I read it as it does the basics of basketball well and is lacking in the more advanced areas of the sport. Aside from the bugs and other documented things it is lacking in like graphics, animations, personality, authenticity, etc., I would say the game is fundamentally sound. The basics of NBA basketball are there.
I personally wouldn't compare the two in this area. The game is also equally shallow in how the AI attacks the offensive game because the paint is so difficult to protect due to the lack of defensive contact. But don't let me answer for you, que.
