NBA Showdown

Leave the tailgate buffets to the football fatties and let the baseball nerds pore over stats - if you've got a basketball jones, go ahead and scratch that itch by picking up a new NBA video game. Three competing products are hoping for a contract -- NBA Live '09, NBA 2K9 and NBA 09: The Inside -- making it another difficult year for b-ball gamers holding draft rights.

So which of these studs is worth your lottery pick? That depends on the kind of team you're trying to build. Before you sign the wrong game, check out our basketball breakdown:

NBA Live 09

Publisher: EA

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PSP

Scouting Report

Despite a sluggish start on the next-gen consoles -- those first two efforts were as fun as running wind sprints -- EA's best-selling baller got back on track last year, and looks to go even bigger with Live 09. Sacrificing hardcore depth for above-the-rim hops, it emphasizes fast, energetic gameplay for fast, energetic gamers.

Roll The Highlights...

Sick of trying to match your gaming experience to the real deal? Then you'll fall head over heels for Dynamic DNA and NBA Live 365. Using data from official NBA stat tracker Synergy Sports Technology, the game ensures that it will mirror the real-life events of the NBA season by routinely downloading new info. Provided you're online, the game will update itself on a daily basis with every injury, every hot streak, and every trade, even noting subtle changes in the way players play. So if the real D-Wade starts going to his left a lot, his digital counterpart will, too. Improved playcalling, excellent commentary by Marv Albert and Steve Kerr and a ton of modes round out a solid year for a solid player.

That's A Foul!

It's a little hard to tell how the Dynamic DNA thing will work until the season really gets rolling. And few changes to the generally arcadey gameplay itself (translation: it's a dunk fest) keep it from rising above the sim stylings of NBA 2K9.

Sign or trade?

Sign it, especially if you like your basketball games fast and light. The more die-hard aficionados, though, should consider making some cap room for 2K9.