NBA Live 2003 cover boy Jason Kidd is happy with his look. He's still working on his skills.

	Don't mess with Kidd on the cyber court either.

PICKING SIDES: If I can't be the Nets, I'm somebody in the West. I can't be the Knicks. I have to beat up on them. I'm playing the game right now and winning against the Knicks, 42-39.

FASHION INPUT: This summer, I looked over the game and made sure they had the Afros just right and of course, I checked the shorts. You can't play the game with guys wearing short shorts. I looked over the old school jerseys, too. Have to have old school jerseys and wristbands. I was most impressed with how realistic the headbands and tattoos are. And I was very happy with my look. Better than the real thing. I wish I was that guy.

SAFE PLAY: It's very similar to the real thing on the court. Lots of physical contact during the game. You can play an aggressive game, but the good thing is that even when you're having a tough day, no stitches are required. No one gets hurt.

INTER-NOT: I haven't played any games online. I prefer the old fashioned way of playing video games. The trash talking just isn't the same when you're typing smack instead of yelling it at the person beside you. That's all too hi tech for me. Besides, I'm beatable at any video game. It would be embarrassing to be beaten by a little kid who's logged on. At least when I play with someone in the same room as me, I can pick and choose my opponents.

PLAY 'MATE: Kenyon Martin and I play each other every week during the season. Kenyon always picks the Nets before I get a chance to, so it ends up that we're always playing the Nets against the Nets. I've played against some other NBA players, but Gary Payton and Brian Shaw are the two guys who are better than the rest. They've killed me every time. They're pros.

BUST A MOVE: With the new NBA Live, you have freestyle control, so you can actually move your thumb now from the left to the right to imitate an actual crossover. Mine's still better on the court. I don't have great thumb reflexes.

FAN FRENZY: The fans are a little more mellow than they are when you're actually playing in the NBA. They're just sitting back enjoying the game in NBA Live. Nothing too crazy. With the fans not messing with your concentration, you have no reason to miss a shot in this game.