News Post

Why I'm Done With NBA Basketball This Year: NBA Live 09

12:59 PM - March 24, 2009 by RaychelSnr

For some die-hard basketball fans, choosing between NBA Live and NBA 2K this year was like going to a used-car lot and trying to decide if you wanted a refurbished Pinto or a beat-up Camry.

On the one hand, there is the familiar 2K engine, which has problems that have been compounded over the years because its owners have spent all their money adding frivolous features like a sleek spoiler, custom wheels and a lavish paint job, all while refusing to take the car in for the necessary maintenance on the parts that really matter: the engine, the brakes and the transmission, etc.

In the lot across the street sits an ugly looking Ford Pinto, with a rusting exterior, a broken passenger-side door handle and a non-functional air-conditioning unit. But since it just had its engine and transmission replaced, the Pinto runs well, and unlike the souped-up Camry, it will not leave you kicking it in its chrome-plated tires as it is lying dead on the side of the road with a pile of smoke rising from its engine -- though it may still explode if hit in the wrong spot.

Such is the state of this year�s basketball games: One is in dire need of an interior makeover (2K), while the other (Live) might be all right to use in a pinch but still needs a lot of exterior work before it is ready to become an "every day" type of car.

So, here are the key areas that the Live developers need to work on in the offseason if they want their game to earn a spot in the starting five of the 2010 lineup of sports games.

Read More - Why I'm Done With NBA Basketball This Year: NBA Live 09

Game: NBA Live 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Xbox 360Votes for game: 38 - View All

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Member Comments

# 41 stephensonmc @ 03/28/09 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokez4DAyz


	don't like Live 09 at all, and I played enough of it, to firmly say, it does nothing right, maybe introductions, and the crowd. Fundamentals are in 2k9, easy. Live is just not good. Live 10 should decent, finally, but that only means that 2K is still gonna be on top, because the same time they are using to make their buggy game work, 2K is perfecting its craft. I'd never talk about LIVE in the same conversation with NBA 2K9, its not an even match. LIVE still uses code from the genesis days. Come On, get to work.

Say what you want about NBA LIVE, but the genesis comment is just ridiculous and 100% not true...

# 42 thmst30 @ 03/28/09 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokez4DAyz


	don't like Live 09 at all, and I played enough of it, to firmly say, it does nothing right, maybe introductions, and the crowd. Fundamentals are in 2k9, easy. Live is just not good. Live 10 should decent, finally, but that only means that 2K is still gonna be on top, because the same time they are using to make their buggy game work, 2K is perfecting its craft. I'd never talk about LIVE in the same conversation with NBA 2K9, its not an even match. LIVE still uses code from the genesis days. Come On, get to work.

That post was so backwards. Actually the crowd in 2K9 is miles better, but the fundamentals are about 50/50. Both games do some things good and some things bad. Also, this game has been buggy for quite a while and I have even hated on it the past few years, but Live 10 can be great if they accomplish what they say they are working on. I'm looking forward to it. I still currently like the 2K series a little more, but if you look at the progress the last few years it's obvious that Live is progressing faster than 2K these days.

# 43 kwas676 @ 03/28/09 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thmst30


	That post was so backwards. Actually the crowd in 2K9 is miles better, but the fundamentals are about 50/50. Both games do some things good and some things bad. Also, this game has been buggy for quite a while and I have even hated on it the past few years, but Live 10 can be great if they accomplish what they say they are working on. I'm looking forward to it. I still currently like the 2K series a little more, but if you look at the progress the last few years it's obvious that Live is progressing faster than 2K these days.

Now that's how you keep it real not some ridiculous it still plays like genesis

# 44 chrome381 @ 03/28/09 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thmst30


	That post was so backwards. Actually the crowd in 2K9 is miles better, but the fundamentals are about 50/50. Both games do some things good and some things bad. Also, this game has been buggy for quite a while and I have even hated on it the past few years, but Live 10 can be great if they accomplish what they say they are working on. I'm looking forward to it. I still currently like the 2K series a little more, but if you look at the progress the last few years it's obvious that Live is progressing faster than 2K these days.

I agree with you 100% im a 2k guy but im a fan of the sport and the game's first and foremost, and with the things these live devs are doing this year i will not be soo quick to count out live 10 and spend my 60 bucks on another 2k game like i normally would.

To be perfectly honest i really wish live can fix the animations player faces,body proportions, rebounding, net animation and ball physics for next year because honestly once they fix those issues live will be a better game simply because live has way less internal issues to deal with than 2k, i mean the clipping issue's,teleporting, invincible animations, poor ai etc... just soo many other issues with 2k that need to be cleared up if they want to keep their title as the best b-ball sim on the market and if these live devs are really working on what they say their working on then i might be spending my $60 on a b-ball sim thats not made by 2k sports.

# 45 Da_Czar @ 03/28/09 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behindshadows


	I have tons of offensive rebounding, just not an many as I should so I don't really see that as an issue. Secondly the so called analog passing. I wouldn't know I use icon passing all the time. I never use analog passing that feature has been broken in Live and 2k's games for years. Especially on a fastbreak when some how they just make sure you pass it to the wrong person to prevent the score. Either way nothing is so broke in this game that makes it unplayable. And the offensive rebounding isn't broken, people just feel like they aren't getting enough of them compared to the cpu which in honesty they aren't getting many either. And the animations in this game don't make it unplayable, the animations that are there are fine and the game plays good. Maybe it doesn't run as smooth as super fast skating across the court 2k but what is here is very solid and well pace basketball.

shadows the rebounding is broken there is no covering that up bro also the locomotion is bad man real bad. this game has a lot going for it but to overlook what is bad in the name of uplifting the series helps no one. The animations and bad locomotion bad passing. Horrible rim physics, suction defense and scrawny player models in addition to the severly limited animations all together after playing for a few months can make this game unplayable. not that it is a bad game. if you want to like it there is certainly enough there to do that but there just isn't enough there currently to make the game as good as you seem to claim.

Remember I actually like live 09 for the potential it shows but that doesn't mean its great in its current state. I do think live 10 will be exceptional but a year away from genius.

# 46 Behindshadows @ 03/28/09 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Czar


	shadows the rebounding is broken there is no covering that up bro also the locomotion is bad man real bad. this game has a lot going for it but to overlook what is bad in the name of uplifting the series helps no one. The animations and bad locomotion bad passing. Horrible rim physics, suction defense and scrawny player models in addition to the severly limited animations all together after playing for a few months can make this game unplayable. not that it is a bad game. if you want to like it there is certainly enough there to do that but there just isn't enough there currently to make the game as good as you seem to claim. Remember I actually like live 09 for the potential it shows but that doesn't mean its great in its current state. I do think live 10 will be exceptional but a year away from genius.

I'm not overlooking it, I know the rebounding is an issue I've thrown my controller so many times on points where the CPU just stands there and watch while the other team comes out of no where and gets my ball. The passing in traffic is frustrating I will admit as well. But my points were to counter others post as to saying this game is trash and unplayable because of these things.

There is no way to fix the passing issue other than to use icon passing, and L4D's sliders did help the rebounding a lot it didn't perfect it, but it helped. Again my statements were that the game is very playable and very enjoyable. And it's a good game of basketball and sometimes a great game in my opinion.

But if a lot of these areas are fixed in Live 10 it can be an amazing game, hopefully on the levels of what The Show brings to baseball, Live 10 can bring that to basketball.

And yes even I've complained about the whole player model thing, so lets not go there.

# 47 chrome381 @ 03/28/09 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behindshadows


	I'm not overlooking it, I know the rebounding is an issue I've thrown my controller so many times on points where the CPU just stands there and watch while the other team comes out of no where and gets my ball. The passing in traffic is frustrating I will admit as well. But my points were to counter others post as to saying this game is trash and unplayable because of these things. There is no way to fix the passing issue other than to use icon passing, and L4D's sliders did help the rebounding a lot it didn't perfect it, but it helped. Again my statements were that the game is very playable and very enjoyable. And it's a good game of basketball and sometimes a great game in my opinion. But if a lot of these areas are fixed in Live 10 it can be an amazing game, hopefully on the levels of what The Show brings to baseball, Live 10 can bring that to basketball. And yes even I've complained about the whole player model thing, so lets not go there.

but shadow covering up issues wont help them get fixed, you saying the rebounding isn't a big issue isn't help at all i know there are people who bash this game or over exaggerate issues but their helping these devs better than you are with your attempt's to cover up obvious issues you feel me? not saying live is a terrible game but i like the Czar said this game has potential but its definitely not where it should be.

# 48 Behindshadows @ 03/28/09 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrome381


	but shadow covering up issues wont help them get fixed, you saying the rebounding isn't a big issue isn't help at all i know there are people who bash this game or over exaggerate issues but their helping these devs better than you are with your attempt's to cover up obvious issues you feel me? not saying live is a terrible game but i like the Czar said this game has potential but its definitely not where it should be.

stop trying to put words in my mouth. I clearly said that L4D's sliders helped Live 09. Never said it wasn't an issue, nor did I say it didn't need to be fixed. I said it helped but didn't make things perfect. Clear as day, so stop trying to make it seem like I'm overlooking the whole damn thing. I said it doesn't make the game unplayable, and it doesn't. People are dogging the hell out of this game like its just out right terrible and just unplayable. Live 07 was unplayable, Live 06 was unplayable, Live 08 was unbareable, with Playmakers edits and sliders it was playable. Live 09 has flaws but even on default settings it plays good basketball, with L4D's sliders it plays even better.

But fact is, rebounding, no backboard shot usage, animations and pass lane issues do plague the game. Does it mean these things hurt 09 to where it was just a waste of money. No! But I never said they weren't issues, nor did I say they didn't need to be fixed.

So maybe CZAR misunderstood me, and you are just writing whatever you think I meant, but not what I said!

Have a great day!

# 49 chrome381 @ 03/28/09 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behindshadows


	stop trying to put words in my mouth. I clearly said that L4D's sliders helped Live 09. Never said it wasn't an issue, nor did I say it didn't need to be fixed. I said it helped but didn't make things perfect. Clear as day, so stop trying to make it seem like I'm overlooking the whole damn thing. I said it doesn't make the game unplayable, and it doesn't. People are dogging the hell out of this game like its just out right terrible and just unplayable. Live 07 was unplayable, Live 06 was unplayable, Live 08 was unbareable, with Playmakers edits and sliders it was playable. Live 09 has flaws but even on default settings it plays good basketball, with L4D's sliders it plays even better. But fact is, rebounding, no backboard shot usage, animations and pass lane issues do plague the game. Does it mean these things hurt 09 to where it was just a waste of money. No! But I never said they weren't issues, nor did I say they didn't need to be fixed. So maybe CZAR misunderstood me, and you are just writing whatever you think I meant, but not what I said! Have a great day!

lol calm down kid no one is attacking you lol

# 50 Behindshadows @ 03/28/09 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrome381


	lol calm down kid no one is attacking you lol

Kid, I'm a grown man, that is why I don't like giving my opinion in here because of all the childish comebacks.

But I'm 32 and far from a kid! I just can't stand when someone comes in this thread and over use the term unplayable! Just to try to trash on this company!

Even though I did it back in the PS2 and Xbox days

don't tell nobody lol!

But now when this game has been the best it has ever been, people still trash down on it and try to find reason to mention the competition game being so much better, etc.

But I'm not lashing out at you, I'm just angry over this whole subject and for people not reading properly and understanding what I've been saying.

# 51 guru8 @ 03/28/09 10:27 PM

Where are L4D's sliders at anyway??

# 52 Behindshadows @ 03/29/09 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guru8


	Where are L4D's sliders at anyway??

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...iders-ps3.html

# 53 Da_Czar @ 03/29/09 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behindshadows


	I'm not overlooking it, I know the rebounding is an issue I've thrown my controller so many times on points where the CPU just stands there and watch while the other team comes out of no where and gets my ball. The passing in traffic is frustrating I will admit as well. But my points were to counter others post as to saying this game is trash and unplayable because of these things.

Ahhh got you man.... Now that sounds resonable.

One of the things that has me excited is that they said in that interview they had beluba on an "incubation"(sp) team. Hopefully that also involved getting him familiar with all the in engines they have in house (fifa ,madden, etc) and how he can leverage that technology. In addition by the time they had their meetings on live 10 I bet B already had a clear vision for what could be accomplished this year with gameplay.

That plus the fact that they are sharing the engine with the ncaa basketball crew means we can expect a much more mature engine in 2010 because it has been worked on practically year around. Add all that on top of dna and the outstanding playbooks and it should be impossible for them to not make this the best live in the series... not to mention the procedural awareness and the crap load of animations
stephensonmc hinted why would worry about lack of animations with B on board and I have got my popcorn and 6 pack and a leave slip all ready 4 2010...LOL

# 54 bowdown2shadi @ 03/29/09 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrome381


	lol calm down kid no one is attacking you lol

Thats funny, go visit his arena...

# 55 SageInfinite @ 03/29/09 02:37 PM

I just hope they copy NBA 2k9's presentation.

# 56 SageInfinite @ 03/29/09 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Czar


	Ahhh got you man.... Now that sounds resonable. One of the things that has me excited is that they said in that interview they had beluba on an "incubation"(sp) team. Hopefully that also involved getting him familiar with all the in engines they have in house (fifa ,madden, etc) and how he can leverage that technology. In addition by the time they had their meetings on live 10 I bet B already had a clear vision for what could be accomplished this year with gameplay. That plus the fact that they are sharing the engine with the ncaa basketball crew means we can expect a much more mature engine in 2010 because it has been worked on practically year around. Add all that on top of dna and the outstanding playbooks and it should be impossible for them to not make this the best live in the series... not to mention the procedural awareness and the crap load of animations stephensonmc hinted why would worry about lack of animations with B on board and I have got my popcorn and 6 pack and a leave slip all ready 4 2010...LOL

Posts like this from guys like this are the reason I can't wait to see what Live has to offer.

# 57 yankeesgiants @ 03/29/09 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageInfinite


	Posts like this from guys like this are the reason I can't wait to see what Live has to offer.

I totally agree with you. I only brought Live this year on the 360 because somebody misspelled it on ebay and I brought it new for 27 bucks in November. Glad I did because it is a good game. It's not perfect but what game is. The NBA Live Team laid a good foundation this year and I only see it getting better next year.

# 58 The 24th Letter @ 03/29/09 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Czar


	shadows the rebounding is broken there is no covering that up bro also the locomotion is bad man real bad. this game has a lot going for it but to overlook what is bad in the name of uplifting the series helps no one. The animations and bad locomotion bad passing. Horrible rim physics, suction defense and scrawny player models in addition to the severly limited animations all together after playing for a few months can make this game unplayable. not that it is a bad game. if you want to like it there is certainly enough there to do that but there just isn't enough there currently to make the game as good as you seem to claim. Remember I actually like live 09 for the potential it shows but that doesn't mean its great in its current state. I do think live 10 will be exceptional but a year away from genius.

Good Post.
Me personally, I cant play this game, I just cant take it....but you have got to love the potential.

# 59 sportyguyfl31 @ 03/30/09 12:04 PM

For me, the key is where does EA take this series from where it is at, to go foreward?

I really believe that the two series, Live and NBA 2k are at major turning points.

At the begining of next gen, EA decided to basically go the slash and burn approach to rebuilding this game, and paid a savage price for it. They lost many of the people who have been playing EA Basketball since Lakers Vs. Celtics.

I turned to 2k in 05.

The 2k engine is aging. It cant keep up with the flash and dash...that they are adding to the game. Yes, it looks beautiful, and there are animations a-plenty..but the game engine cannot handle them.

Ea seems to be building...and they actually seem more concerned with getting the meat and potatoes of the game correct...while 2k seems to be getting away from the very things that attracted me to it in the 1st place.

It's like the 2 brands are swapping identities.

I always knew that the Basketball in Live was more free wheeling, and I was willing to accept that, because EA never gave me a reason to believe that they were trying to be Sim.

If (And this always a very big if when we are talking about EA) Live continues to focus on representing the NBA game well, as opposed to the "Boo-Yah!" moments..this game is going to be great...really soon.

# 60 Iadf @ 03/30/09 08:10 PM

nba 2k9 is my favourite basketball game period. im surprised at all the dislike on it. it just looks and feels so real(so many animations). i wont play live until it gets a unanimous vote as the better game. until then ill take my chances with 2k for the future since i haven't been disappointed in the last two games from them. good write up

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