NBA Live 97 is a basketball game with an emphasis on realism. You can choose from all of the NBA teams, create a team with players you create yourself, or choose a team formed by the All-Star players of the east or West coasts. When you create a player yourself you can customize the player to a high degree. There are over 60 offensive and 10 defensive set-ups. Match options include an exhibition match, a whole season or the playoffs.