I got to get ready to head to class but here's my first impression...
(Keep in mind I still don't have the controls down, I'm still used to 2k)
The bad first-
The game needs some polish, but I think that's to be expected when something has a major overhaul. Guys on D (at least my teammates) don't seem as..."enthusiastic" about sticking their guys as much as I do (even when you change settings in the lineup screen).
Loose Balls - It seems like when a guy gets the ball swiped from him, his whole team falls into a trance for about 1 second and gives the other team a headstart at trying to scramble for the ball. And I just saw a rebound fall 5 feet from Dwight Howard (he was the closest person to the ball) and he just stood there and looked at it...
Steals - There's TOO MUCH stealing going on under the hole. I should be able to dribble with derek fisher through big guys under the hole and not get ripped. I appreciate that you addressed this, but I think it was a little overdone.
Passing - I think the passing is a little weird at times - sometimes they deflect a ball that's almost out of their reach, and others the ball can go under a defender's armpit and still be successfully caught.
AI - I've seen on several occasions the AI just run stupid plays - Derek fisher just standing at the top of the 3pt line for the whole shot clock. Or if they have a path to the hole, but a big man is guarding it, they ALWAYS drive then do a shot where they adjust in midair once they get to the defender. Why not shoot a regular jumper or do a tear drop instead.
The Good-
Player Control - The player control is awesome. I just need to get used to this view so I can use it better. I'm still trying to learn the post up moves, but I've seen enough to know there's a decent amount there to work with.
Plays - The amount you give us to work with is insane, and the help indicators are a big plus.
Off Ball Movement - The team seems "alive" when you play, even if you dont' call anything. That's a major plus for me...
Speed/Locomotion - Never have I seen in this generation Basketball game player speed so well done. If the slightest lane opens up for #24, it's 0-60 in .8 seconds for Mr. Bryant.
Presentation - Speaks for itself.
A few issues -
1) Using the right stick in triple threat, nobody does the protect the ball move
2) With certain players (like D Wade), when I'm trying to do a Momentum jumper, they instead do this carry-fake crossover, then shoot. I know different players have different moves but that's nowhere near what I'm trying to do.
3) Is it possible to make the right stick relative to the camera angle?