I think this is how the CPU could play better...

[Alcoholic]

I think if from the start EA makes all the teams use their respective plays, and makes the CPU quicker on it's feet, the gameplay will be alot better. For example, when the PG goes up to the 3 point line, I can walk behind him, and he won't even drive forward, he'll just stand there like im still in front. EA needs to fix things like this so the CPU takes advantage, and when the CPU runs plays, I often see that players get 'stuck', and simply move too slow. I could do a triangle offense for example, but everybody is just jogging around, not really getting open. They need to make the plays more realistic, maybe having the CPU players do some of their own off ball freestyle moves...

[Andrew]

In a similar vein, I'd like to the CPU play a more intelligent game rather than simply "cheating". NBA Live 2004 displayed a vast improvement in this area, but the problem of the CPU "cheating" remains a problem in sports games, most notably NBA Live.

Rather than counteracting the human player's moves with smart and effective plays, the CPU will still provide a challenge by making impossible shots, and a few bread and butter moves that work too often. The unstoppable jump hook in the low post, the long three with the shot clock winding down, shooting the jumper fading to the side...the CPU has a little too much success with these moves.

I certainly understand the importance of the CPU having a slight edge and the necessity for the comeback code. Human intelligence will prevail over artificial intelligence, so something must be done to keep the game interesting and challenging. As I said, NBA Live 2004 was improved in this area, but I'd love to see even more progress made here.

The comeback code needs to be in balance with the realism. Easier said than done, but it's probably the main aspect of the gameplay that needs to be improved. NBA Live 2004's gameplay is a lot of fun, and the addition of sliders has allowed us to tweak it so that we can get realistic gameplay, stats and scores. Now it's just a matter of further refining the game's realism.

When the "Keep Scores Close" option is disabled, the comeback code shouldn't be as aggressive, and certainly shouldn't border on unrealistic. By no means should late game heroics by the CPU be abolished. They just have to come from the right players. Ervin Johnson should not keep the Timberwolves in the game with a couple of lucky three pointers as the shot clock expires.

If the CPU played a better game of basketball, using off-ball freestyle and other strategies that we as the human players must utilise, I think a greater level of realism could be achieved, which would make for a more satisfying challenge.