While the graphics are certainly better than other Midway NBA games on other platforms, they are nowhere near the quality one would expect for a PS2 title. Even more surprising is the horrible texture maps for the players. NBA Live 2001 on the PS2 featuring photo realistic players and faces you have to wonder why the players in NBA Hoopz look so bad . Some of the players are almost unidentifiable. They also seem to be constructed from far fewer polygons than players in other sports titles giving them a very blocky look.
Sound effects are weak and often very buggy.
The commentary is weak and often delivered too early, late, or not at all. Even normal game noises seem to be muted or non-existent. This could be a bug related to the camera angle since noises are louder and more plentiful in the instant replays. The music from previous Midway NBA games has always rocked, but Hoopz doesn't offer one catchy tune. Instead, they opted for some easy-listening pop music that blends into the background and is soon lost and forgotten.