Practice courts:
Type playground at any screen before game play begins to play at the night court or the day practice court.
Use Legends in rosters:
Go to Trade Players, and trade a Legend to a team without a replacement. You cannot trade a non-Legend player to a Legend, or put a non-Legend player in the Legend pool. You can only select a Legend and trade him to the team without a replacement to the Legend pool. You do not need to unlock him by defeating him 1-on-1 in Superstar mode.
All-Decade Team players:
There is a set of five All-Decade Teams (1950’s through 1990’s), and all of the players on those teams can be unlocked to become available to put on any desired roster. In order to achieve that for each player, the game will give you hints as to how this may be done. Michael Jordan, for instance (as well as for Wilt Chamberlain and one other player from the 1950’s team), can be unlocked by beating Michael Jordan with any player in the superstar level in the game’s one-on-one mode. If there is a way to unlock players by achieving certain performances in a single game, the easiest way to do that is to use a great team (like the All-Decade Teams) against a poor one (like the Chicago Bulls). For seasonal achievements, just work your way through it. All the achievements can be achieved, but if you want to win by a lot over a team, do not try to make 15 ‘threes’ or pick up 30 assists in a game — just play up-tempo basketball. If you try to make the achievements, watch yourself because you also have to win the game to unlock the legends.
How to defeat Isaiah Thomas:
Get fifteen steals in a game in superstar mode to unlock him on the roster.
Use a good point guard (preferably) with quick hands (Iverson, Kidd, Payton, Stoudamire, Brandon, and Knight are probably the best). Follow the ball. There are times when you can strip someone off the dribble, but that may be difficult (Kidd and Isaiah Thomas do that the best). The easiest way is to strip a player trying to post-up down low, and your guard (the player you are controlling) comes on the double-team; but wait until the post player starts his dribble. You will steal the ball a lot by doing this.
Scott
How to defeat Michael Jordan:
Defeat Michael Jordan one on one in superstar mode to unlock him on the roster.
Although the following trick can be done with any point total to win, 11 is probably the best. Choose Jeff Hornacek to play against Michael Jordan. After getting the ball, just shoot three-pointers. Michael will not guard you until your start to make a lot of shots or get a big lead. When he does start to guard, back up a few feet from the three point line and shoot the ball. He will not guard and you can still make the basket. Note: Make sure to release ball at the top of your jump. Jeff Hornacek will not always make it, so only shoot the three-pointer on every other shot. He should make about 90% if he shoots every other shot. Try to drive on every possession when you do not shoot a three.
Use Willis Reed. Back Jordan into the lane, and then shoot within five inches of the basket. Jordan cannot block Reed, and Reed can also use a deadly jumper if he is less than 25 feet from the hoop.
Use Oscar Robertson, since he is a good all-around player, could can shoot and post-up.
Create a player that is very tall, with 99 in all attributes. Just post up and shoot three pointers.
Use John Stockton. After getting the ball, move back a little and shoot 3-pointers. Shoot the ball at the top of your jump. When playing defense, just defend the best that you can.
Use Reggie Miller and drain threes. If your friend creates a 7’10” monster and you cannot get a shot off, use Miller again. As soon as you get the ball, run backwards a step and fling a deep fadeaway – or drive in and back him down as far as you can. Instead of letting the ball go at the peak of your jump, let go as soon as you can and the ball will go through his chest.
Use a good three point shooter (preferably Jeff Hornaceck). Put the score on eleven. Make sure that you go first — keep trying until you do. When playing, fake Jordan once then lean forward on your jump. At the height of your jump, fire. If done correctly, he will almost always make it. Repeat this until you get within one point of the win, then drive to the hoop to win.
Easy scoring:
Start a one-on-one game with a friend. Pump fake to get him/her to jump. Then, just go right around your opponent with a spectacular dunk or nasty nice lay-up.
Easy steals:
In the main menu, go to “Rules” and check out everything. Lower the defensive fouls and foul outs to zero. During game play, get in front of a person and do a handcheck. The ball will come loose, allowing you to easily get more than 15 steals.
3-point baskets:
To get fifteen 3-point baskets in a game, your best players to do this are very streaky, but decent shooters (Bird, Rick Barry, Iverson, Glen Rice, Tim Hardaway, etc.). Many times with these players, you can either kick it out to them from the low post and shoot, or (which is better most times), if you are going on the fast break, pull-up from 3 point range. You still have to shoot at the top of your jump, but with streaky shooters, you have a great chance of hitting several in a row, even if you do not shoot from the top of your jump.
To unlock Larry Bird you need to get at least 20 points in the 3-Point Shoot Out in Superstar. Try using Glenn Rice from the Lakers, or John Stockton from the Jazz. Use as many chances as you can get — set it up for 8.
Create a player that has 99 percent three pointers and the shooting range to 21 feet. During game play, hold [Shoot] when he jumps. When he is coming back, release [Shoot]. Note:It is more accurate to do a fade away jumper.
Triple-Double:
Try getting the Triple-Double with points, assists, and steals.
Create a player that is 7’10” and around 270-280 pounds. Make him a point guard with 99 in all attributes. He should be able to rebound, block shots, steal, score, and dish out assists very well. You should be able to get more than one legend by getting the fifteen steals and thirty assists.
Recommended created player:
Create a player that is 7’0 with all stats set to 99. Someone who is that height can rebound and block more with ease. He will also be able to shoot 3 pointers better than the rest of the team. With this player you should average15 to 30 rebounds and 10 to 20 blocks a game.
97 rated player:
Go to the create a player, and set his height, weight and clothes to anything desired. Enter the following stats. If done correctly he will be ranked a 97 overall, higher than any other player in the game, including Michael Jordan.
Offensive Awareness: 99
Defensive Awareness: 99
Dribbling: 99
Passing: 90
Shot Range: 25ft (or any)
Inside Scoring: 99
Field Goals (FG): 99
3 Pointers: 99
Free Throws (FT): 50
Dunking: 50
Defensive Rebounds: 50
Offensive Rebounds: 50
Stealing: 99
Blocking: 80
Quickness: 99
Fatigue: 50
Jumping: 99
Strength: 50
Clutch: 50
Speed: 99
98 rated player:
Go to create a player mode and set the player info and appearance of the player to anything desired. Set the player’s position to Small Forward. Then, set the Ratings as follows:
Offensive Awareness: 99
Defensive Awareness: 99
Dribbling: 99
Passing: 99
Shooting Range: 25′ (or any)
Inside Scoring: 99
Field Goals(FG): 99
3 Pointers: 99
Free Throws(FT): 99
Dunking: 65
Defensive Rebounds: 99
Offensive Rebounds: 99
Stealing: 50
Blocking: 99
Quickness: 50
Fatigue: 50
Jumping: 50
Strength: 50
Clutch: 50
Speed: 50