NBA Live 2001
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| Release Date | October 18th, 2000 (PSX) February 8th, 2001 (PC) February 23rd, 2001 (PS2) |
| Platforms | PC CD-ROM Playstation Playstation 2 |
| System Requirements | Windows 95/98/ME 200 MHz Intel Pentium/AMD K6 Processor 32 MB RAM 4x CD-ROM/DVD Drive 100 MB HD space 4 MB Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 8.0 compatible driver |
NBA Live 2001 (also known as NBA 2001 or Live 2001 and stylised as NBA LIVE 2001) is the seventh instalment in the NBA Live series, released in North America on January 23rd, 2001 for the Playstation 2, the original Playstation version on October 18th, 2000 and the PC version on February 8th, 2001. Kevin Garnett was featured as its cover player. It is the direct sequel to NBA Live 2000 and was followed by NBA Live 2002.
Summary
NBA Live 2001 is EA Sports' NBA release for the 2000/2001 NBA season. The game proved a controversial release as the PC version was pushed back until February 2001 and contained several issues including difficulty interrupting animations and disproportinate rebounding (offensive rebounds outnumbered defensive rebounds). Adding to the controversy was the absence of an official fix to address the issues. While full details of such a patch and its subsequent fate were never released, it seems preliminary plans to release a fix fell apart leaving the community in an uproar. Although the patchmaking community took to the game with reasonable enthusiasm, especially in the absence of a PC version of NBA Live 2002, there was a considerable amount of dissatisfaction with the game and several fans began to turn away from the NBA Live series towards the newly established NBA 2K series.
Also of note, it was the first game on which NLSC founder Tim Tschirner was a member of the production team and the only game to date to feature the Three Team Trade Function.
Official Features List
- Online Community: Enhanced Chat and Match-up with the fast, easy to use Match-up System. Enter the Online Lobby to set up a game, chat with friends and more.
- Enhanced Franchise Mode: Execute more realistic blockbuster trades with up to 3 teams and 15 players using the new trade interface.
- New Player Interactions: Player personalities and emotions come alive on the sidelines and on the court - players contest calls, celebrate key scores, encourage teammates and more.
- Complete Low Post Control: Battle to back down a defender and then select from a variety of post moves including up-and-under, jump hook and turn-around and fade-away jump shots.
- New soundtrack featuring Montell Jordan: Platinum recording artist highlights another stellar LIVE soundtrack.
Noteworthy Facts
- NBA Live 2001 was the first game for the new NBA Live production team
- In a 2007 poll held in the NLSC Forum, Garnett was selected along with Vince Carter as the most popular choice for cover player.
- Charles Barkley's final (official) appearance in the series to date.
- The only NBA Live to feature three team trades
- The first NBA Live to allow users to place players on the injured list while leaving less than twelve players on the active list.
- The first game featuring Don Poier and Bob Elliott on commentary.
- The final appearance of Face in the Game.
Links
| Previous: NBA Live 2000 |
NBA Live series | Next: NBA Live 2002 |
