Live Series Passing Woes

I have been playing the NBA Live series since it started as the Lakers Vs Celtics on Genesis. I have noticed changes in gameplay all throughout the series some good and some bad. But the thing most constantly bothers me is the passing control.

However that sort of was addressed when the Live Series integrated the Direct Pass option. It was a great tool for my style of game since I do not use plays.

I would say I just run "motion" offense where everybody seems to scramble around like headless chickens but in the process some of them get into good scoring position or open slots in the field. When this opportunity comes, direct passing just makes it so much easier and safer to hit its target (some of them even goes through players bodies) compared to conventional directional passing where you use the movement stick to guide the pass. Direct Passing is very effective for fastbreaks where you can push the ball to players already running the floor.

Most importantly, I think, is that Direct Passing is the key to counter annoying double teams. I sort of use only a few teams so I'm pretty familiar with who might be open in case I'm double teamed.

Now in this years NBA Live (for PS3) negates that advantage. The button first of all has been designated together with the alleyoop. Then the speed in which you can access the feature is has been terribly delayed...its not instant like it was before.

I guess I may have to figure out how to control passes using the movement stick and find out its nuances and patterns. Hopefully next year they'll bring back Direct Passing in its original form....

I feel your pain....I thought direct passing was a great addition to the Live series (I know Live does it better than 2k series), but it was something that didn't need to be messed with....such is life I guess....

Direct pass is where its at. Its a must, its something any NBA game NEEDS. Thats like madden not having buttons for receivers, and you just tilt the analog in the general direction to the receiver you want and hope it goes to the right one. Really its that important. I use it moreso the regular passing. So this delay isnt good news. I hope for at least the PC it is fast.

I have to say that I do not like passing since live 2005 ... the direction was always a bit hard to point out but the major problem to me was the speed of those passes ... some are just so easy to catch for the defender.

Terrible. Yet another thing to add to my list of things EA's taken away that they did right for a change.

I have no major gripes with the direct passing on the 360 version though doubling up the button with the alley-oop control can result in a few miscues from time to time. I don't like that the PS2 version (and therefore most likely the PC version as well) utilises an on/off toggle for direct passing though; I've always preferred the method of holding down direct pass so that if I change my mind and decide to take the shot I can just release the shoulder button.

I have no major gripes with the direct passing on the 360 version though doubling up the button with the alley-oop control can result in a few miscues from time to time. I don't like that the PS2 version (and therefore most likely the PC version as well) utilises an on/off toggle for direct passing though; I've always preferred the method of holding down direct pass so that if I change my mind and decide to take the shot I can just release the shoulder button.

So you don't get a "delay" with the Direct Pass access in the 360 version? I have to hold the button for at least 2-3 seconds before the designated buttons appear under the players...I mean that's precious seconds for a split second decision.

I wouldn't say it's immediate but it doesn't feel like the delay is that long to me. Perhaps it's just the way I use Direct Pass though; when I want to fire a quick pass I usually use the old "direction + pass button" method.