Pinpointing Unrealistic Scores - An observation

I debated whether this should be in the Wishlist section, but concluded that it was more of an observation of NBA Live 2003, as my basic wish in regards to the high scoring in Live 2003 is simply to slow gameplay down for Live 2004 (or incorporate sliders to allow the user the degree of realism).

Anyway...

I've recently started a Franchise with the Timberwolves, using the opening night rosters from the NLSC current roster update (which are untweaked). Since I like to play a full game, I play with 12 minute quarters, which naturally results in scores in excess of 130.

I have always endeavoured to slow the game down with my play (though sometimes I just play the game and forget about realism), and in previous years, I've had success. In my first two games of the Wolves Franchise, I got excited. I noted the statistics from the second game, vs the Orlando Magic.

Orlando's stats at the end of the first half were as follows:

52 points
21/43 FG (48.8%)
1/4 3pt (25%)
7/7 FT (100%)

8 rebounds
6 blocks
13 steals
14 assists
12 turnovers

All of which are pretty decent for NBA Live 2003 (I trailed 52-50 at the halftime). Though the blocks, turnovers, steals and assists are somewhat high, they did not yield an unrealistic scoreline at the half. Ignoring the "sticky hands" steals and the blocks out of bounds/to half court/by Darrell Armstrong, and allowing for my own carelessness on a few plays, the offensive game had been more or less realistic. Granted, I took measures to slow the game down a little, but the fact remains the first half played a game that was fairly realistic. Then came the third quarter.

This is where Orlando raced ahead. It could be a bruised ego at work, but I contend that the Magic should not have played the way they did. My players, as fresh as theirs, failed to execute on offense, and refused to work on defense. I could not make a jumpshot, wide open or otherwise, I could not get to the basket; they had no trouble doing either.

Orlando's stats for the 3rd quarter:

49 points
21/28 FG (75%)
5/7 3pt (71%)
2/2 FT (100%)

6 rebounds
8 blocks
3 steals
12 assists
4 turnovers

A similar output in terms of scoring, rebounds, blocks and assists to the entire first half, shooting the ball above 70% inside and outside the arc.

Orlando's 4th quarter stats:

27 points
13/29 FG (44.8%)
1/10 3pt (10%)
0/0 FT

14 rebounds
3 blocks
3 steals
9 assists
9 turnovers

Which by comparison, is not too bad. The final result was a 128-114 Orlando victory.

The problem always seems to be the third quarter, especially on offense. CPU opponents seem to make an inexplicable during the third quarter that is certainly unrealistic and very difficult to prevent. If you tally the stats from the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarters for Orlando, the result is this:

79 points
34/72 FG (47.2%)
2/14 3pt (14.3%)
7/7 FT (100%)

22 rebounds
9 blocks
16 steals
21 assists
21 turnovers

Not totally unrealistic numbers for 36 minutes (especially in terms of scoring), when you factor in my own errors and momentary carelessness. I gave away free throws on some stupid fouls that resulted in at least 5 points, and pressed the wrong direct pass button resulting in a turnover a few times for some more easy points.

Though the whole game needs to be slower, it seems as though 36 minutes can produce realistic numbers. For some users, 9 (or even 8) minute quarters might be a good option. But there's still 12 minutes that need to be addressed - specifically, the 25th-36th minutes of the game.

i hear you bro.

but just got to stick with it.

but it makes being able to play 4 disciplined quarters more fulfillling!

once i limited them to 70 pt (9-min quarters) boy it felt good!

I find Orlando is one of the hardest teams to defend...especailly with T-mac freestylin' down your lane...

What were your Timberwolves' stats?

but just got to stick with it.

Definitely. Despite the few quarrels I have with the game, I am pro-NBA Live 2003.

What were your Timberwolves' stats?

I didn't make a note of them, though my FG% would have been fairly high thanks to an attempted run in the 4th quarter where I threw all attempts at realism out at the window, and just tried to get back into the game. Alas, that run came up short.

This is true but it's been happening since Live '95, 12 minute quarters will always produce higher stats. It goes for every other sport game aswell, just imagine if you played NHL with 20min periods. I play with 7 minute quarters and always have realistic stats and scores.

I know, I'm no stranger to the NBA Live series, though I've been able to better control the scoring output in previous Lives (lowest in 12 minute quarters has been 73-70 in NBA Live 96, and 75-67 in NBA Live 2002) playing a full 48 minute game.

This is the first NBA title (Live 2003) in which I'm forced to play less than 12 min quarters.

I've always had realistic stats in 2001 with NLSC tweaked rosters and 12 min quarters.

In 2003 there is this 3rd quarter crazyness, I've noticed that too. You'd be able to play even 12 min quarters if all 4 quarters would be balanced. It seems that sometimes CPU Help turns on for the other team who scores 70% FG in one quarter and 45% in the other three.

I think we have to live with it unfortunately. Hope that sometime someone will be able to isolate this problem from an overall good game.

This is the first NBA title (Live 2003) in which I'm forced to play less than 12 min quarters.

I've always had realistic stats in 2001 with NLSC tweaked rosters and 12 min quarters.

In 2003 there is this 3rd quarter crazyness, I've noticed that too. You'd be able to play even 12 min quarters if all 4 quarters would be balanced. It seems that sometimes CPU Help turns on for the other team who scores 70% FG in one quarter and 45% in the other three.

I think we have to live with it unfortunately. Hope that sometime someone will be able to isolate this problem from an overall good game.

Another italian here!! Hello!

I find Orlando is one of the hardest teams to defend...especailly with T-mac freestylin' down your lane...

What were your Timberwolves' stats?

i like that description....lol.. "freestyling down the lane" ..both he and kobe are guilty of this.

hahah...

..both he and kobe are guilty of this.

And Barnsey, you forgot to add him to the list

Don't play 12min quarter length. I play 7mins quarter length with Z's roster(I edited some), and my result is around 90points per game, steals and turnovers are really not much. I set simulation to 12mins quarter length, which would allow me and the CPUs got around the same points each game.

Yeah, I know reducing quarter length is an option, since the game can usually yield decent results in 28-36 minutes, but I prefer to play a full 48 minute game. This topic isn't a gripe as much as an observation - I found it interesting that the most unrealistic play (in terms of scoring) always occurs in the third quarter. If the Magic's scoring output in the third had been an average of the other three quarters, the final score would have been 105 to something - which would have been fairly realistic, taking into account my careless mistakes and lapses of concentration.

I completely agree with you Andrew. I played some 12 min q games and it was more interesting than ever, with foul troubles, more time for bench players and other. But unfortunately unrealistic scores/rebounds ruined almost all of these games.