This game was commentated by Don Poier and former NBA player Bob Elliot.

[2][3][4] NextGen said in its final issue, "This Xbox version of EA Sports' hoops series is basically the same game you can find on every other platform – in other words, chock full of uninspiring graphics, plodding gameplay, and clumsy controls.

[7] Dan Elektro of GamePro's January 2002 issue said that the PlayStation 2 version "makes up for last year's missteps and then some.

The gameplay finally matches the graphics, and the result is what basketball fans want and need in a PS2 game.

"[23][b] An issue later, he said that the Xbox version "sets a great standard for Xbox basketball",[24][c] and that the PlayStation version "comes packed with all the gameplay and features you expect: lengthy season modes, a 1-on-1 streetball mode with any player in the league, and create-a-player options.