Looking At Some Early NBA Live DNA Changes

by pastapadre
Posted November 8th, 2008 at 11:53 am

While there continue to be some hiccups involved with the 365 feature in NBA Live 09 much of it now appears to be working. The data from the games so far this year is feeding in providing the Rewind games (though they are several days behind) and DNA changes. The more games that are played the more accurate the DNA should be. Still I thought it would be interesting to look at a handful of players and see how their DNA compares to what originally shipped on the game.

There is nothing out there that even compares to what is being done with 365 and what it will mean to the game throughout the year. It’ll be interesting to follow all the changes and see how the players and teams evolve and I’ll be doing regular articles about it. Not just for those playing the game but also for NBA fans who would find this info intriguing. I’m especially looking forward to seeing how the Nuggets and Pistons evolve following the Billups-Iverson trade. Continue on for a look at 14 players and how their DNA as of 11/7 compares to the default.

The number one pick in the draft Derek Rose shows that early on he is performing somewhat as expected. Not everyone will see huge changes in DNA and Rose thus far is an example of that.

On the other end of the spectrum is Michael Beasley who displays how the DNA can shift quite drastically. While only a few games to go on you can see some big differences with the Heat. He is spotting up more and isn’t running off-ball screens.

Like Beasley, OJ Mayo is showing major changes compared to the shipped DNA. He has been predominantly a pick and roll ball handler.

Kevin Love has been spotting up more and posting up less early on with the Timberwolves. He also hasn’t been involved in many pick and rolls.

Rudy Fernandez is spotting up more for the Blazers and seeing less time in isolation.

Elton Brand went from the Clippers to the 76ers but the early results show he is playing practically the same way as he did before.

Similar to Brand you can see that Baron Davis hasn’t changed much since leaving the Warriors for the Clippers.

Mo Williams joined the Cavs and playing with Lebron James isn’t leading to much of a drastic difference in his style so far. He’s spotting up a little more which could be a product of how much Lebron handles the ball.

On the Hornets you can see that James Posey is almost exclusively a spot-up jump shooter.

Chris Bosh has benefited from the acquisition of Jermaine O’Neal. His DNA so far shows he is posting up more taking away from how much he is spotting up or involved in pick and rolls.

Bringing in Michael Beasley has resulted (at least partially) in Shawn Marion becoming more of a spot-up shooter for the Heat.

This season Kobe Bryant has been in isolation situations more often than before. I’m not sure why that may be the case and I’d expect that to be reduced as the season goes on.

Having Tyson Chandler in only two of the four games hasn’t affected Chris Paul’s DNA much. He remains primarily a pick and roll ball handler regardless.

Despite having Mo Williams at PG there isn’t any significant shifts in Lebron James’ DNA. Slightly less pick and roll and spotting up with slightly more isolation and posting up. The balance appears to be about the same.

Tags:

Josh

[quote comment="44702"][quote comment="44699"]Yo Pasta, any word on when there will be a patch for Live??[/quote]

Yes, and it’ll probably be out within the next 2-3 weeks.

[quote comment="44691"]Pasta, if you like Live better than 2k that’s fine but you lose me when you say you like Live better because it has better online features? Really? Does gameplay even matter to you? I mean isn’t gameplay the most important aspect of a Sports Video Game? It seems like you like games only for online features. If you do that’s fine but just let it be known so we could end the speculation. I normally visit your site to get your objective feedback but I’m starting to wonder if your still objective.[/quote]

Well online is certainly a big part of it for me. When you start talking about gameplay that is always going to be subjective. You think Live’s is terrible, I find it semi-enjoyable (and a mode like online team play covers up some of the flaws). What you probably don’t give enough credit to is familiarity. I’ve played Live as long as I can remember and it is difficult to switch completely when you have that level of comfort. I’ve recognized 2K basketball as better from a technical standpoint when talking about general gameplay, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to how much it would be enjoyed since that varies from individual to individual. It would be the same for someone who has been playing 2K for years…even if Live was generally regarded as better (like 2K is now) those people would struggle to switch just cause of that. I understand why people can find enjoyment out of either.[/quote]

Thank you Pasta. That clears things up for me. If you’re more familiar with Live I can respect that. I, like you, used to only play Live & it was initially hard for me to switch to playing 2K. I would love to still play Live but after playing 2K it’s just hard to go back to Live. It’s like taking a step back gameplay wise. Anyways thanx for clearing that up. I know you’re tired of all this 2K vs Live stuff everytime you post anything basketball related. Lol. You do a good job man.
Josh

[quote comment="44702"][quote comment="44699"]Yo Pasta, any word on when there will be a patch for Live??[/quote]

Yes, and it’ll probably be out within the next 2-3 weeks.

[quote comment="44691"]Pasta, if you like Live better than 2k that’s fine but you lose me when you say you like Live better because it has better online features? Really? Does gameplay even matter to you? I mean isn’t gameplay the most important aspect of a Sports Video Game? It seems like you like games only for online features. If you do that’s fine but just let it be known so we could end the speculation. I normally visit your site to get your objective feedback but I’m starting to wonder if your still objective.[/quote]

Well online is certainly a big part of it for me. When you start talking about gameplay that is always going to be subjective. You think Live’s is terrible, I find it semi-enjoyable (and a mode like online team play covers up some of the flaws). What you probably don’t give enough credit to is familiarity. I’ve played Live as long as I can remember and it is difficult to switch completely when you have that level of comfort. I’ve recognized 2K basketball as better from a technical standpoint when talking about general gameplay, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to how much it would be enjoyed since that varies from individual to individual. It would be the same for someone who has been playing 2K for years…even if Live was generally regarded as better (like 2K is now) those people would struggle to switch just cause of that. I understand why people can find enjoyment out of either.[/quote]

Thank you Pasta. That clears things up for me. If you’re more familiar with Live I can respect that. I, like you, used to only play Live & it was initially hard for me to switch to playing 2K. I would love to still play Live but after playing 2K it’s just hard to go back to Live. It’s like taking a step back gameplay wise. Anyways thanx for clearing that up. I know you’re tired of all this 2K vs Live stuff everytime you post anything basketball related. Lol. You do a good job man.
Joe

Maybe someone has already answered this but I didn’t see it. My problem with updates is that they do not incorporate themselves into a franchise you already have saved. For example the weekly roster updates on Madden this year are great but I have to restart my franchise almost every week to incorporate these new rosters. Is there a way to incorporate 365 DNA updates into a saved franchise or are you forced to just restart your franchise over and over again. If you are not able to use daily updates in a saved franchise then what is the real point? Other than online play what are these updates good for? Again this may have been answered and I just didn’t see it.
Joe

Maybe someone has already answered this but I didn’t see it. My problem with updates is that they do not incorporate themselves into a franchise you already have saved. For example the weekly roster updates on Madden this year are great but I have to restart my franchise almost every week to incorporate these new rosters. Is there a way to incorporate 365 DNA updates into a saved franchise or are you forced to just restart your franchise over and over again. If you are not able to use daily updates in a saved franchise then what is the real point? Other than online play what are these updates good for? Again this may have been answered and I just didn’t see it.
JR (cabrillo24)

sdot, I’m satisfied with the animations as is, even though 2K is superior, new animations will be a given next year, but a deep franchise mode and deep online play will give the game more longetivity. I found Live’s game play to be enjoyable, especially with the slider modifications that I made (check out the PastaPadre Forum, over 1000+ views). I’m not advocating Live over 2K, but Live is actually on the right track. 2K still beats it game play wise, in terms of feel, but functionality I give Live the upper hand. Since Live 08 you can see what they’re trying to do, add a little bit each year, instead of trying to re-invent the wheel as they did with 2006, 2007. That’s what made 2K9 the game that it is, it’s because they added on every year instead of bringing something brand new. I think the addition of NCAA 09 using Live’s engine will also help Live in the long term as they can continue adding/modifying on one engine …2010 my be the year that Live gets a higher rating than 2K.
JR (cabrillo24)

sdot, I’m satisfied with the animations as is, even though 2K is superior, new animations will be a given next year, but a deep franchise mode and deep online play will give the game more longetivity. I found Live’s game play to be enjoyable, especially with the slider modifications that I made (check out the PastaPadre Forum, over 1000+ views). I’m not advocating Live over 2K, but Live is actually on the right track. 2K still beats it game play wise, in terms of feel, but functionality I give Live the upper hand. Since Live 08 you can see what they’re trying to do, add a little bit each year, instead of trying to re-invent the wheel as they did with 2006, 2007. That’s what made 2K9 the game that it is, it’s because they added on every year instead of bringing something brand new. I think the addition of NCAA 09 using Live’s engine will also help Live in the long term as they can continue adding/modifying on one engine …2010 my be the year that Live gets a higher rating than 2K.
swizzy

4 those who CAN’T UNDASTAN my typin DON’T READ IT

dis is like my 1ST yr in SPECIAL ED da teacher sed deer will be NO ENGLISH spoken in dis class if U CAN’T keep up DROP da CLASS

so DON’T BOTHER askin me 2 SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH deer will B NO P.E in my post
swizzy

4 those who CAN’T UNDASTAN my typin DON’T READ IT

dis is like my 1ST yr in SPECIAL ED da teacher sed deer will be NO ENGLISH spoken in dis class if U CAN’T keep up DROP da CLASS

so DON’T BOTHER askin me 2 SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH deer will B NO P.E in my post
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

@ JR I can respect wut U sed I doubt it will 2 fruition but I respect it N e wayz

@ my STALKER WOW so U Followed me from da IGN Message boards seen my post Modified it & brought it wit U 2 Pasta’s site W-O-W

Tell me Can U see right now

also I wanna kno HOW STRAIGHT do U feel tryin 2 RIDE me like dis???? SERIOUSLY
http://pastapadre.com sdot

@ JR I can respect wut U sed I doubt it will 2 fruition but I respect it N e wayz

@ my STALKER WOW so U Followed me from da IGN Message boards seen my post Modified it & brought it wit U 2 Pasta’s site W-O-W

Tell me Can U see right now

also I wanna kno HOW STRAIGHT do U feel tryin 2 RIDE me like dis???? SERIOUSLY
Amar

Yo Pasta, thanks for the answer dog. I appreciate you and the site playa!!! On the real though, if people don’t like Pasta’s so called bias to EA, stay the f*Uk off the site. I think he keeps it fair and gives his assessment. Y’all don’t like it, create your own site and give your own damn assessments!!!
Amar

Yo Pasta, thanks for the answer dog. I appreciate you and the site playa!!! On the real though, if people don’t like Pasta’s so called bias to EA, stay the f*Uk off the site. I think he keeps it fair and gives his assessment. Y’all don’t like it, create your own site and give your own damn assessments!!!
swizzy

@sdot

yea heres SWIZZY

I was out here on my ROCKO

& LOOK wut I SEE wen I get BACK
swizzy

@sdot

yea heres SWIZZY

I was out here on my ROCKO

& LOOK wut I SEE wen I get BACK
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

4 real ma but U CAN’T be me U probably DON’T even kno wut I mean wen I say
“on my ROCKO”

PASTA U see my fans dey say IMITATION is da BIGGEST form of FLATTERY
http://pastapadre.com sdot

4 real ma but U CAN’T be me U probably DON’T even kno wut I mean wen I say
“on my ROCKO”

PASTA U see my fans dey say IMITATION is da BIGGEST form of FLATTERY
swizzy

am I gettin 2 U ma

c’mon DON’T be like dat
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
swizzy

am I gettin 2 U ma

c’mon DON’T be like dat
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

2 my unborn child I was wonderin wen U was gonna reply

I feel like LL right now wen dey had his FANS sayin sum of his Lyrics & askin him 2 name da song dey got it from

good 1 I believe dat was from da 2KSports 4rums RIGHT

try sumthin older
http://pastapadre.com sdot

2 my unborn child I was wonderin wen U was gonna reply

I feel like LL right now wen dey had his FANS sayin sum of his Lyrics & askin him 2 name da song dey got it from

good 1 I believe dat was from da 2KSports 4rums RIGHT

try sumthin older
swizzy

2 da BITTIE (U KNO WHO U R) feel free 2 continue 2 try & meet da man behind da zipper if U want cuz I NO U like da MAN

U B jus another HALLE OVA here

U B like

make me FEEL GOOD
I WANA FEEL GOOD
can U make me feel good
I just WANNA FEEL GOOOOOOD
swizzy

2 da BITTIE (U KNO WHO U R) feel free 2 continue 2 try & meet da man behind da zipper if U want cuz I NO U like da MAN

U B jus another HALLE OVA here

U B like

make me FEEL GOOD
I WANA FEEL GOOD
can U make me feel good
I just WANNA FEEL GOOOOOOD
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

ha ha ha

dam itz even funny da 2nd time around

I kno dat 1 got 2 her
http://pastapadre.com sdot

ha ha ha

dam itz even funny da 2nd time around

I kno dat 1 got 2 her
swizzy

LMAO U L-A-M-E 4 dat FACT is U jumped in 2 sumthin dat had NUFFIN 2 wit U

& now U wanna play victim STOP CRYIN ma
swizzy

LMAO U L-A-M-E 4 dat FACT is U jumped in 2 sumthin dat had NUFFIN 2 wit U

& now U wanna play victim STOP CRYIN ma
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

YO fam U STUPID 4 dat 1 (sed while laffin)

so how long U plan on tryin 2 keep dis up i’m INTERESTED 2 kno???
http://pastapadre.com sdot

YO fam U STUPID 4 dat 1 (sed while laffin)

so how long U plan on tryin 2 keep dis up i’m INTERESTED 2 kno???
swizzy

YO ma 1ST watch ur mouth USSY sayin SH… like dat is W-E-A-K if it AIN’T face 2 face

STOP HATIN on a TRU THUG U NEED 2 get OFF dat F-E-M-A-L-E SH…. U NAGGIN ME MA QUIT
swizzy

YO ma 1ST watch ur mouth USSY sayin SH… like dat is W-E-A-K if it AIN’T face 2 face

STOP HATIN on a TRU THUG U NEED 2 get OFF dat F-E-M-A-L-E SH…. U NAGGIN ME MA QUIT
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

hold up I NEVA SED TRY THUG

U CALLIN urself “THUG” ROFLMAO
http://pastapadre.com sdot

hold up I NEVA SED TRY THUG

U CALLIN urself “THUG” ROFLMAO
swizzy

I HATE 2 BREAK it 2 ya MA BUT I IZ WUT I IZ

ha ha ha ha ha ha

dam U GOTS violated

da TRUTH is out deer
end of da day 4 any1 who seeks it

advantage SWIZZY
swizzy

I HATE 2 BREAK it 2 ya MA BUT I IZ WUT I IZ

ha ha ha ha ha ha

dam U GOTS violated

da TRUTH is out deer
end of da day 4 any1 who seeks it

advantage SWIZZY
Dre

Anything DNA wise on any of the Hawks players.
Dre

Anything DNA wise on any of the Hawks players.