Absolutely true! I felt that was the same for 2K3.
I remember I had to go out of town for 2 weeks for work. When I got back, I fired up my Florida franchise and played a game against the Avalanche. I got owned 9-2 from my horrible defensive play, and not moving the puck well enough through the neutral zone.
Sakic and Forsberg destroyed me from all my turnovers and running around in my own end.
That can't be said for any of the Kush created 2K games. The CPU was basically non-existent.
Another, non-gameplay, feature I loved about 2K3 is the celebrations. The players would actually congregate together to celebrate.
I also loved how the CPU would push and shove you away from the goalie after he covered-up. None of that exists now.