Actually, NBA Starting Five was originally NBA 2Night (and 2Night 2002). Then they released NBA Starting Five for the 2003 season. Later they released NBA Starting Five 2005 (Japan-only), which was their best effort. That game had signature animations, accurate faces and accessories and decent on-court action...as well as legend players from the past.
T-Mac was on the cover of NBA 2Night 2002 and NBA Starting Five, then he was on the cover of NBA Shootout 2004. But the games weren't related. NBA SF was made by Konami.
I actually really wanted Konami to team up with another company, and release a basketball title.