Top 10 NBA Live 06 Hints and Tips (Xbox, Xbox 360)

NBA Live '06 is a game released on the XBOX 360, XBOX, Gamecube, and the Playstation 2. It is the second newest EA Sports Basketball Game, the newest being NBA Live '07. In the game, you can choose to play Dynasty mode, Season mode, Playoffs mode, or Free Play Mode. In Dynasty Mode, you choose one team (excluding the All Star Teams) and you run a dynasty. This means you have to play through multiple seasons. You can decide the number of matches per season and the difficulty. You can also trade players away and hire new players along with coaches. You can simulate games, so you don't have to play.

1. When playing a full season with injuries enabled, consider resting your starters once you've locked up a playoff spot. You don't want your big guns to go down before the big game.

2. If your opponent isn't locking down your best player with double teams and constant pressure, that player should take most of your shots. Run plays designed to get him open in the strongest phase of his game. For example, if he's a pure shooter, run pick or screen plays that will get him open looks.

3. If your opponent does lock down your best player with double teams, look for the extra pass. Let the double team converge, and then pass the ball to whoever's open.

4. Sometimes, your best starting lineup is not the five players with the highest average ratings. For example, if your dominant player is a big man, he'll often get double-teamed down low. When that happens, you'll want to kick the ball out for an open three. But that won't work if your guards can't hit a long jump shot! Put a three-point specialist on the court to fix the situation, even if he's not one of your best guards.

5. When playing defense, understand your match-up. If you're controlling a slow player, and you're forced to defend a speedster, back off. Give him space and dare him to hit the open shot. He may hit it, but that's ok; if you play too close, he'll blow right by you for a guaranteed score.

6. Be judicious in your alley-oop attempts. These are spectacular plays when they work, but your target needs a clear, unblocked path to the hoop. Otherwise, the pass won't connect, and the result is an ugly turnover.

7. Backing down an opponent can be very effective, but watch your defender. You can usually bump him once or twice, but after that he's likely to get his feet set, and ramming into him again will draw a charging call. When your defender is set, use a spin move, an up-and-under move, or a short hook shot instead of bulling in and risking the foul.

8. Pump fakes are often overlooked. It's always best to shoot a completely open shot, but when that's not possible, it's almost as good to use a pump fake. Human opponents almost always buy the fake; when they leap, time your shot so you're going up as the defender is coming down. AI players don't bite on fakes as often, but you can sometimes freeze them with a fake; then they won't jump at all when you take the actual shot.

9. Focus your in-season training on younger players who can benefit the most. Once a player has been in the league ten years or more, his training gains lessen. Consider a ten-year or twelve-year player a "final product," and work with younger players instead.

10.If you have a few excellent players, and then a sharp drop-off in talent, you need to get your best players on the floor. For example: Let's say you swing a blockbuster trade, and now you've got Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett on the same team. They're both power forwards, and both incredibly talented. Move one of them to center or small forward, so they can both play big minutes.

Here's an All-Star contest from 2006. Great competition, great tricks: