NBA Live Hints, Tips, Tricks & Strategies

[Andrew]

Even though many of us are experienced NBA Live players, there are always new members of our community who are fairly new to the series. Therefore, I'm compiling a list of hints, tips, tricks and strategies for NBA Live 2004 which will be posted in the NBA Live 2004 section. I'd like to invite everyone to share their knowledge so that we can all better our NBA Live experience. All submissions will be credited to the individual who contributed them.

You can submit your hints and tips to andrew@nba-live.com or by posting in this thread.

[- Ace -]

Offense:

Try not to attempt a non-open shot unless the shot clock is running out. Swing the ball around and find the open man. Throw the ball inside the post, wait for the double team and then pass it outside, shoot the ball or swing it to the weak side for an open shot, or throw the ball back in the post.

Know ratings for the individual players. If the player doesn't have three pt range, don't shoot a three using that particular player.

Seems like a shot attempted after a pass is made is more likely to go in then a shot attempted after a couple of dribbles.

If you are dribbiling, you can create distance by bouncing the CPU defender off of you and then use the opening to shoot an open J.

Defense:

Play aggressive defense. Don't rely on your computer teammates to defend because they never play tight defense and the computer opponent will just shoot jumper after jumper and make it. Control a big man and roam around the court, clogging up the passing lanes and driving lanes so the cpu perimeter players cannot drive. If the cpu posts up, let your CPU teammate defend the post guy and use your big man to try to go for the block on the weakside. If the computer is driving to the basket get in between him and the basket and go for the charge. The computer sometimes will put up an awkward layup that will miss.

If the computer has a good outside shooting team, play man to man. If you want to have steals, play full court man to man and steal the ball when the inbounder imbounds the ball.

[dreadd41]

anyone knows how to perform that dribble Tony Parker does on the intro video? the one the player fakes a run and dribles it back... do i have to use an analog joystick?....

[Luca]

And does anyone know how to perform Finley's dribble?


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If anyone wants to play online, contact me
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[midLfinger]

anyone knows how to perform that dribble Tony Parker does on the intro video? the one the player fakes a run and dribles it back... do i have to use an analog joystick?....

Just tap left and right on the right analog stick a few times. When the defending player goes for a steal that'll happen.

[tempo]

tips:

1:height and weight are benefical for example lebron, rose, penny, kobe, taller guards can shoot the one handed shot from down low, these players are either to quick (for players of the same hieght) or have a height advantage to get the shot off.

2: 3 point shots and jump shots: if a player has the 3 point icon this i belive means you can force the shot over a defender wheras players without this rating can "depending or rating" hit the open shots, when a player jumps up with the hand in the face (doesnt seem this way for the computer tho dammit) this will adhust the rrating straight away, i was also wondering does defensive awarness adjust the players shot he is guarding due to his posisioning type defence or something similar?

3: learn to box out on free throws, doubles your chances!!!!

4: some players seam to differ on shooting depending on wether they are shooting off the dribble (iverson, hamilton) or shooting the set shot (rice, stoj)

5: pick and roll on the perimeter take it inside, depending on the sliders they will either be a high percentage shot (orccording to theory a layup regardless is a higher percentage shot then any deep jump shot?) or they will be contact and high percentage shots will be taken "free thorws" and 1's make it even more like the decent strategy....

6: quick step and then shoot works a treat, especially with the slashers...from the arc quick hop then jay it from the elbows, defenders cant react quick enough

7: big players differ also, are they better at facing up or at playing with the back to the basket, jump shot, range, inside and quickness count for jump shots, were as inside, strength, dunking, awarness, jumping combine for the back to the basket players..

8: fast breaks are a bitch, remember 9/10 the computer will throw an alley-oop on a 2-1 fast break, jumping at any time reduces the chances of the player getting it in, in real life you are tought to face the ball handler nearer to the center of basket as possible closing down the passing lanes but not allowing for the easy layup, same applies for the computer game...

9: when faking, a move most be made instantley, either a shot or a move to space for the shot, the computter reacts very quickly....

10: smaller players get hammered inside........

11: dont run around, use set plays

[arguy337]

Give and goes can be deadly. To do a give and go hold the pass button. Usually the best plan is to take your fastest man and stand close to your PF around the perimeter. Then do the give and go and use the PF as a pick. When you get close to the basket, let go of the pass button and the ball will be passed back, and just dunk or layup. Timing is everything, so practice it a lot to really make this play deadly.

11: dont run around, use set plays

^ cant stress this enough. Here's a hint: if you have a team with a PF that shoots threes well (Walter Mccarty for the Celtics as an example) then look for the offensive play 'zone screens'. Swing it around the perimeter, and you will usually get a nice open shot for your power forward.

[MaD_hAND1e]

Offense
When you pass it to a PF or C in the post and he gets doubled, instead of passing it out for the open shot, u can use the off ball control (press the right analog stick) and switch to the open man without the ball, thn cut towards the basket and press pass to receive the ball for an easy layup. Practice this move, as it is very effective, especially when you don't want to risk a long range jumper missing. But the key is to be quick, otherwise the double team will steal the ball from your big man. When you want to pass for the open shot try to move the man with the ball as far away from the open man as possible before you pass, so that the defender will take longer to reach the open man. If possible use the post up button to back down on the defender helping on the double team (eg. if the shooting guard is open, back down on his defender when he comes to double team you)

Also, always use the direct passing button when you pass and be ready to pass at any time when you drive to the basket. The computer will usually double team the driving player.

Don't stand to far behind the 3 point line when you shoot an open three. It is best to have the circle that is underneath the player just a little bit over the line, this makes a more accurate 3 point shot.

Use a screen when you want an open 3. Call the Pick and Roll play (D-Pad) The bigman setting the pick usually holds the defending marking your man and then the defender of the bigman switches to your guy. When the other defender is marker your player, move your player closer to the 3 point line. The bigman screening for you should roll into the lane, at that time, the bigman marking you should switch back, while the defender that usually guards your player is still running mark. This should give you an open shot for 3.

Defense
Before the game, look at the shooting ratings of the players on the other team, remember which ones have low ratings, usually anything under 75 wouldn't hit an outside shot consistently, so when you are playing, and that player has the ball, move your defender back a little so the player will shoot, when he jumps, jump to contest the shot. Usually I can hold a team to below 35% by forcing the bad shooters to shoot.

When you defend the players who like to drive, hold turbo and "push" the player with your defender. The player should "bounce" off and will be unable to perform any freestyle moves to get past you, so can't drive, forcing them to beat you by shooting.

[jjshankshaft]

anyone knows how to perform that dribble Tony Parker does on the intro video? the one the player fakes a run and dribles it back... do i have to use an analog joystick?....

sure do. see EA sports for some reason doesnt tell you how to do moves it is a big mystery. do this:

hold your cross over button before dribbling and use the arrows on your keyboard it does all different types of fakes and even a dribble backwards i assume in some way while dribbling you can do that fake step too. hope that helps.

[Andrew]

Great tips guys. Keep them coming!

[trsba]

Controlling CPU fast breaks

Obviously using the Sliders and slowing the game down will decrease CPU fastbreaks. But if you get caught twice in a minute by a CPU fast break.. always use up an intentional foul and 9/10 times it will foul them long before they get near the basket enabling all your players to be back before they imbound the ball. I would probably do that 6 times a game and it will save you 10 points.

[ThieveryCorp4life]

I've found that in the dynasty mode when selecting from the fantasy draft it's imperative that you develop or draft a good second team squad. I have found that in the all-star mode the CPU will compensate for early leads and blow -outs, in other words, when your team is down more than 10 the CPU will miss some sure fire shots and your shots will start falling. I have also found that a good, or at least competitive 2nd team will keep you in the game at least long enough to rest your starters.
Substitution is key. I put my slider on 0 so I make all the subs and I find that you can play your players about 1/3 more than the CPU would making the change.

[Andrew]

I've posted the hints that have been provided so far:

NBA Live 2004 Hints, Tips, Tricks & Strategies

I've corrected spelling and grammar here and there, but everyone has been given full credit for their submissions. Keep the hints coming!

[Mikelaker]

My personal favourite defensive tactics for sharing:

1. set your team Dfence at 'half court man to man', then you control your PG/SG to do a full court press instead, towards CPU's ball holder before he passes half court; in 80% of occasions, the CPU player (usually PG) will stay unmoved till near 8 seconds violation, then he will throw a long pass to his teammates already crossing half court; in many occasions the ball will be stolen by my teammates or will be thrown outbound! You get a turn over then!

2. set your team defence as 'double team', then switch to control a player far away from front court, letting 2 CPU-controlled teammates to double team; after CPU opponet player passed ball inbound, and your two CPU-controlled teammates started double-teaming, you move your controlled guy as the 'third player' to try to steal the ball. That way, you got 3 players surrounding your opponent and the ball, and you gotta pretty high chance of a successful steal and turnover!

My favourite offensive strategies:

3. the game is doing rather realistic this year; players shoot well after receiving a pass and you instantly jump shoot him. Do this often especially when your good shooter gets the ball.

4. set offence play as '3 point' as you bring the ball crossing midcourt. You will see 2 of your players (usu. PG and SF) starting to position themselves at 3 point line, one on right and other on left, and giving you the hand signal that they are ready to receive your pass. Do NOT pass to them yet. What you should do next is to one-on-one your controlled player at around keyhole area, pretending you are going to fake pass; CPU opponent sometimes double-team you suddenly leaving one of your two 3-point-eager players wide open; pass to him and shoot! Or, CPU opponent won't double team you, but one of the 3 point shooter teammate will move towards a more central region of 3 point line; it's in that position that even he is being guarded he has a higher chance of shooting 3 point in. Try this!

Enjoy NBALive 2004
Mikelaker

[Ozjo]

Pay attention to who has their hands up. If you are always ignoring teammates who call for the ball, they are more likely to quit on you (not play defense, not run in transition).

Also, when a good shooter, Ray Allen for example, bounces off/ pushes off a defender, their jump shot will usually drop.

[mustafaaab]

Ozjo, please tell me how you determined the ill effects of not passing to a man with his hands up. I never heard this before.

[osakafanz]

i just CANT hit many threes & mid range shots (wonder if u guys have the same problem with me)

But i recently made my scoring more efficient by scoring in the paint with tall guys with gd inside scoring

Tot id share with the guys here abt my strategies cause Im kindda on a roll in the game playin at All Star level

Defensively;

I use Zone most of the time cause I find it to be a very efficient way to steal d passes from Com

Tall centers n PFs should be gd for a few blocks/ game too

I try to lead the Com as many points as possible so that i do not have to use Full Court Press on the Com to gamble for passes out of the double team, cause they will be ONLY passing the ball n not playing

Offensively;

POST UP. Hell its one of the best plays ever especially for big guys who play in the paint. Im using Ilgausgas n Nowitski to score much of the points in the paint.

Use PGs to slash inside to score baskets too. Like for me I use Brent Barry to relieve the scoring load n still earn assists from passes into the paint n fast breaks. PGs r gd for slashing usually as they usually fast with the ball n they can spin well. Its a bonus i guess if they can dunk the ball.


Summary;

I limited Com's fast breaks with minimal jump shots n 3s.

I go for better field goal % cause i score mostly from the paint

I created HELL for the Com with the steals of their passes which up their Turnovers hehe

The downside is my SF n SG score lesser. It will be a bonus if my SF n SG r gd 3pt shooters cause they r mostly outside

Hope the post will help in anyway

[Sovartus]

If you go into your Team strategy and turn your Crash the boards setting to off you players will more inclined to get back on defense. You have to switch to your post players to grab Off boards but you will save your self a lot of trouble and pts. Another thing you must do when doing this is switching to your defenders that are getting back on def for you. If you don't cut off the guy that is furthest down court the computer will continue breaking. Don't make the mistake of thinking that if you cut off the ball the break will stop. You will see the computer stop and wait for an offensive set insead of running so much. This is hard to do against fast breaking teams that are designed to run against you. ie. Dallas and Memphis.

Another way to do this is the switch to the cpu team before the tip and turn crash the boards on for the cpu.

However using both methods creates a slight advantage for the user (so don't cheat)

[eladbecks]

offense

be calm...
never hurry up to shoot the basket!
get all ur players in spot...
then pass the ball throw the PG,SG,SF 's until the other team defense will break a part!
then pass the ball into the paint:

1.
if u get a double team...
pass the ball out..
if there is a clean shot...shoot it(if ur player's rating fits for that kind of shot)!
other way is to pass the ball fast to one of ur long range shooters and then get the score u need!

2.
if ur alone with an good inside scorer....do ur thing and get a basket!
watch out from the blocks!


defense

before you start the game...
view the Team Scouting's...

if the red scroller is on fast break..
put down an Full Court press!

if the red scroller is on the half court..
put down a Half Court press!

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dont ever leave a player alone..
always keep an eye on the good PFs,Cs ...
if one of them gets the ball...
quickly run to him and make a double play!
then he wouldn't able to shoot well!

if you have a tall agressive Blocker!
don't fear to use him over and over till' the other team will think a lot before they do anything risky!

when you lose a ball and running after a fast break..
switch to ur fastest player and run after the player with the ball.....
when his getting close to the basket...
take Charge (usually the Shot key) in front of him before the player do a Lay-up\Dunk ....
that will probably give him an offense foul!

if ur player is a good blocker....just come behind him and jump(probably will block him!)....

Task List

play for the task list points!
dont play an unreal game with one player with 50 pt's and all the other players with less then 10 pt's..
use all of ur players to score baskets!
that way you'll get 250 task list pt's (the easiest task i think)!

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play team work...
dont give up ...
use ur fouls well!
as same as ur time-outs!

make ur self a game plan that fits the players rating point!
that way u'll never be disapointed!

[OldFoolStyle]

A play i use a bit is; pass to a player in the post, call for a cut to the basket, then have the post player back down close to the paint. You'll draw the cutter's defender leaving him wide open under the basket. I use this with Magic and Worthy or sometimes Barkley and Ceballos(created), but it shoud work with Nowitski/Finley or Malone/Bryant.

Offensive Rebounding

Seems quite a few people have problems with this, but those of us that do ok haven't realy given very good tips on how to do this.

First step is of course the sliders, I use 30 defensive and 70 offensive for both teams. Though that's just what works for me, go ahead and fiddle with that till you're happy.

In the team strategy set crash boards to on, and box out off. Though you can turn crash boards off as well, I just like having more options to choose from.

In the words of rebounding great "Sir" Charles Barkley, "just go get the damn ball". EASports makes your teammates weak or lazy in certain aspects, this is to make you and not the AI the focus of your team. If you want the rebound you must switch to the player near the basket and get it yourself, the AI will ignore the ball no matter how close it is.

This might seem defeatist, but assume all shots are misses. No matter how wide open you are or how perfect your release, always switch to the player nearest the basket imediatly after you let go of the shoot button.

Play a junk game once in a while just to get the timing down. You can only improve by practicing.

A big factor is shot percentage, if you're shooting 60% or higher there just aren't enough missed shots for a good off rebounding stat. Also, close shots are much harder to recover. A good mix of mid range and threes along with shooting in the high 40's is not only realistic scoring, it gives more oportunities for rebounding.

Finaly, pay attention to what players or teams you use. For example, Karl Malone is known as a great rebounder, on the defensive side not so good of an offensive rebounder. Jayson Williams(the forward/center)was considered an average rebounder, but usualy led the league in offensive boards. So the difference between a good rebounder and a good offensive rebounder isn't that clear, check your players ratings to find what you have.

[mvp_sheed]

If you play a zone on defense the comp usually kills you with 3-pointers. Instead, try playing a 3-2-Zone on defense! This is very efficient if you're using two good shot-blockers on center and pf. As soon as the comp tries to penetrate select one of your big men and you're done.
The only weakness i discovered: your team-mates don't know how to switch properly.

[ludacris06]

I kinda play like the Pistons on defense, because my offensive game isn't that tight.

When the CPU gets in close to the key, just call a double team so they have to pass the ball out. If a player gets too close to the sidelines, just call a double team also.

I also like calling a pick and roll, then call the play "basket cut" so there is more than one player running to the basket and not just my forward. It kinda confuses the defense because they don't know who I'm going to pass the ball to.

[osakafanz]

use guards to back down n spin to score down low

[Tim*The King*Duncan]

Say your down a point with less than a minute left. The Comp. is intentionally fouling you. You get to the line. Make your fist one. Then intentionally miss the second and rebound?

Hit the shoot button when the free throw cursor is at the most left (If your the Spurs and Duncan is on the left side) Then hit the shoot again at the highest point to miss, hit turbo and rebound, Duncan(who is on your left) will get the rebound, bam! CPU will foul you again, works against human palyers too.

If your best rebounder is on the right, shoot when the cursor is at the most right, etc. =)

[Tim*The King*Duncan]

Easier pik-n-roll:

When you inbound after the CPU makes a shot, and the CPU is playing Man-to-man. Hit ISO. Get your PG to the opposite wing, then hit Pick-n-Roll. The C or PF, which ever is closer will leave his man and screen for you, if your PG is a good shooter, hit the 3, if he could drive, the weak side is always open(much better choice). If not, pass to the rolling man for an open jumper in the lane or dunk. The CPU even on superstar is slow to recover from an iso-pick-n-roll.