NBA Live 09 Demo Thoughts
by 
While I’m going to save a more detailed comparison of the build that was played at the community event for the final version of the game, I wanted to get up some random things I noted from playing the NBA Live 09 demo. You can check out the videos that I recorded here and more impressions of the demo from Andrew over at NLSC. Other than wishing that the NBA Academy had been included in some fashion the demo does provide a good representation of what to expect from the game.
- The passing seems to have improved at least slightly including the analog directional based passing. It still isn’t great as it frequently doesn’t recognize the player you are actually attempting to pass to. However it does seem to be a little more responsive the passes have a little more on them.
- The player momentum is still a little heavy. I noted back then how I would attempt to pull up for a jumper but it would carry me into a leaner. That doesn’t seem quite as evident from my time with the demo but I did recognize it would pull my player in a little deeper than I would anticipate. So running and pulling up for a three pointer would often end up with me taking off while on the line.
- I still really like the quick play calling though it seems like it will call the same play the majority of the time (as the Celtics it’s posting up Garnett). The normal play calling actually seemed like it was more natural to use now than before, I’m not sure if it was a button change to pull up the plays or what but it seems different to me.
- With a smaller sample size it is difficult to judge the rebounding but I thought it seemed a little more true in the demo. Players were a little more aggressive in going up for the ball.
- Even though we knew there was nothing going to be done about it, not having players able to dive for loose balls makes for awkward moments as it bounces out of bounds.
- On All-Star it seems as though the hook move in the post is overly easy to execute and overly effective compared to the other moves. This was the case in the earlier build as well.
- The CPU tended to make bad passes in the back court off of rebounds which gave me the ball back without really any effort required.
- Saw an inordinate number of turnaround threes put up by the CPU, some of which were good. I also made one in that fashion. Just doesn’t look natural.
- The responsiveness on defense is a concern. It seems like it takes a second after hitting the button for a player to go up for a block or a second after pushing up on the right stick to get their hands up.
- Had some instances where an opposing player would drive into the lane and no help would come, they’d just watch him go by and dunk.
- It is difficult to figure out the Pick and Roll Control timing wise. I think the NBA Academy will be really beneficial in many areas including this one.
- With all the improvements to the gameplay the Online Team Play should be excellent.
- I can’t wait for the Pastapadre OTP Club!
September 8, 2008 at 9:18 am
yes more B-BALL NEWS
if ur NOT 1st ur LAST
September 8, 2008 at 9:24 am
thx 4 da write sounds like da THROWN is safe LONg Live da KING
September 8, 2008 at 9:29 am
feels to me like this is the year live either catches up or surpasses 2k. the 365, nba academy, and otp will be great. on the other side 2k still hasnt even shown a gameplay video. that makes me nervous.
September 8, 2008 at 9:30 am
Seems kind of dissapointing with Live again.. i dont think they are ever going to get it right, gameplay wise, defensive awareness is very bad, passing is still not fluid, player movement is very arcade like, to easy to take it to the lane and dunk even with defenders just standing under the rim just watching, stealing the ball is very frusturating to me as pasta mentioned, if your a skilled NBA live player it should be very easy to take CPU’s ball, also kind of dissapointing that Paul Peirce’s shot looks nothing like his jumpshot in real life, kind of weird how i took Kobe to lane on every play to dunk on Superstar level.. i dont know just seems like to 2k9 is the way to go again until NBA live really turn things around cause they are leap years behind if they are competing in a simulation type of basketball game
September 8, 2008 at 9:32 am
2 Ne 1 dat cares great LOOKIN screen shots of 2k9 in da NEW PREVIEW, NEW SCREENSHOTS thread @ 2Ksports.com
JR i’m TALKIN 2 YOU I told YOU it WOULD LOOK GOOD
September 8, 2008 at 9:44 am
[quote comment="35443"]feels to me like this is the year live either catches up or surpasses 2k. the 365, nba academy, and otp will be great. on the other side 2k still hasnt even shown a gameplay video. that makes me nervous.[/quote]
You should be nervous. This is the same protocol they followed with MLB 2k8 and we all know what a disaster that game was, not to mention that NBA 2k7 was actually better than 2k8 so that is even more cause for concern.
Seems to me that 2k is trying too hard and it is reflecting in poor games over all. MLB 2k8 was an abomination, NBA 2k8 was lackluster at best when compared to 2k7 and NHL 2k8 was weak when compared to NHL 08 and NHL 2k9 is even worse while NHL 09 is hands down the sports game of the year again and I have no qualms in making that prediction this early.
September 8, 2008 at 9:46 am
[quote comment="35445"]2 Ne 1 dat cares great LOOKIN screen shots of 2k9 in da NEW PREVIEW, NEW SCREENSHOTS thread @ 2Ksports.com
JR i’m TALKIN 2 YOU I told YOU it WOULD LOOK GOOD[/quote]
Those r amazing!!
September 8, 2008 at 9:56 am
WTF 2K7 is NOT betta than 2K8 & i’m sorry 2 who I offend but hockey ISN’T a GOOD enuff/popular sport 2 be given game of da yr especially NOT dis wit both Live & 2K9 having 5 on 5 TP (I kno Live had it last yr & who won game of da yr last yr)
but dat was like nash 1st MVP he didn’t deserve it or his 2nd or dirk’s 1st but datz a diff issue
September 8, 2008 at 9:59 am
Hi pasta a little off topic here but were you invited to the ea sports ncaa college basketball community if so will you post some of the things on it thank you. Also the nba live demo was great if ea sports would only do what their doing for live for college basketball they’ll have a top seller.
September 8, 2008 at 10:05 am
Timothy, I do not know any other 2k games, but nba 2k9 will shine. You bet. Take a look at
http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_avances.php?pic=360&id=cw48c3eead61eb2&idj=cw48c3ee748db80&idp=&tipo=art&c=1&pos=0
It is INSANELY AMAZING. A classic: IF YOU DONT LIKE THIS, YOU DONT LIKE NBA BASKETBALL.
Look the detailed arms on the HD caps, with the veins and muscles under the skin, it feels like a NVidia techdemo. Brand new pregame warmup, and its NBA atmosphere. Gameplay was solid in 2k8, so 2k9 can only be better.
These pictures in motion shall feel like a REAL NBA BALLGAME AT ITS BEST!
PS: Sorry Padre about the OFFTOPIC.
September 8, 2008 at 10:05 am
sdot I don’t see them, last I see is for 8/26, post a link.
September 8, 2008 at 10:10 am
JR you BETTA NOT even TRY 2 HATE
September 8, 2008 at 10:19 am
[quote comment="35457"]Timothy, I do not know any other 2k games, but nba 2k9 will shine. You bet. Take a look at
http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_avances.php?pic=360&id=cw48c3eead61eb2&idj=cw48c3ee748db80&idp=&tipo=art&c=1&pos=0
It is INSANELY AMAZING. A classic: IF YOU DONT LIKE THIS, YOU DONT LIKE NBA BASKETBALL.
Look the detailed arms on the HD caps, with the veins and muscles under the skin, it feels like a NVidia techdemo. Brand new pregame warmup, and its NBA atmosphere. Gameplay was solid in 2k8, so 2k9 can only be better.
These pictures in motion shall feel like a REAL NBA BALLGAME AT ITS BEST!
PS: Sorry Padre about the OFFTOPIC.[/quote]
Damn dude I hate you for showing me these pics… now I cant stand waiting anymore… I NEED 2k9!!!!
September 8, 2008 at 10:24 am
I think I will be going with NBA 2K9, i hear people conplaining about MLB2K8 what was wrong with it, I havent noticed any issues can anyone please share?
September 8, 2008 at 10:26 am
I think You are right SDOT, 2k8 is better, than 2k7, but slightly, only the expectations were too high, and 2k could not deliver, plus they quit the 24/7 mode, which was fun. But I feel they wont fail this time. I am just thinking, if NBA Live will be a good game, rated 85-90, what about 2k9? Rated 115-120?
Forgive me being a fanboy of 2k after these pics.
September 8, 2008 at 10:30 am
Pasta, on the speed of the game…I think it’s perfect. I’m not crazy about it becoming twitchy, almost like NCAA/Madden. It feels very comfortable the way the players move. If they can up the aggressiveness a little, that’d be nice. I have seen some cases where players sort of watch things happen.
September 8, 2008 at 10:31 am
sdot is such a troll
September 8, 2008 at 10:35 am
see reign datz where we differ 1 I neva really played 24/7 mode but I can see why people liked it (Like my BROTHER)
but I look at da addition of SIG packages N 2K8 which led 2 ALL NEW DUNKS CROSS OVERS aimations compared 2 just SIG shots N 2k7 havin vendors/fans walkin round da stadium( which Live just started doin 2) improved playa faces COUPLE of EXCEPTIONS I think it wuz a Pretty significant STEP UP
BUT datz da PAST & 2K9 iz wit out a doubt da FUTURE
September 8, 2008 at 10:37 am
oh boy less than a month before release and there are finally 2k screenshots, from some foreign website and they dont even look that good. im supposed to get excited over that? show some gameplay videos or get the demo out and then we can talk about how it looks like the game is coming along. while live has its good points and down points at least they arent hiding the game from us.
September 8, 2008 at 10:39 am
@lil jose I didn’t tell you STOP tryin 2 B sum1 ur NOT
datz DEF NOT a GOOD LOOK
wut U tight dat I providin B-BALL fans wit B-BALL info STOP CRYIN E.A.D
September 8, 2008 at 10:45 am
NBA 2k9 will be the best basketball game to ever hit the market. if you think im wrong name another b-ball game better. And dont say NBA live(you’re an idiot if you think this) or NBA jam (best arcade basketball game ever bur nowhere near the 2k series.)
September 8, 2008 at 10:49 am
Aaron, 2k marketing is like that. They avoid the hype. I hate it too. But use your imagination. Imagine these 2k9 pics in motion, like 2k8 was. Imagine these pics as a slow-motion dunk replay. I hate 2k marketing…
September 8, 2008 at 10:50 am
My favorite is Nba Live 97… I am serious!
September 8, 2008 at 11:00 am
I still hav Live 98 but my fav Live is 05 when I 1st got home & we played our 1st DC & nobody could make a DUNK & then when we Finally figured out da timin & made 1 dat ISH was crazy
was dat also da same yr dey added da ability 2 jump ova sum1’s head If so cuz dat ISH was CRACk when I was on da break wit LBJ & only Nash was there 2 STOP me & well dat didn’t work out in his favor
September 8, 2008 at 11:46 am
STILL NO NBA LIVE 09 DEMO ON PSN
September 8, 2008 at 11:49 am
PSN updates every thurs
sum1 correct me if i’m WRONG
September 8, 2008 at 12:03 pm
For being a Live fanboy, Pasta recognizes the limits of this fading franchise known as Live (read in between the lines of his impressions, he was not impressed in the least bit!), yet has categorically avoided switching over to 2K for the sole reason of his OTP club. Pasta, now that 2K has OTP added as a feature, do you see your self getting a clue and switching your allegiance to 2K? WE DONT BELIEVE YOU EA, YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE! In fact its not even about believing the hype mongers anymore, as we have seen this pathetic demo and can now decide for ourselves, save for those who continue to drink the Live Kool-Aid.
September 8, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Pasta, what is the colors for the Pick’n'Roll meant for again? When I press A to pass to the picker it goes to the wing. If I try holding longer to have them release for a J and shorter to roll it still goes to others. I do like the demo a lot but some things still don’t feel “finished”…
…sdot, why was Nash and Dirk not deserving??? Cuz dey wuz wite???
September 8, 2008 at 12:20 pm
you know 2k has the basketball sports title when pasta puts up a live thread and everyone gets excited about 2k9 (while a few loyal EA fans try to defend it) lol… personally i could care less about seeing 2k9 in motion because we already know 2k9 is far more superior in motion than the competition (although live has improved)
September 8, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Damn no homo but in that pic Vince look so good id suck his daddy’s dick. again no homo.
September 8, 2008 at 12:49 pm
i dnt care how many times u say no homo THAT WUZZ SUPAHOMO. ima be so pissed if da demo dnt be out by thurs. dawg.
September 8, 2008 at 12:56 pm
its just a quote from a famous song and I said no homo TWICE. He looked ok in 2k8, but in 2k9, well i already said it. he look so good…
September 8, 2008 at 12:59 pm
@ root DOn’T make dis as me being a RACIST even though I believe RACE played apart N dem winning
da 1ST MVP dat went 2 NASH should’ve went 2 SHAQ he turned da heat from a Play OFF team 2 legit contenders & as SHAQ said “dey TAINTED da MVP award ” I mean J-KIDD been puttin up #s equivalent & even better than Nash 1st MVP Y didn’t he get it
da yr dirk won it I think is da same yr KOBE avg 34ppg it was either dat yr or Nash 2nd MVP CAN’T remember off TOP
who was da last playa 2 avg 34 ppg & NOT win da MVP
September 8, 2008 at 12:59 pm
[quote comment="35528"]its just a quote from a famous song and I said no homo TWICE. He looked ok in 2k8, but in 2k9, well i already said it. he look so good…[/quote]
lol that was kinda homo but i know the quote so ima let that slide… but yea if the game actually looks like that its gonna be 2k9 all day everyday for me.. who am i kidding even if its not its still gonna be 2k9 all day everyday
September 8, 2008 at 1:01 pm
yea DATZ dat H0M0 @$$ BIGGIE VERSE which is Y
I say Pac is da betta of da 2
September 8, 2008 at 1:16 pm
BIG was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more talented on the mic than Pac. Not even close. Unless you live in Cali I guess and don’t listen to Nas, Hova and the Wu.
September 8, 2008 at 1:25 pm
FAM i’m from FAR ROCK datz N QUEENS which is in NY I F__ wit nas bought da ___TAPES last month I mess wit GHOST FACE all dat I got is U is 1 of da REALEST songz but PAC got songz about every single subject there is & dey HOT
besides I CAN’T rock wit dat H0M0 ISH but if YOU can A….
got ur father hidin N da room
F’d wit a BROOM slit him down his back &
poured salt in his wound
advantage PAC
September 8, 2008 at 1:27 pm
lol 2k look the same as last year
September 8, 2008 at 1:30 pm
2K does this every year. This is nothing new. Unlike Live, 2K lets the game speak for itself. EA has to advirtise Live so much because they know that their game is inferior.
September 8, 2008 at 1:30 pm
IS THIS A GAMING SITE STILL ??????
September 8, 2008 at 1:31 pm
SAVE THE MUSIC FOR THOSE SITES WE ARE GAMERS IN HERE!!!!!
September 8, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Pasta, any help with how to use the P’n'Roll??? It never lets me pass it to my “picker” as easily and fluid as I’d like. Did you figure it out?
September 8, 2008 at 1:42 pm
[quote comment="35539"]BIG was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more talented on the mic than Pac. Not even close. Unless you live in Cali I guess and don’t listen to Nas, Hova and the Wu.[/quote]
LUPE More talented than all of them
September 8, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Vince did look mad good though. right?
September 8, 2008 at 2:25 pm
U GAAAAY. BUT ANYWAYZ 2K LOOKS EXACTLY DA SAME TO ME. IT LOOKS LIKE ALL THEY DID WUZZ ADD realistic lighting reflections on tha court. dont get me wrong tho, it still look good. Im lovin live and WAITING SO IMPATIENTLY FOR A DAMN DEMO WTF.excuse mah french.
September 8, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Damn I can’t even understand what sdot is saying half the time. Is that English?
September 8, 2008 at 2:42 pm
@BUSTY datz a GAY name but Y
U gotta go bringin me N2 dis huh…
cantwait4live is don’t U kno YOU can be SHOT 4 REACHIN like dat LOL
like at dat pic of KIDD in da game datz SPOT on den go 2GSPOT & compare VC from 2K9 to him N 2K8 (dey hav a good pic from sum1 playin da DC U can use )
& den come back & edit ur POST
September 8, 2008 at 2:49 pm
[quote comment="35522"]Damn no homo but in that pic Vince look so good id suck his daddy’s dick. again no homo.[/quote]
Yo that was mad homo dude!
September 8, 2008 at 3:50 pm
sdot, those 2K screen shots looked good; however, look at 2K’s screen shots from last year and the actual game play….2K tends to use an artist rendition. I do believe the graphics are improved based off the demo video that came out a while back, but not as good as these screen shots show.
Not hating on 2K, just saying the graphics are very unlikely to be better than Lives. to argue your point from earlier.
One thing I really hope that 2K fixes more than anything is the skating. I’d take that over improved graphics. I’m not a graphics whore, it’s nice, but I love foot planting in games.
September 8, 2008 at 3:50 pm
And watch, all of a sudden now I’m an EA fan boy by some people, when the other day I was called a 2K fan boy. LOL. Better yet, just call me an NBA 09 fan boy.