'NBA 2K9' still king of the court, but 'NBA Live' closes gap

— -- It's time to separate the All-Stars from the bench warmers as gaming's trio of National Basketball Association franchises return. Here's how each game stacks up:

NBA 2K9 (2K Sports) (4.5 out of 5)

Their competitors boast innovative features, but NBA 2K9 once again excels where it counts most: On the court.

Veterans will discover a very familiar game. Controls dating as far back as 2K7 remain intact. The biggest difference is the ability to change your shot in mid-air with the Shot Stick. That means players use the right analog stick instead of a button to shoot.

Overall, the game feels smooth and balanced. You can just as easily slow the tempo and run a half-court offense as you can run a fast break. The seamless animations create a very natural looking hoops experience.

Designers have made major improvements with the visuals. Graphics are very crisp. Player models, a weak point in previous seasons, show greater detail. As fatigue sets in, you'll notice players grimace and form beads of sweat.

The other big addition: Living Rosters. Every time you boot up during the NBA season, an online update automatically adds the latest player ratings, injuries and trades. If Carmelo Anthony is on a hot streak, it will reflect in his ratings. An NBA Insider will also take commentary from players to ensure accuracy.

Online expands to add 10-player games and a ranking system to judge your skills. Your most memorable dunks and buzzer beaters can be recorded and uploaded for friends using the 2K Share feature.

One minor drawback might be accessibility to newcomers. Between on-the-fly coach options and mastering your dribbling skills, the controls can look daunting to novices. Also, it's surprising the innovation in control hasn't stretched out to game modes.

It's hard to blame NBA 2K9 for sticking with what's familiar. They've set the rim pretty high.

NBA Live 09 (Electronic Arts) (4 out of 5)

For a time, EA owned the NBA gaming space. Then Live 07 came out. Two years later, the franchise is nipping at 2K's heels with NBA Live 09, an imaginative simulation in need of some on-court tweaking.