NBA Live has pretty much sucked ass for 3 years, but after playing both demo, I have to say I think Live 08 is a huge improvement. It has more of a classic throwback NBA Live style that made the game great to begin with.

That said, I can understand people who have been so turned off by EA's recent work that they won't give NBA Live 08 a chance, and will go with 2K, admittedly the reigning champ 3 years running.

I think that reign ends in 2008. NBA Live is back to being about the gameplay again, and that's a good thing.

it would be interesting to get some kind of WTF league going, but the basketball game choices will probably be split so much thatll be impossible.

2K8 BABY.

How can you tell anything about Live from the demo? The demo was garbage. I'll play 2k8 until I get bored of it.

How can you tell anything about Live from the demo? The demo was garbage.

Then you didn't play the demo very much.

-the players around you react much better to different situations. If you get double-teamed, your man immediately cuts to an open spot on the floor where he can make a shot.

-it's possible to play good honest defense and be successful, which is something you could never say about 2K

-players run the best fast breaks I've ever seen. The spacing is excellent, and there's always a trailer in the middle.

As far as realistic gameplay goes, Live 08's demo was fantastic.

while 2K8 has spectacular graphics, the fact it's next to impossible to defend anything in that game without gambling for steals and blocked shots is silly. You can't even put a hand in someone's face, it's either block a shot or nothing.

TIm Duncan's jump hook looks sweet, but it looks less sweet when you're swishing it 20 feet away from the hoop because they didn't put any limits on it.

If you just compare the games after 2 minutes, 2K8 looks better. but the more I play them both, Live 08 feels more like a real basketball game to me. 2K8 is still a good game, but like last year I saw some very exploitable flaws that's going to result non-sop shootouts like 2K7 developed into once people realized playing defense was next to impossible.

One thing I wish NBA games would do is define player's range a little better. Most games I've played have shooting ratings for inside (or 2P) and outside (3P), but that is about it. So you have the same rating for a 5 foot hook shot as a 20 foot jumper. We all know those are entirely different skill sets. I wish they'd have a rating for the post and mid range jumper separate.

One thing I wish NBA games would do is define player's range a little better. Most games I've played have shooting ratings for inside (or 2P) and outside (3P), but that is about it. So you have the same rating for a 5 foot hook shot as a 20 foot jumper. We all know those are entirely different skill sets. I wish they'd have a rating for the post and mid range jumper separate.


Live 08 has hot spots in every player's rating.

ie, Bowen and Rip will be lights out from the corners, but at the top of the arc they'll be below average. Meanwhile the opposite will be true for Gilbert Arenas.

every player will have a different accuracy rating from different spots on the floor.

Then you didn't play the demo very much.

-the players around you react much better to different situations. If you get double-teamed, your man immediately cuts to an open spot on the floor where he can make a shot.

-it's possible to play good honest defense and be successful, which is something you could never say about 2K

-players run the best fast breaks I've ever seen. The spacing is excellent, and there's always a trailer in the middle.

As far as realistic gameplay goes, Live 08's demo was fantastic.

while 2K8 has spectacular graphics, the fact it's next to impossible to defend anything in that game without gambling for steals and blocked shots is silly. You can't even put a hand in someone's face, it's either block a shot or nothing.

TIm Duncan's jump hook looks sweet, but it looks less sweet when you're swishing it 20 feet away from the hoop because they didn't put any limits on it.

If you just compare the games after 2 minutes, 2K8 looks better. but the more I play them both, Live 08 feels more like a real basketball game to me. 2K8 is still a good game, but like last year I saw some very exploitable flaws that's going to result non-sop shootouts like 2K7 developed into once people realized playing defense was next to impossible.

We are talking about the Live 08 demo for 360? It took me straight to a practice mode where you run around shooting and dunking with Gilbert Arenas.

We are talking about the Live 08 demo for 360? It took me straight to a practice mode where you run around shooting and dunking with Gilbert Arenas.

...you realize you play actual the game by pressing the start button...right?

you get two 2-minutes quarters with San Antonio, Cleveland, france or spain.

...you realize you play actual the game by pressing the start button...right?

you get two 2-minutes quarters with San Antonio, Cleveland, france or spain.

Uh, no. I didn't know it started in the gym, I thought that was the only part of the demo, so I quit and deleted it. LOL @ me.

I'll D/L it again and give it a try.

My copy of Live arrived yesterday morning. The game is decent, but it's not to the NBA 2K8 standards. Yes, it is now playable and it is improved, but there's still some issues with the game.

Rebounding needs work. guys just stand there and let the ball hit the ground before picking it up.

There needs to be more animations added, including animations for the ball around the rim and what not.

The inside game is dominant. I've already have huge games with McDyess in the paint as well as Brezec when I was playing online today against the Bulls. Ben was not a rebound machine, that's for sure.

EA Locker is back in the game, though.


I don't know, I think it will be a nice change of pace since NBA 2K* has been essentially unchanged for the last 3 or so years, but NBA 2K is way deeper and I think the graphics are better. The arena's are just too dark in NBA Live.

WB Bang, if you see Muhme over at SI tell him I met his cousin Kathryn at a job fair and she was very nice.

WB Bang, if you see Muhme over at SI tell him I met his cousin Kathryn at a job fair and she was very nice.

How did that come up in conversation?

Fool: Hey, are you related to "TheMuhmeShow?"

Kathryn: (thinks to herself, "fuck!") Um, yeah.

Job fair holmes. She handed me her resume. "Muhme" isn't exactly common.

Did you tell her that you guys post on the same message board?

Also, would you hit it?

Live 08 looks absolutely gorgeous. They even have Maxiell's signature one-handed gorilla dunk where he collects himself really low and goes straight up...

Really happy with NBA Live for the first time in years. Thumbs up.

No.

and no

Rodney Stuckey is SWEET.

24 points, 7 assists in my first online win vs a top-ranked opponent. He goes to the hole like a beast.

Can't dunk, but consistently splits the lane. Love it.

They totally nailed all of the Pistons players' moves, even the rookies.

Chauncey has his post jumper, Sheed has his high-arc post fade, Tay has his signature baby hook, Maxiell has his one-handed power dunk, Stuckey has his quick release and ability to create contact at the rim and score.

I wonder if Langlois plays this game?

Nah. Amir Johnson is only rated a 58.

The quick strike ballhandling system is sweet. Iverson has all of his little dribble moves, and you can turn them into most of his real-life inside plays down the lane.

Nah. Amir Johnson is only rated a 58.

But how tall is he?

According to the game Amir is 6'9."

then the game is stuck in 2 years ago. He could be possibly 6ft 11in, but 6ft 10in still is my guess.

NBA.com still has him listed as 6'9" though. Where would the game get different numbers from?

I think he's taller than that, but you can't expect the game to research all that. They'd just use the numbers from the NBA's records.

I think he's taller than that, but you can't expect the game to research all that. .
They got free time. They can't put too much effort into these recycled games. I've lost all faith in basketball video games. bought live and 2k last year. took em both back within a couple weeks.

I saw a commercial for NBA2k8 and I was amazed by how it looked. I haven't bought a basketball video game since NBA 2k3 for the Dreamcast, so I'm not sure how they compare. But my jaw dropped when I saw the commercial. It seems much better than the Live commercials.

They got free time. They can't put too much effort into these recycled games. I've lost all faith in basketball video games. bought live and 2k last year. took em both back within a couple weeks.

But what are they going to do? Meet every player and measure them on their own?

He's listed as 6'9" on the Pistons site, so I am curious what you think would prompt them to investigate further.

You're taking it a lil' too seriously Chris. Damnit buzzkill.

He didn't look very big at the open practice.

Jason Maxiell is listed as the Pistons starting PF in NBA 2K8, but he plays like a pussy. 5 games and I have 1 dunk out of him and 15 layup attempts.