To quote Gamepro, NBA 2K3 is "the best B-ball in the biz"

The NBA playoffs on TV are usually the closest one can get to great basketball without a ticket. NBA 2K3 changes all of that by sporting the best sporting graphics ever seen. The graphics are better than the stellar visuals of 2K2, and the sound is beefed up by new commentary by the same great two-man crew. On the gameplay side, 2K3 has the exclusive ESPN overlays and presentation, which creates an even more authentic experience. The franchise mode is the deepest around, and it actually puts you in the front office, at the draft, and in the glory. NBA 2K3 features pressure sensitive controls and beautiful animations too. If you like seeing Jermaine O'Neal or Dirk Nowitzki executing a flawless fadeaway or like to feel the pressure of late game free throws 2K3 is for you. If you would rather see Vlade Divac doing 360-reverse dunks over triple coverage by 7-footers, you may want NBA Live or a Total Recall.