Contents
1. Controls
2. Legends
3. How to Beat Jordan
4. Bugs and Oversights
Controls
> Beyond the basics of shooting and passing, one of the most important
functions is DirectPass/DirectSwitch. Available in the past couple
editions of Live but not utilized enough by the majority of players,
the ability to pass to a specific player or switch to a specific
defender can be pivotal if mastered. To implement it, hold L1 at any
point during a game. You will see icons next to the four players
besides the one you are controlling; square corresponds to the power
forward, triangle corresponds to the center, circle corresponds to the
shooting guard, and cross corresponds to the small forward. If you are
already controlling one of these four positions, then the button will
instead correspond to the point guard. So, for example, if you're
controlling Jason Williams -- a point guard -- then all the icons will
correspond with the aforementioned; however, if you're controlling
Chris Webber -- a power forward -- then the square icon will correspond
with Jason Williams, the point guard. Thus, if you're Webber on
offense, holding L1 and hitting square will get it to Williams; if
you're on Webber on defense, you can hit square to control Williams and
defend the opposing point guard. Remember that you can DirectPass in
the air; sometimes a cutter won't start his motion until you've already
risen for a shot. Simple enough, but overwhelmingly useful.
> If you're handling the ball, tapping triangle will initiate a spin
move. Used correctly, this is the best way to free yourself from and
get around someone who's guarding you closely on a fast break.
> Use head fakes (tap circle) often. There's no better way to start
off a drive, get off a three, or free yourself up in the post than by
getting the defender up in the air and unable to react. This applies
even on Superstar level; with the exception of phenomenal defenders
like Gary Payton, a defender will inevitably fall for a head fake if
you are patient on offense and get the ball to a player enough times.
Remember that on a given touch, only the first head fake matters; if
the defender doesn't fall for it the first time, then he won't be
falling for it any time immediately after. Pass the ball to another
person and have him get it back to you so you can try another head
fake. Repeat until the defender falls for it and the lane or three-
pointer is open.
Legends
> The all-time All-Stars are locked in ten different ways, with each
being repeated for the various levels of difficulty and all of them
requiring the use of default rules and simulation mode. Remember that
accomplishing a particular task on Superstar is the same as
accomplishing that task on all four difficulty levels. Thus, to save
time and avoid repeating tasks, try to accomplish as many of them as
you can on Superstar. What follows is a description of each task, the
players locked by each, and some notes.
* Get a triple-double with a player (Bob Pettit, Dolph Schayes, Oscar
Robertson, Bob Lanier, Moses Malone, Grant Hill, Shawn Kemp). Scoring
ten points and getting ten assists is pretty simple. The last category
-- rebounds, steals, or blocks -- shouldn't be all that bad either,
though getting ten blocks is probably more trouble than it's worth.
Remember that part of this task -- as well as the others which involve
accomplishments in a single game -- is winning the game itself.
* Get fifteen steals in a game (Larry Costello, Jerry West, Dave Bing,
Isiah Thomas, John Stockton). The biggest concern with this task is
foul trouble. Obviously, using a player with a high steals rating will
make things a little easier. During the course of the game, swipe
whenever opposing players are dribbling or holding the ball toward your
player; stay away from jump shooters and the area under the basket to
cut down on fouls.
* Get thirty assists with a player (Bob Cousy, Lenny Wilkens, John
Havlicek, Pete Maravich, Nate Archibald, Gary Payton). This is a
little easier if you're using a team with a big-time post player. For
example, use Derek Fisher of the Lakers to throw it in to Shaq. A
single Shaq head fake will fool most post defenders, even on Superstar
level, and leave a lane open for an easy dunk. Repeating the procedure
thirty times isn't difficult.
* Hit fifteen threes with a player (Bill Sharman, Carl Braun, Hal
Greer, Rick Barry, Charles Barkley). Considering that no player has
ever hit such an incredible number of threes in a single game -- Brian
Shaw holds the record of ten in a game -- it is pretty random that EA
came up with this task. Even more bizarre is the fact that
accomplishing the task unlocks Charles Barkley, a post player and poor
three-point shooter. Regardless, scoring 45 points off threes is
simple enough in the realm of video games. Choose a sharpshooter and
fire away.
* Score twenty points in the three point shootout (Richard Guerin, Sam
Jones, Larry Bird, George Gervin, Reggie Miller). This task is self-
explanatory -- and nearly impossible on Superstar level. Good luck
unlocking Larry Legend!
* Win a game of one-on-one against a player with a rating of eighty or
higher (Paul Arizin, Wilt Chamberlain, Earl Monroe, Julius Erving,
Kevin McHale, Mitch Richmond, (Michael Jordan)). Basketball is a game
of matchups, so the strategy for this task really depends on which
players you choose for yourself and the computer. If you're using a
tall player, put those shotblocking, rebounding, and post-up skills to
good use; the shorter your opponent, the easier you can get your
jumpers off. If you're using a quick guard, do what you can to drive
past the defender (though defense tends to tighten up immensely as you
near the end of the game). Be sure to head fake if you can't shake
your opponent and are about to take a jumper. Don't shoot a whole lot
of leaners or fadeaways -- you really don't need them for one-on-one.
On defense, always stay between your opponent and the basket, go for
blocks, and crash the boards.
Remember, by the way, that the only way to unlock Michael Jordan is to
defeat him in a game of one-on-one at the Superstar level using a
player who has not been created or modified. Approaching this task is
discussed later.
* Win a game by at least ten points (Andrew Phillip, Jerry Lucas, Walt
Bellamy, James Worthy, Dominique Wilkins, Shaquille O'Neal, Scottie
Pippen). Not too cerebral.
* Win five consecutive games during the regular season (Harry
Gallatin, Elgin Baylor, Walt Frazier, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham,
Patrick Ewing). Again, no explanation necessary.
* Sweep the first round of the playoffs (George Yardley, Cliff Hagan,
Tommy Heinsohn, Wes Unseld, Bill Walton, Karl Malone). A one-game
round doesn't work here; you'll have to play a best-of-five series to
unlock Malone and company.
* Win the championship (Bill Russell, Willis Reed, Magic Johnson,
Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, David Robinson). If you don't feel
like winning fifteen games, then win four -- set the playoff length to
one-game rounds.
> Note: Don't be afraid to combine tasks. If you play a game on
Superstar level with twelve-minute quarters, it shouldn't be very hard
to win the game by double figures while getting a triple-double (forty-
five points off threes, thirty assists, and fifteen steals) with a
player. This one game would get you a total of 31 legends -- more than
half of those available!
How to Beat Jordan
> This section will outline the strikingly easy-to-implement strategy
for defeating Michael Jordan in one-on-one at any level, be it Rookie
or Superstar. As a warning in advance, this approach is *not* for
those who play Live as if it were real life rather than as a video game
(you people know who you are). With that said, here we go...
> Select a highly rated three point shooter (i.e. Glen Rice) as your
player. Proceed with shooting for possession, and don't worry if
Jordan gets the ball first -- if it's winner's outs you can be pretty
sure he won't score on every possession and keep the ball for the
duration of the game. On defense, do what you can to stay between him
and the basket, get a hand in his face when he's shooting, chase after
loose balls, and crash the boards. The key is scoring points yourself.
Jordan always was an incredible defender and is recognized as such with
a defensive awareness rating of 97 in this game. If you get the ball
and start trying to drive around him, you'll find that he won't let you
-- he's fast on his feet as a straight-up defender. To counter this,
*just* shoot threes. Whenever you have the ball up top, refrain from
dribbling -- the risk of a turnover isn't worth it -- and launch a
straightaway three. If you play solid defense and do this repeatedly,
you will win -- Jordan is unable to do much defensively against a
three-point gunner in Live 2000. You don't even need to dribble once
to defeat him!
Bugs and Oversights
> When a player goes out of bounds or commits a backcourt violation, a
foul will sometimes be called on the nearest defender, even if no foul
was actually committed. So, instead of a turnover, the team which had
the ball retains possession (or goes to the line for two if it's a
penalty situation). This occurs randomly and is especially annoying
when it happens at the end of close games.
> While it has no effect on the game, any player who goes to the free
throw line immediately after a hook shot has been taken will shoot his
foul shots with tremendous arc.
> Here's a list of Legends notes which is not comprehensive by any
means... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not the roster of the 70s or 80s All-
Stars but definitely should be; George Mikan is missing from the 50s
squad. A strong case can be made for the inclusion of Clyde Drexler
and Tim Hardaway. One may argue that Charles Barkley and Hakeem
Olajuwon belong with the 90s team rather than the 80s team.
