
GameSpy writes: "NBA fans can generally be divided into a couple of categories. There are those who want to see stars score tons of points, soar for vicious slams and swat shots into the stands and there are the aficionados who enjoy watching the Triangle offense being run to perfection even more than seeing Kobe Bryant throw down a reverse-360 windmill. The latter group likes to delve deeper into the game than simply enjoying the surface highlights, figuring out how different players' attributes and personalities fit together like a puzzle. With basketball's combination of teamwork and its inherent celebration of individuality and improvisation, true purists look at the game almost as if it were a form of jazz on the hardwood. That's the NBA 2K9 fan. The series from Visual Concepts has had a strong hold on the hardcore fan for years now, thanks to the genre's most realistic gameplay along with nuances that seem to be pulled straight from NBA arenas."
Pros:
+Outstanding looks and gameplay
+Lockdown defense changed for better
+Mew level of crowd excitement and energy
+Excellent franchise mode
Cons:
-NBA Blacktop doesn't measure up
-Highlight segments a bit choppy
-TV presentation is disappointing

Video games are meant to be challenging but sometimes 'challenging' becomes frustratingly impossible. Off the top of my head these are the games that really pissed me off. This is based on personal opinion but feel free to ridicule my choices and add what you think are frustrating moments in gaming.

Resume Play - Stephen Rosenberg writes "The NBA season starts in October, and aside from maybe Rich, I'm probably the only one on Resume Play that cares. However, it is my job to bring a little bit of sporting games into this nerd fest of a site. Along with the new season comes to releases of NBA Live 2010 and NBA 2K10. I've had almost a year of fun and excitement from these games and there is a constant debate about which one is better. Most of the people that side with the live games only play the live games, and likewise with the 2K series. I have owned NBA Live 2009 since the release date, and only just picked up 2K9. I am a dedicated NBA fan and pay attention to lots of small details, so I will take those into count. I think you'll be surprised by my comparison. I have been a live buyer for the last three years, but before that I was a 2K series buyer, and even before that, I was a live buyer. Here's my professional Resume Play writer comparison of NBA Live 2009 and NBA 2K9."
Although Basketball isnt big over here, and the videegames for them are select sale only, If it gets a 5/5 off resumeplay (And Stephen no less) then I guess it must be worth a look into :S
Be warned, if it sucks I'm coming after you =D
Update: Just played about 10 mins out of it...it is good...carry on
Goodness, games have come a long way from NBA Jam. I have watched you play these, kinda, and I didn't know there were any differences... lol. Good story.
I can't even begin to count how many times I've heard "Off the penetration!" from Live.

Last year's NBA Live got a 77 on Metacritic. 2K Sports' NBA 2K9 received a total of 84 on Metacritic. It's been a consistent pattern for years. The NBA 2K franchise continually outscores EA Sports' competing NBA Live series. Later this fall, the two franchises with once again battle each other on the virtual court, but EA Sports President Peter Moore is expecting a much tighter basketball showdown this year.
SO they know that the game has been crap. EA has been too lazy for too many years. So 2k is just going to sit on their asses and let Live beat them???
2K is good about being hush on whats new in each years game. Online was the only thing wrong with 2k9. I hope they fix the lobby and make it so you can send a game invite to a friend on the ps3. I hate having to tell someone to go in the lobby and hope nobody joins the game before the person I'm waiting on comes in. Plus they need to add back the half time shows and the intros lol! i miss that from the old dreamcast versions.