Oh, I don't disagree with the ranking based on NBA Live 95's impact and what it did in its time. I'd say it would make my list, too. I'm just saying that all other things being equal, comparing what NBA Live 95 does with what NBA 2K13 does, 2K13 is the superior game because of superior technology and close to two decades of improvements being made to basketball games. However, add those aforementioned factors, and Live 95 definitely earns its place.
Also, since you brought it up, I'm definitely growing weary of the snarky "Is that NBA Live 16?" and "The game/graphics hasn't gotten better since" remarks that a lot of people like to toss out there when NBA Live 95 screenshots and footage are posted. If we want to be taken seriously as gamers - and armchair critics - then we should refrain from such asinine hyperbole. It does little for our credibility, and even as a joke, it's old and done to death. If we're going to critique NBA Live's graphics and gameplay - and we certainly can and should, if we want to see improvement - then we need to make intelligent observations, not throw out overused snarky jabs. It's like people throwing the word "cheese" around in regards to issues with NBA 2K. How are developers supposed to take us seriously if they have to wade through that muck to find constructive and useful feedback?
Anyway, rant over. Just something that's been on my mind as of late.
NBA Live 2005 was a great release. First game in the series with the All-Star Weekend, good gameplay that could produce some realistic results with a few slider tweaks, the debut of Freestyle Air, some customisation options that weren't in NBA Live 2004...2004-06 on PC/PS2/Xbox were some really strong releases for NBA Live.