they're available for the minimum.

2. Rookies are much better in NBA Live 2004. Players selected in the second round are never superstars in their first season (at least I haven't encountered any), but they have a good chance of becoming good role players.

3. Possibly. I'm sure the rosters will be updated, as the PC version has always featured more up to date to rosters than the console versions due to the later release.

4. I haven't had a player injured for more than the duration of the current game yet. I think someone mentioned players can play through injury, but they run the risk of re-injury. The same goes for bringing players back during the game in which they get injured (if they are able to return).

5. The AI has been greatly improved, especially in the final minute. The CPU will aggressively double team you, make it difficult to set up a play in a close game. They will also foul you to stop the clock and force you to try and win the game from the foul line.

6. Yao's pretty good in the game. Shaq is rated 92 overall while Yao is rated 75 overall.

[jerk_factory]

2. How good are the rookies in Dynasty? Can you pick players late in First Round or in Second round who may be as good or better than some chosen in the Early stages of the First Round?

The only problem I have with the rookies is pretty minor. This year's rookies (LeBron, Carmelo, Bosh, etc.) are rated pretty low compared to the generated rookies and their ratings don't seem to increase much over time. In my second season, the top 5 picks in the draft were all rated higher than LeBron. It's not that big a deal, but it would have been nice if it was a little more consistent.