NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

[Jonesy]

Quote: Originally Posted by luv_mist

What are the Tall Blacks??

That is the name of the New Zealand basketball team. Their rugby side is called the "all blacks" (As in all black jersey's etc) so the tall blacks is a play on that.

The best possible thing for the live franchise is to get those guys that actually seem to know and love the sport of basketball like Mike W working on this. I think their problem in the past is that they have talented computer programers working on it who probably haven't played a game of bball in their lives. It's the only way i can explain why the last few editions have looked beautiful but played nothing like real basketball.

[luv_mist]

I just want to know why they went away from the Freestyle control and crippled the dribbling system instead of improving on the freestyle to a level comparable to 2k's dribbling system? That is one of the biggest questions I've had since they moved it.

[23]

They feel the quickstrike is a progression of freestyle. I disagree, but thats just MO

[wco81]

I haven't played hoops games much recently because they were poorer compared to NHL and NFL games.

In particular, I hated the force field which was used in pretty much all hoops games.

Only way you got away from the force field was with "ankle-breaker" moves, especially in something like NBA Street where you had no control when the defender you were controlling just fell down.

Similarly, trying to defend some dunks/layups in the paint, they'd just make your defender fall on his butt sometimes.

It's too bad this is the only way to get away from the force field. In the NBA, best players don't need to make defenders break their ankles. Just need to have them lean the wrong way or be unprepared when they make their move to the hole. So the whole idea of ankle-breakers is ridiculous. Sure they happen in real life but shouldn't be the only way you separate from the defender.

The LDD seems to be another feature in this same vein. You activate certain animations but you really don't have control over the outcome.

No hoops games has captured the fundamental interaction between ball-handler and defender. People complain about how OL/DL interaction or how WR/CB release at the snap of the ball is still not done correctly in Madden but those representations are still way better than offensive player/defender in hoops games.

Only hopeful thing in the preview is the promise of news about something connected with OTP.

[23]

What is OTP

[wco81]

Quote: Originally Posted by KDRE_OS

What is OTP

Online Team Play.

Up to 5 vs. 5 online, each from their own console.

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by wco81

So the whole idea of ankle-breakers is ridiculous. Sure they happen in real life but shouldn't be the only way you separate from the defender.

Don't buy into the name as that's mostly for marketing to the public; It looks to be just a way of separating yourself from the defender in the same way you're asking.

[Mhancock]

I don't see a downside to the improvements to be honest. I took two years off of NBA live until 08 and I was impressed with what I took from it. This years should be better with the improved animations and the FIBA 24 team expansions. Too bad we still can't import draft classed from March Madness.