Now..im a graphics whore...and....Espn Basketball is spanking live in the graphics department. I dont find the nba live series to have bad graphics but ...here are my suggestions.
Bump mapping
..Check out the Doom 3 screens and you'll know what that is. Models look like they have 298540 million polys yet they dont...why? The textures feature something call bump mapping which make textures/models look very detailed.
Pixel shaders
This can be used to make players look sweaty ingame. For reference...once again..see Doom 3 screenshots or Max payne 2 screens. You can even check out ingame screens of Espn Basketball to get an idea of what it looks like.
Real time lighting/shadows
This one is not as important as the rest but it definitely adds alot of reaslism. (see Doom 3 screens..lol). Currently in live...places like the urban court..the buildings and players cast shadows on surfaces...but have you ever seen a shadow from another player or the evironment being cast on other players? Have you ever seen light move during gameplay? Think about that for a second.
Last but not least...
Havoc Physics/Ragdoll physics
..Play or look at Max Payne 2 videos to have an idea of what it looks like. Even better...play Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance(kickass game btw). Notice how the player's hair move..as well their clothes? I think if nba live added these physics it would make the game look 100% more realistic. Think of it...nowitski and larry bird with hair that bounce....spree doing the toma hawk and his uniform flails about. Out of all these graphical improvements, i'd love to see this the most.