Play as DJ Clue
Go into the create-a-player screen and use MIXTAPES as a last name. A message will verify entry. DJ Clue will appear in the free agent pool. Then select the "Sign/Release Player" option to get him on your team.

Play as Ghetto Fabulous
Go into the create-a-player screen and use GHETTOFAB as a last name. A message will verify entry. Ghetto Fabulous will appear in the free agent pool. Then select the "Sign/Release Player" option to get him on your team.

Play as B-Rich
Go into the create-a-player screen and use DOLLABILLS as a last name. A message will verify entry. B-Rich will appear in the free agent pool. Then select the "Sign/Release Player" option to get him on your team.

Play as Busta Rhymes
Go into the create-a-player screen and use FLIPMODE as a last name. A message will verify entry. Busta Rhymes will appear in the free agent pool. Then select the "Sign/Release Player" option to get him on your team.

Play as Hot Karl
Go into the create-a-player screen and use CALIFORNIA as a last name. A message will verify entry. Hot Karl will appear in the free agent pool. Then select the "Sign/Release Player" option to get him on your team.

Play as Just Blaze
Go into the create-a-player screen and use GOODBEATS as a last name. A message will verify entry. Just Blaze will appear in the free agent pool. Then select the "Sign/Release Player" option to get him on your team.

Change salary cap
Note: This cheat involves editing a game file so make a backup copy of the file before going on. Now use a text editor to edit the "salarycap" file in the "\ea sports\nba live 2003\felogic\salary" folder. Edit it to the number you like, You can also edit the top players and the top salaries for players.

Hints & Tips

Easy dunks
When you have possession of the ball, pass it to someone who hase good dunking abilities. You can tell if they are good dunkers when they have the icon with a shoe and lightning. Players like Jerry Stackhouse, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, and Tracy McGrady are good ones. You also need to be sure that your player has good dribbling skills. Now move around near the three point line. Do a few crossovers and spins on your opponent, and he will trip a little. Then, press [Turbo] to make a drive into the basket. Then hold [Shoot] until your player is ready to dunk the ball.

Pump fakes
In order to do a pump fake, tap [Shoot]. Normally when a defender is near you, he will jump and try to block it. While he is in mid-air, shoot the ball and roughly 80% of the time it will goes in because there is no one interfering with your shot. Be sure you do not try to move after doing a pump fake, because you will be called for traveling.

Bypassing tough defenders
If you are attempting to shoot and have a top defender on your player and he will not go for a head fake, take a few dribbles. After that, do another fake and he will normally go flying. This will also can help you draw easier fouls.

Easy fouls
When your opponent is backing you down, press [Taking Charge] to have the CPU to foul you.

Easy freethrows
Pause your game then change the controller setting to the CPU. Resume playing and after the CPU has shot the freethrow, pause the game again and change the controller setting back.

Easy 3 pointers
On defense, obtain a good 3 pointer or even someone that cannot make them often. Then do not move until it is your ball. Just let the other players do the work. When you get the ball, pass it to that person. Do not use turbo or any tricks. Shoot a 3 pointer close up and he will make it.

Tall dunkers
If a player is taller than seven feet they will normally dunk the ball hard on the rim. Even though their dunk rating is 99, they will not be able to do any slam dunks like Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant.

Dunk from the freethrow line Michael Jordan or Julius Irving
While in practice or exhibition mode select either 90's All-Star Michael Jordan or 80's All-Star Julius Irving anytime in a game. Get clear enough to jump from the freethrow line and dunk. Note: This will not work in a one-on-one game.

Shaking the backboard
The backboard and the basket will shake after you do a slam dunk.

Michael Jordan fadeaways
When your playing with Michael Jordan, hold [Left] or [Right] while your shooting the ball. Thismaneuver uses the fadeaway shot that he made famous. The ball will go in roughly 85% of the time when doing fadeaways with Michael Jordan.

Smaller crowds
If you are playing in franchise mode, attempt to stay above .500 in winning percentage. If you go under .500, most of the time fans will stop going to your games.

Older players in franchise mode
Be careful when your signing players over the age of 37. These players usually retire after one or two years.

Signing free agents
If a player refuses to sign with your team, offer him a longer contract.

More players want to sign
If you want more or better players on your team, win a championship. The players will ask for longer term deals, but for 300,000 points.

Sign good free agents when over the salary cap
In the off season of franchise mode, when you have the option to sign free agents, skip it. Select the option to trade players. The game will verify that you want to skip signing free agents. Answer "Yes". If you leave at least four roster spots open, the CPU will automatically sign free agents for you on one year, 30,000 point contracts. The better the year your team has had, the better the players you will receive. Also, the more roster spots you leave open, the more players you will receive.

Slower speed
Change the game type to "Arcade" and select the rules you want for the game. It has a slower game speed and easier control.

Change players ratings
You can change any player ratings in regular season or franchise mode at any time while your team is in the playoffs. Go to "Team Management", then "Edit Player". Select a player on your team and you will be able to choose the "Ratings" option. You can now change that player's ratings in any way you like. You cannot do this in the regular season. You can also change a player's gear any time you like.

Starting in franchise mode
The first thing you need to do when your beginning franchise mode is to release all your minimum salary players that have ratings below 73 to sign other players that have higher ones. For example, if you have Jannero Pargo in your Lakers franchise, he has a salary that is 30,000 points with an overall rating of 72. Release him and sign Tim Hardaway for the same 30,000 value. You will get a better deal because Tim Hardaway has an 80 rating. Attempt to make a strong bench line so that when one of your starters is injured, a good replacement can fill in for that person.

Frame rates
If you notice that your game is running slow after playing awhile, press [Alt] + [Tab] to minimize the game and go to your Desktop. Now click NBA Live 2003 on the menu bar again and it will return to the game. You will now notice that everything is running smoother. You should try this trick every time a quarter ends to keep the game playing with faster frame rates.

Getting good players in franchise mode
There is an easier way to get any players you like in franchise mode and to give them all 99 ratings. Start a season and trade for the players. Now change their ratings as you like. As soon as you have your team, save the game and return to the main menu. Open a franchise and choose the same team that you had in the season. Your team will have every player from the season and their ratings. Save the franchise, then you can delete the season. Note: A few of the better players only have one year left on their contracts. Be sure they play a lot and score well. If you win the championship they may wish to resign.

Franchise mode All-Star game
When your in franchise mode, no player less than 85 in overall rating can be chosen as an All-Star player in the All-Star game in February. The CPU randomly picks players who have high ratings and are on the "League Leaders" list.

Franchise mode trading
If you wish to trade for a player but the team that has him does not want to accept simply change the player you want to trade to the other player's position. Most of the time the team will agree to it. For example, if you have a Lakers franchise and are willing to trade Robert Horry for Ben Wallace but the Pistons will not take your offer, change Robert Horry's position to Center and the Pistons will likely accept. Try to do this trick as often as you can for better trading.