NBA Live 14 Is Barely Updating Its Players

Feature Article

Submitted on: 02/24/2014 by Jayson Young

Of the 428 players currently included in NBA Live 14, just 32 players have received an overall rating adjustment since the game's November 19 release.

That means a meager 7% of the game's roster has been updated over the past 3 months.

Almost half of the game's 30 NBA teams (14, to be exact) have received no rating updates since release day.

After performing a side-by-side comparison of the November 19, 2013 roster and the February 22, 2014 roster, here are the only changes of note:

Jeff Teague (ATL) -- 78 overall to 80 overall
Louis Williams (ATL)-- 77 overall to 78 overall
Elton Brand (ATL) -- 73 overall to 72 overall
Gustavo Ayon (ATL) -- 60 overall to 62 overall
Mike Scott (ATL) -- 59 overall to 60 overall
Paul Pierce (BRK) -- 85 overall to 84 overall
Kevin Garnett (BRK) -- 84 overall to 83 overall
Derrick Rose (CHI) -- 89 overall to 87 overall
Anthony Bennett (CLE) -- 75 overall to 74 overall
James Harden (HOU) -- 87 overall to 89 overall
Patrick Beverley (HOU) -- 71 overall to 75 overall
Paul George (IND) -- 88 overall to 90 overall
Dwyane Wade (MIA) -- 88 overall to 87 overall
Udonis Haslem (MIA) -- 71 overall to 70 overall
Steve Nash (LAL) -- 82 overall to 81 overall
Nick Young (LAL) -- 76 overall to 78 overall
Jordan Farmar (LAL) -- 74 overall to 73 overall
Shawne Williams (LAL) -- 66 overall to 67 overall
Anthony Davis (NO) -- 80 overall to 83 overall
Ryan Anderson (NO) -- 78 overall to 80 overall
J.R. Smith (NYK) -- 80 overall to 79 overall
Amar'e Stoudemire (NYK) -- 80 overall to 77 overall
Jeremy Lamb (OKC) -- 82 overall to 81 overall
Reggie Jackson (OKC) -- 79 overall to 80 overall
Arron Afflalo (ORL) -- 81 overall to 83 overall
Maurice Harkless (ORL) -- 70 overall to 72 overall
Jason Maxiell (ORL) -- 70 overall to 69 overall
Ronnie Price (ORL) --- 69 overall to 68 overall
Michael Carter-Williams (PHI) -- 77 overall to 80 overall
Eric Bledsoe (PHX) -- 82 overall to 85 overall
Lamarcus Aldridge (POR) -- 85 overall to 87 overall
DeMar DeRozan (TOR) -- 80 overall to 82 overall

Aside from each team's trades and transactions, which still do not reflect moves made at the February 20 trading deadline, the rosters for Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Memphis, Sacramento, San Antonio, Utah and Washington continue to look just as they did on the day NBA Live 14 came out.

How Badly Do The Ratings Need Updating?

The San Antonio Spurs' Marco Belinelli, this year's Three-Point Shootout champion, continues to sport a 75 three-point rating in NBA Live 14, despite making 45% from behind the arc this season. That's only 2% below Kyle Korver (47%), who maintains a 92 three-point rating in NBA Live 14, and 1% above José Calderón (44%), who owns a 91-rated three-point shot.

The NBA's second-hottest three-point shooter, Los Angeles Lakers point guard, Kendall Marshall, boasts an even more pathetic 59 rating from downtown, despite making 47% of his three-balls this season. Marshall's 59 three-point attribute makes even less sense when you consider that it's a point or two below big men like Anthony Bennett (23%), Pau Gasol (30%) and DeMarcus Cousins (0%). How can Cousins, who is 0 for 7 from the perimeter this year and 9 for 61 in his career (15%), have a higher three-point rating than Kendall Marshall?

Goran Dragić, the Phoenix Suns' leading scorer, and one of the primary reasons why the team has gone directly from the draft lottery to being a playoff contender, still sits at a 79 overall rating, behind lesser guards like Martell Webster (82 overall), Marcus Thornton (82 overall), Greivis Vásquez (81 overall), Thabo Sefolosha (81 overall) and Eric Maynor (80 overall). Numerous backups and role players, even the lowly Andrew Bynum, have higher attributes than Dragić, whose 22.36 player efficiency rating ranks 14th in the NBA, above household names like James Harden (22.00), Dwyane Wade (21.73), Russell Westbrook (21.64), Paul George (21.09) and Tony Parker (19.92). There are only two players in the NBA who currently shoot 50% or better from the field, while averaging at least 20 points and 6 assists per game: Goran Dragić and LeBron James.

What Happened To 'Hourly Updates'?

Player ratings are just one of many aspects currently lacking in NBA Live 14's roster. A number of teams are missing players, leaving their lineup short of the NBA's 15-man limit. Several athletes display weird hairstyles, or even the wrong skin tone. Many players appear without their favorite accessories, and the few who guys do have them are often using unusual accessory colors.

These mistakes all run contrary to the promise of "hourly updates", which Electronic Arts touted during NBA Live 14's June reveal at E3, and continued marketing all the way up to the game's November release.

Because NBA Live 14 was purposely designed to prevent gamers from editing its roster in any way, there is nothing that the title's estimated 100,000-plus owners can do to correct Electronic Arts' errors.

Are you satisfied with the way NBA Live 14 has handled its roster updates? Air your opinion in the comments below.

NBA Live 14 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 GisherJohn24 @ 02/24/14 10:42 AM

EA gave up. They're working on 15.

# 2 BSchwartz07 @ 02/24/14 10:49 AM

This is the same company that didn't even bother to update the uniforms on Madden 25 for PS3 and XBOX 360 from last year, and made you pay to get current updates on NCAA, how is this shocking?

# 3 Mintsa @ 02/24/14 11:02 AM

It's one thing to do a bad job. But they actually sold a feature of "hourly updates" and have not come anywhere near to honoring that......thats what disappointing.

# 4 GisherJohn24 @ 02/24/14 11:24 AM

Anyone know why EA canada stopped making Live games? Live 08, 09 and 10 were all great.

# 5 RoyalBoyle78 @ 02/24/14 11:54 AM

As I do like the game a bit, I think I may be trading it in this week.

# 6 teebee @ 02/24/14 12:01 PM

Kendall Marshall shouldn't have a high 3pt rating regardless of 3pt %; he can't shoot!

# 7 shutdown10 @ 02/24/14 12:26 PM

As fans of basketball gaming, we have to stop looking at nostalgia and start looking at overall body of work. They have not lived up to their promises or hype with this game. Can they really evolve this game in its current state into a next gen game this October? They have to explain what the Ignite engine can really do in it's entirety because it is looking like a huge bust right now for most of their sport games.

# 8 TheBadazz @ 02/24/14 12:45 PM

I bought Live used on XOne and month ago. Sold it on EBay last week. Wasn't worth keeping.

# 9 JazzMan @ 02/24/14 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teebee


	Kendall Marshall shouldn't have a high 3pt rating regardless of 3pt %; he can't shoot!

Attachment 73806

# 10 scottyp180 @ 02/24/14 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GisherJohn24


	EA gave up. They're working on 15.

Tbh this is the best case scenerio. Live 14 should be getting roster updates, it shouldnt be difficult to update some attributes, but at this point there's not much more that can be done with this game and it would be pointless for EA to spend anymore time with it. While the game didn't even reach low expectations EA should take the fact that they were able to release a game this year as a slight victory. At this point all attention should be towards live 15.

They can't correct the past but they are in full control of their future. Imo live 15 is going to be a make or break year for the series. The game doesn't need to best 2k but it needs to be a viable option. Live 14 's minute success and fandom was a result of the die hard livefans and those who have been looking for a basketball game that wasnt 2k. With live 15 EA is completely out of excuses. They need to come out with a game that is scored no lower than 7-7.5. It doesn't need to be the greatest basketball game ever but simply being a functional basketball game (which live 14 borders on) is not enough. Live 15 needs to reach Live 10 type functionality. By that i mean a game that plays well, offers something different than the competition, and is fun to play. Again it does not need to be better than 2k but it needs to offer enough quality that gives us basketball fans a reason to consider buying the game (either instead of 2k or as another option to 2k)

# 11 The 24th Letter @ 02/24/14 12:53 PM

Honestly, all EA had to do was provide competent support, and they wouldn�t be losing the support and trust of the community once again�

-ATTEMPT to fix bugs, I realize some bugs simply can�t be fixed, but at least provide effort�
-TRY to somewhat stay in line with their roster promises, as we cannot edit ourselves�.even if they accurately updated once a week I don�t think the community would be as upset

I would�ve been fine with these two points. I would still have Live and be playing it�.as there are some things I do like about it�..but I now have a horrible taste in my mouth..

# 12 scottyp180 @ 02/24/14 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutdown10


	As fans of basketball gaming, we have to stop looking at nostalgia and start looking at overall body of work. They have not lived up to their promises or hype with this game. Can they really evolve this game in its current state into a next gen game this October? They have to explain what the Ignite engine can really do in it's entirety because it is looking like a huge bust right now for most of their sport games.

I'm sincerely hoping that this year the "ignite engine" shows its capabilities. Last year the "new engine" seemed to be more of an update or extention of the old engine oppose to something brand new. The engine was promised to improve animations and control, and while it did to extent, it was far from anything revolutionary. This year ea needs to prove that this engine is the future for their sports titles and that it brings their gamss to the next level. The ufc game might give us a good idea what to expect out of the engine later in the year.

# 13 GisherJohn24 @ 02/24/14 01:05 PM

I would rather they use their resources now to make 15 anyway. 14 is in shambles, move on and focus for next year and give us the game you promised

# 14 Ermolli @ 02/24/14 01:05 PM

So much for Synergy. I remember that I read somewhere that player ratings were going to be defined mostly by stats and as shown by the article, much like the "hourly updates", it wasn't true which is a shame because I found both features interesting. I still don't understand how difficult is for them to update roster moves, people in the community have done/are doing that so it isn't like it's a really demanding task. They must be all in for Live 15 which I hope it makes a huge payoff although I don't have much faith on it.

# 15 WTF @ 02/24/14 01:13 PM

you all are putting good use of my Bongo the Buck and "Giannis" picture.

# 16 KennyJ1976 @ 02/24/14 01:39 PM

I wish people would stop saying forget about Live 14 and move on to Live 15 because as consumers, we were promised something and we are not getting it. It's bad enough that we went out and bought Live 14 this year, considering it's not a next gen game, and paid full price for it. The least they can do in return is keep the game updated on a regular basis. Whoever made the decision to take the roster editor out of the game should be FIRED on the spot because their plan is not working. I even saw in a recent interview where the executive producer was still bragging about synergy, he should be fired too. We give Live a chance and this is the thanks we get, all you guys at EA can GTFOH as far as I'm concerned.

# 17 Pokes404 @ 02/24/14 01:59 PM

EA is really blowing an opportunity here. Not only has 2K's next-gen release been successful, but not the homerun many were expecting, but 2K has been known for not being the strongest in the online/roster update department. EA had a chance to really hit them in an area where 2K has lagged behind.

It's unfortunate, because even though I'm a 2K fan now (and have a hard time seeing myself going back to Live), I'd like there to be competition and for gamers to have a choice. It's just better for everyone involved. They had a good opportunity this year, but I'm afraid they may have blown it. Next year is going to be do-or-die for them. People can only be disappointed and still hold onto hope for so long.

# 18 Flightwhite24 @ 02/24/14 02:13 PM

I've come to the conclusion EA "Hoodwinked" me again.

I really tried to be onboard with them even after being "Hoodwinked" with NCAA Basketball 10.

I be damned if they get my $$ again without plenty of OS reviews before making a decision.

Consider this EA. You've lost a 17 plus year customer here. I was around when I would go over to your San Mateo office and pick up games at the receptionist desk. Oh how I miss the old EA

Sent from my iPhone

# 19 King_B_Mack @ 02/24/14 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLIGHTWHITE


	I've come to the conclusion EA "Hoodwinked" me again. I really tried to be onboard with them even after being "Hoodwinked" with NCAA Basketball 10. I be damned if they get my $$ again without plenty of OS reviews before making a decision. Consider this EA. You've lost a 17 plus year customer here. I was around when I would go over to your San Mateo office and pick up games at the receptionist desk. Oh how I miss the old EA Sent from my iPhone

Honestly though man. They didn't hoodwink you. You were around last year with the crap that went on with Live 13. Myself, 23, noshun and a few others said exactly what you were getting this year. You were getting a beta test. They were going to sweet talk everybody with their comeback talk and charge you full price for a beta test. They were trying to get people to pay for a beta test last year too.

If you went out and spent money on this game in the stores, then you merely gave them license to continue doing what they do. Honestly, I think next year will be a much better experience, but you could see this year coming from well over a mile away.

# 20 jyoung @ 02/24/14 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTF


	you all are putting good use of my Bongo the Buck and "Giannis" picture.

At least Giannis has the correct skin tone:

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