Pre-game introductions look very much like a real game, and even include team logos flashed across the court in lights just like the real thing. Sound effects on the court are very good. Commentary is provided by Don Poier and Reggie Theus, and while it does the job acceptably is not as lively as that in, say, NBA Inside Drive 2000. Crowd noise is very well done, reacting very realistically to the action on the court. The game interface is very gamepad-oriented.
Response time is quick and control is configurable.
A number of actions are possible, including fakes and direct shots. Keyboard control is also available, but I wouldn't recommend it due to the higher level of flexibility that a gamepad provides. On the downside, I miss the mouse control that I had in NBA Inside Drive 2000. For me, the mouse if the most flexible and accurate controller possible, and I prefer using it to a gamepad. What is available in the game works very well, but I always feel that I have much more control using a mouse.