The latest incarnation of NBA Live has a whole slew of new features, like Freestyle Control, which lets you use the right analog stick to express your game with the step-back move, triple-threat moves, pass interceptions, and more. There are significant changes to the rebounding logic so players react in a more realistic manner to missed shots. Over 30 new rebounding animations allow for a wider variety of pulls off the glass. Motion capture was performed with two to four athletes simultaneously and is used for specific contact situations like post moves, pick-and-roll plays, and drawing the charge. Enhanced CPU logic and AI allow for more effective fast breaks, with open players cutting to the hoop for scoring opportunities, and the fine-tuned turbo buttons afford players a wider array of in-game strategies. There are also enhanced dribbling and player movements, player-specific signature moves, and more responsive shot blocking. In addition, real NBA coaches roam the sidelines, and there is dramatic camera coverage of in-game and out-of-play sequences. You will hear what it's like to be on the court with all-new player calls, as well as court and arena sound effects. Classic jerseys give gamers a chance to relive their teams' glory days in authentic gear.

Average Customer Review: ( 113 customer reviews )
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Ok, let's get to the negative stuff first. '01 and '02 version was downright disappointing and I was actually going to bail for NBA 2K3. The Live franchise graphics have always been first rate but the play and feel of the actual game was horrible. I never understood how EAS could have a killer game like their NHL franchise and not duplicate it with the NBA version.

Well, I think EAS has finally woken up. Just about everything in Live '03 is jaw dropping! From the game speed to realistic player movements to block shots to fast breaks...everything is a huge improvement and there are many new additions.

Here are the awesome new features -
1) Freestyle play - this new AI play let's you experience actual players movements. Forget the old cross-over, backing down defenders from the prior versions. Freestyle adds new movements that are mind-boggling...killer crossover from both sides, stutter steps, ball cradle, etc. And when you back down the defender - you actually feel them pushing you and hear the grunts from the players.
2) Game speed - Actual game speed of the NBA. No more prodding down the court. There's a new fast break mode and you can run the ball down your opponents' throat. Word of caution - watch out for NJ - J Kidd will run you ragged.
3) Blocks - very cool. You can block balls all over the court and out of bounds....cool graphics.
4) Rebounding - This was always the most annoying part of the prior versions. Now, you won't have to put up with the opposing teams grabbing every rebound until they make a 3 pt shot at the end of the game. Offensive and defensive rebounds are more realistic.
5) New action cut sequences - new shots of coaches, bench players' reaction to the game, and very cool reaction of coaches and players during the game final seconds.

Overall, an incredible improvement over '02 version. You will play this game and realize that EAS didn't just improve some functions but actually revamp the entire franchise. If you have any doubts, rent the game first but believe me, you will be blown away!

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

Off the ChainOct 26, 2002
By Virginia Balla
After 4 years of continuous let downs NBA Live has finally regain it's title as the King of Hoops. I have played 2K3 and Live so i can give you an honest opinion about the game. First of all the graphics are second to none. 99% of the players look like their real life counterparts. The throwback jerseys and the signature shoes are a must for any true hoops fan. The stadium details are off the chain. Now as far as gameplay goes the use of the analog stick is revolutionary. It's not as hard as some old schoolers might think. After two games I was runnin and gunnin. The crossovers and freestyle moves put this game over the top. I have not even began thinking about starting a franchise yet which will only enhance the already high replay value of this game. Last year Sega had B-Ball locked down with 2K2 but EA went back to the drawing boards and came correct this year. This is the Best B-ball game since Coach K on Sega Genesis. Any true B-ball gamers will appreciate the effort that EA has put out this year. 2K3 is not a bad game but NBA Live 2003 is the choice this year.

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:

The best Live everOct 15, 2002
By a fan
NBA Live 2003 is the best Live ever. With classic jerseys and the freestyle option (you run through the whole game using the analog sticks), this is surely fun for a loooong time. First off the graphics are great and EA is more accurate than ever. Allen Iverson comes equipped with his lightning-quick crossover and his arm band. Michael Jordan comes with the fadaway J. Kobe and T-Mac rip with authority, and over anybody who gets in their way. The continuous pace makes this action-packed. On offense you can run the classic pick and roll or isolate your go-to-guy and let him embarass his defender. On D you can set it up with the zone or keep it tight with the full-court press. The stadiums are beautifully produced. This game just has everything you could ask in a simulation. Even the coaches creep along the sidelines, dressed in tacky suits and keeping everything under control. You can throw the ally-oop and dish the no-look. The bottom line is that you won't put this game down for a long time to come. Period.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

Role ReversalOct 16, 2002
By Blue
For the first time in years, EA Sports has Sega Sports on its heels with the release of the much improved NBA Live 2003. In every phase of the game, Live has finally shown what it can do with the engine of a PS2 or an XBOX and 2K3 didn't even come close to matching the intensity of this game (I know...I got them both 'cuz I don't trust other people's reviews of basketball games). People talking about this isn't a real sim don't know what a real sim is. It has some of the most realistic gameplay in any game right now. You think the players can't do the same moves they have in the game. Someone wasn't paying attention for the past 20 years. I thought NBA 2K3 was going to be the Live of the new millenium, but Live took notes and blew them out of the water this year to claim king of the hill honors. But like LL Cool J said, "don't call it a comeback," call it a welcome back.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

5 on 5 NBA JamJun 19, 2003
By Enlightened "Both Eyes Closed, see what u don't hear what u can't"
Actually this was a good fun game and I play it almost everyday, but the cons of the game bring it down so much that it makes you not want to play it. I'll break it down for you.

Pros: Animations are good
· Defensive rebounds finally are believable and the offense doesn't just grab offensive boards whenever they want to.
· Players look a lot better even though the other franchise still has a leg up on it
· Free Throws are realistic...on difficult settings Bruce Bowen won't hit a thing
· Freestyle mode- gives you the freedom of the court with your point guard
· You can get in the passing lanes and steal balls sometimes
· ON superstar...the ends of games are great...they are nearly all close games.
. Playing with friends is extremely fun

Cons
· Defense is horrendous. You got Stromile Swift just torching Tim Duncan. Wally Szcerbiak averages like 40 points per game. That just doesn't happen

· Which brings me to my next point...Unbelievable three point shots. Jason Kidd, who can't shoot worth a flip, just constantly walks up when your in a set defense and your point guard is right in his face and drains threes constantly with no trouble at all. That's not just J. Kidd though. Derek Fisher, steve Nash and Tony Delk can all do the same thing no matter if you double team them or play good defense. Drain city. Even Rasheed Wallace was torching me from behind the arc. Even when they get tired they are 65% from the field.

· While the computer players are busy lighting up the scoreboard, when you finally do get an open three, with Steve Kerr, he starts building houses. Unrealistic. But Kerry Kittles is killing you with fadeaway in the corner threes with a double team on him and the shot clock running down. And that's not the worst of your offensive troubles...

· So the outside shot isn't working. Ok lets throw it to the big man in the paint. Well just so happens that the player standing directly behind your player magically swipes at the ball through your player and steals it when you are holding it tight with two hands at the chest. WTF?

· As soon as you start into your post move the double team comes and 8 times outta ten they steal the ball and are off to a dunk.
· Teams don't average 20 steals a game
· While your constantly turning the ball over the computer has a tight grip on the ball. If you swipe at the ball it's a foul...resulting in your point guards with 3 fouls at the end of first quarter. Also the computer magically passes the ball through the defender for an easy layup or dunk.

· Freestyle control is good but it seems like every time the computer isolates they get by your guy in one move and they are off to dunking again. When you isolate, the computer usually is impossible to get by, sometimes even forcing you out of bounds for yet another turnover. The only way I've found to penetrate was to pump fake 5 times until the computer jumps and then go around them...

· Once you get around them they have uncanny recovery speed. So often times you don't get all the way to the basket like they do...no you have to pull up for a short jumper that more often than not gets blocked...

· Speaking of blocks when you block a ball it goes all the way to the other end of the court unrealistically and the computer almost always gets the ball back resulting in another fadeaway three pointer at the end of the shot clock.

· And another thing...if you don't personally block the shot...the computer players won't even attempt to. Yes that's right Eric Snow can just waltz in to the paint look David Robinson or Mutombo straight in the eye and make a short jumper and they don't even try to block it...they just stand there like idiots.

· Getting back is nearly impossible...people that aren't even fast break players are out on the break like Rick Fox or Steve Smith or Lamar Odom. Getting back for you is impossible? Well the computer gets back just fine and stops all (exaggeration) fast breaks.

· Some players play outside of their game. When you play the Lakers expect 100% shooting from the floor. Kobe doesn't miss, Shaq doesn't miss (understandable), Derek Fisher constantly drains threes when he's covered, Rick Fox posterizes your defense when he can't even jump any more, Devean George hits threes while guarded (yeah Right), after they get tired their backups come in and score 25 points ( not Shaw, Medvedenko and others...I'm talking bout the no name guys that never get in who you've never even heard of) Every team is like that. And they will sometimes score more than Shaq. Unrealistic.
· Teams shoot in the range of 70-80%. What the hell?
· Out of bounds plays are horrendous. 9 out of ten times your point guard doesn't come to the ball and you can NEVER see any of your players. You should know what this results in...5 second violation or a steal and easy dunk.

· Your players miss easy lay ups and dunks during crucial moments of the game. One time I had Tim Duncan miss THREE dunks in the final two minutes of the game! WTF?!?!?
· Sometimes players will stand out of bounds like idiots when you pass them the ball resulting in yet another turnover.
· Key Players that play the entire game be dead tired after only one quarter of play. And when you take them out your backups are completely useless (most of the time).

· Your team is last in nearly every statistic except for Turnovers and Turnovers Per Game.
· When you win the championship in Franchise mode you're supposed to be the best team right? Not so...your best player will refuse to sign with you for no reason. And every other good player also will refuse to sign with you. And if you do happen to find someone to sign you probably won't have enough cap room to sign them making Franchise mode almost useless.

As you can see the game has so many flaws in it, but even with all those flaws, the game is beatable. (I'm an expert player). If you like basketball I would recommend it.

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