Support NeoGAF

[DMczaf]

Video is here

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/nbalive2005/media.html

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/nbalive2005/preview_6102789.html

One of the biggest improvements to the gameplay is added defense against the jump stop maneuver. Veterans of last year's game may remember that the jump stop (or pro hop) was oftentimes just a free pass to a dunk, as it allowed you to push back a defender and give yourself great position under the basket. This time around, if you don't aim your hop into an open space, you'll lose control of the ball and turn it over, or simply get it stripped. You may also get tagged with an offensive foul if you run over a defender with your hop. Rounding out the list of new changes is added control over offensive rebounds. Instead of having no control over whether your player attempts a tip-in or putback dunk or just pulls down the board, you can now use three different buttons to crash the glass. Press the dunk/layup button to try a putback dunk. Hit the shoot button to try a tip-in. Or just press jump and pull down the rebound.

Just like in the real-life NBA All-Star Weekend, there will be four events represented in NBA Live 2005--the All-Star game itself, the rookies-vs.-sophomores game, the three-point shootout, and the slam dunk contest. All of these are available as separate gameplay modes, or within the context of season and franchise mode.

Instead of just having you press a single button to execute a dunk as you (still) do in a regular match of NBA Live, the freestyle dunk mode is a complicated affair that pieces together up to seven different animations to create your custom dunk. In all, the developers boast that thousands of different dunks will be possible. In our play testing, we were able to execute 180 reverse dunks, 360 slams, between-the-legs jams, and even Vince Carter's signature elbow-dip dunk.

Do an especially nasty dunk and you'll see those players jump up in a frenzy with cameras and camcorders in hand. You'll also see a five-man panel of NBA legends such as Julius Erving and George Gervin holding up numbered signs to score your dunks. TNT's Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson will be on hand to provide commentary for the side events of NBA All-Star Weekend. But don't worry, Marv Albert fans. The marvelous play-by-play man and Mike Fratello still handle regular announcing duties for the primary game.

 

[bishoptl]

Wait a second - where's the WNBA/NBA 2-Ball competition? It's a staple of every All-Star Weekend!

Detroit Shock demand respect!