NBA Live 2003 introduced one of the biggest innovations in basketball game history by mapping dribble moves to the right analog stick. The gameplay is very fast-paced and defense is almost non-existent. It almost feels more like a 5-on-5 NBA Jam than a basketball simulation, but this distinction is actually what makes the game stand out, even today.
The next couple iterations of NBA Live tried to dial things back a bit. Live 2004 and 2005 occupy an awkward middle ground of "not quite a sim, not quite an arcade game" whereas NBA Live 2003 is firmly arcade. It doesn't really feel much like basketball, but it has a strong identity and is fun to play.
Like most arcade sports games, Live 2003 lacks depth and may gets repetitive quickly, but if you are looking for a basketball game where you just run up and down the court and throw down big dunks, this is that game.
The next couple iterations of NBA Live tried to dial things back a bit. Live 2004 and 2005 occupy an awkward middle ground of "not quite a sim, not quite an arcade game" whereas NBA Live 2003 is firmly arcade. It doesn't really feel much like basketball, but it has a strong identity and is fun to play.
Like most arcade sports games, Live 2003 lacks depth and may gets repetitive quickly, but if you are looking for a basketball game where you just run up and down the court and throw down big dunks, this is that game.