Kobe and company are ready to play ball again, and you're in charge of everything from the administrative details to the arc of the ball on your three-point attempts. You've got prime access to all of the current rosters (circa the start of the 2001-2002 season), and each NBA franchise plays in a stunning re-creation of its real-life arena. This installment of the popular basketball series introduces textured face mapping, which makes the NBA superstars look much more lifelike than in games of the past. You can actually tap into your adrenaline reserve in this installment with the touch of a button, and there's a cool new passing system to keep those assists looking pretty. Sim mode allows you to play a full NBA season with the team of your choosing, enjoying complete statistics and the inclusion of in-season momentum. There are plenty of high-flying dunks and new juke moves to test out, and you can as per usual create your own basketball heroes to face off against the real pros.