Great players are made, not born. Sure, some people may have lightning-fast reflexes and quick hands, but what truly sets the winners apart from the wannabes is skill. Skills are learned through practice, dedication, and sometimes a little luck. When you’re ready to claim your crown as the King of the Court in NBA Inside Drive 2004, remember these pearls of wisdom—you’ll thank me later.
Practice What You Preach If you’ve ever played a sport, you are no doubt familiar with practicing. It might seem that your coaches relished the pain and monotony of repetitive drilling. Truth be known, greatness has never occurred by accident—it's a product of hard work. The same is true of NBA Inside Drive 2004; practicing your jump shots, layups, and passing not only hones the basic skills you’ll need to win your games, but also makes the controls an extension of your body. When you’re working on your jump shots, timing is key. Don’t just tap the button like a freak, but hold on until your player reaches the height of his jump. Only then will he execute a graceful shotinstead of an air ball. Listen to Shaq’s words of wisdom when you’re on the practice court. He’ll let you know when you’re doing it right.
Quick reflexes are also essential to responding to the fast-paced nature of the game. When a point guard sneaks his way inside the lane, you have to act fast to close up that gap. Fumbling with buttons will not only slow you down, it will cost you points. Don’t let it happen.
Know Your Role NBA Inside Drive 2004is a load of fun, but it's not an arcade game. This is serious simulation going on here. There’s a reason your forward isn’t making those ambitious three-point shots, and it isn’t his shoes. Check your player stats before the game, and design your play accordingly. Trying to coerce virtual athletes to do your bidding will only go so far. Know each player and position, and work with what you’ve got, using players with a good touch for perimeter shooting and keeping the bruisers down near the paint. Pay attention to the stats. If your point guard has a knack for snatching the ball, make sure that he’s the guy who goes for that crucial, late-game attempted steal. He’ll have better chances than that ham-fisted forward. Great coaches know their players, and court kings know how to handle their team.
Watch the Fouls, Mister I can’t even count how many leads I used to blow because I fouled the ball handler. Next thing you know, they’re nailing free throw after free throw and my nice little scoring gap has vanished. Rather than attack the offense with wild grabs and elbow pokes, focus on your overall defense. Are all the players covered? Are there any weak spots someone can charge through? If things are not to your liking, feel free to tweak the player A.I. in the preferences. Not only will the players behave the way you want them to, but it might just make the difference between winning and losing.
They Call Me Speedy Remember the turbo trigger. Especially on a break away, that turbo function can make the difference between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Players only have so much gas before petering out, but if you use the turbo strategically it will allow you to pull ahead of the pack, and your lane to the bucket will be lined with gold. Dunk it, man! Same goes if you’re on the other side of the equation. As soon as you see that ball start to move toward your basket, get your butt past center court. Stick to the offense like glue, and weave a web of defense with your players.
Now that you’ve learned some basic skills, time to put it to good use. See you on XSN Sports, baby.
