NBA LIVE Challenge Update

January 22, 2009

Welcome to the 2009 NBA Live Challenge bought to you by the folks here at EA SPORTS. This year's NBA Live Challenge returns in search of the best NBA Live gamers around the country.  We will travel to 11 regional stops as one finalist from each city will travel to NBA ALL-STAR weekend in Phoenix, AZ for a chance at $20,000 cash and a $5,000 shopping spree with our official retail sponsor Best Buy. 

The EA SPORTS Live Gossip Wire is also back by request to bring you authentic quotes as Commissioner Mike Brown will bring you Q and A coverage with each regional winner.

San Francisco, CA (Sony Metreon)

San Francisco Live Wire:

After a guarantee of early regional victories in Sacramento, the mob continued their dominance of the West Coast.   Marcus "Live Boss" Smith added to his extensive winning resume by taking down fellow camp member "Cali-King" in the San Fran regional championship.  One would think that these guys didn't know each other as hard as they went at it during the game. 



When asked how he felt having to play his fellow camp member before the game, Boss stated that:

Boss: We told you that we're on a mission, my whole camp is tough...we beat up on each other on a daily basis.

Commish: You guys made a bold prediction stating that you would win the first 3 cities, are you all feeling that strong?

Boss: The camp is taking over Cali, don't come out to Cali if you want to win a NBA Live Challenge, because it's not going to happen. The camp is way too strong for anyone right now.  If you plan to travel to Cali, you have to pay your taxes, just stay on the east coast, it's cheaper that way!



Commish:  You're no stranger at paying taxes, after winning in the 2007 Las Vegas NBA Live Challenge and now you're one step closer to the money this year.  What are your thoughts heading into Arizona?

Boss: Our plans are to head into Arizona 4 strong and lock the bracket up providing we don't run into each other early, but we will worry about that when the time comes.

Commish: I'm sure that the twins, Swaggy and Hands, will have something to say about you guys ruling the bracket.

Boss: Shaggy and Hands-down tried but they already know what it is.  During my game with Shaggy earlier today, I was up by 15 points in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter and decided to do a few pushups because I hadn't worked out in a few days.

Commish: I asked your partner J-Swith about falling short last year in New Orleans.  What happened to you during last year's finals?

Boss: Well it finally happened, the Boss lost one...and a big one too.  That wasn't supposed to happen...but it did.  I lost to Ace last year in the first round.  Ace is a great guy and I have a ton of respect for him, now with that being said, I'm waiting for Ace to win one of these cities.  I got my ticket to Arizona today, so I'll be waiting on him for the rematch.  I will admit that Ace had something that no one else had last year and it was my first time seeing it and despite that, I still could have won that game.

Commish: What was so difficult to figure out about Ace last year?

Boss: To be completely honest with you and not taking anything from Ace, it took me too long to adjust to what he was doing in the game. This year, my focus is to adjust quicker in the game. He was also scoring by 4-points each time last year because he was getting fouled almost every play and he still only beat me by 3-points." I'm checking the EA SPORTS boards and forums every day when I get home, waiting on Ace to log, blog, or anything else that he can do. I've been waiting on this matchup since February because I can still hear Roy Stigall's voice in my head when he announced Ace as the #1 NBA Live player in the world. Boy, that still hurts me inside!

Well folks, they don't call him the Boss for nothing, as he continues to back his comments up.  Will Ace win a regional and meet Boss for the anticipated rematch in Arizona? Will the other members of the mob travel to Arizona as guests or competitors?   We've got questions and Boss seems to have all of the answers. 

See you in Los Angeles...Commissioner Brown, signing off!