Atlanta Hawks
Alpha – Anfernee Hardaway
At 6-7 as a point guard, with the ability to score from anywhere on the court, and the strength to take a beating, Penny is by far the best player in the game.
Complementary Crew – Ben Wallace, Grant Hill
Pairing penny with grant hill will probably not be the popular choice here. Ben Wallace brings strength and defense and rebounding. The combo of big ben and penny is a team that will hardly ever get knocked down to accumulate injuries in the game.
Cheat Code: THATMAGICMOMENT
Everybody on the court will have a top dribbling and passing rating for that game; however, one player chosen at random will not be able to play the following game due to an aids flair up.
Toronto Raptors
Alpha – Chauncey Billups
This choice might be a surprise to some, but Billups game just carries over better to NBA Jam world. He has the dribbling ability to get past people and distribute. He is a top steals guy. He, also, has a 100 rating on three points, which is deadly in the game.
Complementary Crew – Michael Finley, Elton Brand
No knock on Michael Finley, he is a great player too. He can score from inside and outside and will be a force to recon with. Pairing him and Billups up could be a great three point team. Elton Brand can finish at the rim, but he doesn’t provide as much rim protection as other teams have.
Cheat Code: FLORENCEONSPEEDDIAL
This cheat code allows the Raptors to have Florence Nightingale on the sidelines, which prevents any of their players from having injuries.
Chicago Bulls
Alpha – Tim Thomas
A big guy that has a 100 rating on threes? Yes, please! He could be the top scorer on the court for either team every game. Only issue, he doesn’t bring any rim protection
Complementary Crew – Kobe Bryant, Mike Bibby
With Thomas as the big guy, we brought in Bibby as the dribbler. His quickness and ability to jack up threes will make him a valuable asset on the NBA Jam court. This leaves Kobe as the odd player out. He just doesn’t have the handles/passing to be the main guard or the size to be the main big. There is one thing that is not questioned: Kobe is a scorer.
Cheat Code: HANDCUFFSONFIRE
Each time Kobe passes the ball on the offensive side of the court to a team mate, he automatically gets rewarded with fire for that one possession encouraging him to actually get his teammates involved.
Cleveland Caveliers
Alpha – Allen Iverson
Iverson’s 100 quickness and 97 jump will be an array of highlight reel dunks from the point guard position.
Complementary Crew – Latrell Sprewell, Shawn Bradley
Sprewell is a natural scorer with the ability to shoot the deep ball which is a key in NBA Jam. He also has ball handing abilities which is rare for someone his size. Speaking of size. Shawn Bradley brings an elite rim protection to the game that we don’t see very often in the league. Only downside, he is susceptible to getting dunked on which is an increase of injuries for Bradley.
Cheat Code: ISWAYNEBRADYGONNAHAVETOCHOKEABITCH?
Latrell Sprewell chokes the opposing teams headcoach at the beginning of the fourth quarter disabling the other team from being able to catch fire for the remainder of the game.
Detroit Pistons
Alpha – Jason Terry
This steal driven, three first point guard is exactly what a point guard should be in this game. He brings the ability to play on both ends of the court.
Complementary Crew – Brian Grant, James Posey
This complementary crew isn’t exactly scaring anyone offensively, but the power, rebounding and blocking from Grant combed with the shut down ability of Posey is quite a threat defensively.
Cheat Code: THREESONFIRE
Reggie Miller appears as a fourth player option to play with. He has 100 rating on threes and steals.
Indiana Pacers
Alpha – Paul Pierce
The Truth is the team here. He is going to have to handle all of the scoring ability. Good thing he has the prowess to do so.
Complementary Crew – Brian Skinner, Brevin Knight
These two players are simply on the court for rim protection and dribbling ability respectively. Knight also has a really high steal rating.
Cheat Code: WHEELCHAIRBASKETBALL
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Paul Pierce overcomes all of his injuries and plays like it is the start of the game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Alpha – Ron Artest
This three and D specialist creates havoc on both ends of the court with just enough quickness and strength to work through the opponents defense
Complementary Crew – David Wesley, Amare Staudemire
In his elder years, Wesley has lost a step, but he is still a good distributor and defender that can make shots when asked upon. Amare, with his 100 jump, will be the rim protector and finisher at the basket. Look for big showings from this young gun.
Cheat Code: BANGOTHEBUCK
All players have the Bango the Buck mascot head on for the entire game, which increases the jump by 10 rating and also makes it impossible to simply steal the ball from the player due to the horns being in the way.
Charlotte Hornets
Alpha – Jamaal Mashburn
As the best player on his team, Mashburn is primarily an inside scorer with a better than average ability to hit a three pointer.
Complementary Crew – Shammond Williams, Keon Clark
Shammond has quickness to get past most players and a decent three point shot. With an 81 block, Keon Clark is the rim protector needed in NBA Jam.
Cheat Code: THEPARISHLINE
Robert Parish becomes a playable character on this team, immediately improving the rim protection and inside scoring.