NBA 2K12 News Post

NBA 2K12 Cover Athletes - Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

11:00 AM - July 21, 2011 by Steve_OS

Jordan Returns: 2K Sports Announces
Trio of NBA® 2K12 Covers Featuring Three NBA Icons

Michael Jordan, joined by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson,
to grace three unique artistic covers in celebration of NBA legacy

New York, NY – July 21, 2011 – 2K Sports announced today that NBA® 2K12, the next installment of the top-rated and best-selling NBA video game simulation franchise*, will offer three separate covers for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft featuring three of the NBA’s greatest legends of all time, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The new stylized NBA 2K12 covers are a unique, one-time departure from the traditional 2K Sports brand artwork, and will spotlight each legendary athlete on his famous team: the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. The covers featuring Bird and Johnson will be available at launch in a limited quantity.

A new feat in sports gaming, this three-part collection extends the strong legacy established by NBA 2K11, which has sold-in more than 5 million units worldwide and garnered over 20 video game accolades, including 14 ‘Sports Game of the Year’ honors.

“Bringing Michael Jordan to the virtual hardwood last year was a huge success for NBA 2K11; however, we didn’t want to stop there,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re bringing ‘His Airness’ back to the NBA 2K franchise as part of a multi-year extended partnership, along with two other legendary icons – Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – for a special cover athlete collection representing the NBA’s greatest heroes.”

The unprecedented, stylized artwork covers underscore 2K Sports’ passion for bringing fans authentic NBA basketball across generations, while celebrating the legacy of legendary hoops athletes, past and present.

The cover artwork for NBA 2K12 was created by Adam Larson of Adam&Co. Larson has created dynamic artwork for galleries, magazines and various product advertising campaigns. His work has received numerous honors, including the Kelly Awards, Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, and two primetime Emmy nominations

NBA 2K12 can now be pre-ordered from leading video game retailers nationwide, and will be available on October 4, 2011, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360, Wii™ system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Windows PC.

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Member Comments

# 181 DJ @ 07/21/11 04:21 PM

The pre-order bonus is a GREAT start towards realizing my dream of 30 classic teams in the game. I'm stoked that Run-TMC will be represented and that Sacramento team was nasty as well.

I'm for sure pre-ordering for BOTH the 360 and PS3. I'll probably get the Magic cover for the 360, Bird for the PS3 and when the price goes down, I'll pick up a Jordan copy for the 360.

Just when I thought I was good and settled in with 2K11 for another year or two, 2K ups the ante. The next few weeks/months are going to be very interesting as more news about the game is released.

# 182 JSensui @ 07/21/11 04:25 PM

Why was Ronnie hyping this cover as if it was going to be a total shocker? People have been saying Bird/Magic since last year.

# 183 Da_Czar @ 07/21/11 04:30 PM

I Love the Covers as other have said why not go green and purple on Bird and Magic tho.

For the newcomers who liked 2k11 and are concerned about a lack of focus don't be.

To the old heads don't get yourself worked up into a lather over who's included and who isn't we do this every year and are then disappointed at what should actually be great news.

# 184 23 @ 07/21/11 04:31 PM

This does all make me wonder what theyre up to when EA's basketball game returns..

This is just the cover though, might not even be the biggest news although it is pretty big. This kinda stuff hits the USA today and different things

# 185 mkharsh33 @ 07/21/11 04:31 PM

Just read a number of these posts. For me, it's gonna be really hard to top 2k11. I have all the classic rosters I need and a LOT of time was put into them (and more work to be done on them once the REDitor drops). I LOVE this year's game, so I'm not sure a cover will sell me even though I'd go gay for Larry Bird.

# 186 DJ @ 07/21/11 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Czar


	I Love the Covers as other have said why not go green and purple on Bird and Magic tho. For the newcomers who liked 2k11 and are concerned about a lack of focus don't be. To the old heads don't get yourself worked up into a lather over who's included and who isn't we do this every year and are then disappointed at what should actually be great news.

I know the Sim Nation leader is loving the cover announcement. I am in agreement on the colors and who knows, maybe they will tweak them a bit before launch?

PortlandBlazer and MKHarsh33 worked their butts off to produce nearly 2 decades' worth of classic rosters for NBA 2K11; I'm sure they'd appreciate a little help from 2K by adding more legends to 2K12

# 187 SimBaller @ 07/21/11 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWiLL02


	!!! Now I MUST pre-order.

It's ACTUALLY the 2001-02 Kings team, not the 2000-01 team. This gets you Webber, Divac, Bibby, Peja, Hedo, Bobby Jackson, Doug Christie, G-Force, Scot Pollard, and...Funderburke if my memory serves me correctly.

# 188 23 @ 07/21/11 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Czar


	I Love the Covers as other have said why not go green and purple on Bird and Magic tho. For the newcomers who liked 2k11 and are concerned about a lack of focus don't be. To the old heads don't get yourself worked up into a lather over who's included and who isn't we do this every year and are then disappointed at what should actually be great news.

Im calm... still working with portlandblazer and mkharsh's retro rosters

Had a wonderful time losing with AI's sixers to the T-Wolves

# 189 VDusen04 @ 07/21/11 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimBaller


	It's ACTUALLY the 2001-02 Kings team, not the 2000-01 team. This gets you Webber, Divac, Bibby, Peja, Hedo, Bobby Jackson, Doug Christie, G-Force, Scot Pollard, and...Funderburke if my memory serves me correctly.

Still awesome, even without Jason Williams.

Watched that team play L.A. at my prom dinner. There's even a picture of me craning my neck backward, ignoring my girl, so I could catch some second quarter action on the big screen.

# 190 RedSceptile @ 07/21/11 04:46 PM

Hey as long as 2K decides to add a Prime Tract McGrady dunk package (or the ability to pass the ball of the backboard to yourself specifically I'll be more than happy)

# 191 jeebs9 @ 07/21/11 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSceptile


	Hey as long as 2K decides to add a Prime Tract McGrady dunk package (or the ability to pass the ball of the backboard to yourself specifically I'll be more than happy)

I thought you could do that this year....jk

# 192 ifriedrice @ 07/21/11 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimBaller


	It's ACTUALLY the 2001-02 Kings team, not the 2000-01 team. This gets you Webber, Divac, Bibby, Peja, Hedo, Bobby Jackson, Doug Christie, G-Force, Scot Pollard, and...Funderburke if my memory serves me correctly.

Wow. That team was loaded, probably more than the Lakers were at the time. Only thing LAL had on them was that their two A players were better than the Kings two A players. Everyone else, I'd take the Kings for all match ups.

Now we just have to patiently wait until the list of classic teams comes out to get the scope of how far 2K has reached with 2K12.

# 193 Yankees_CT @ 07/21/11 05:00 PM

So glad that they brought Jordan back again! Very happy to see him gracing the cover as well. I thought I was going to have to hold on to 2k11 forever just because I may have never seen him in another title again. As long as they keep improving gameplay and adding to their fantastic presentation they get my money again. This and "The Show" are a sure thing every year - only games I can say that about.

# 194 Vast @ 07/21/11 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	It is a smart move considering the lockout. I still would like to see a Rose/Jordan cover, them standing back to back. And even I hate the Bulls.

I dont get it. Why should Rose be on the cover with Jordan?? Cuz he won an MVP award?

A Dirk and Bird cover would blow that away imo.

# 195 uofmf4life @ 07/21/11 05:06 PM

So what do they do next year?

Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk

# 196 The Big Squeezy @ 07/21/11 05:08 PM

I must get a Magic Johnson cover

# 197 DickDalewood @ 07/21/11 05:23 PM

I'll definitely go the Jordan route. Sick cover.

# 198 Bellsprout @ 07/21/11 05:23 PM

Those are some really ugly covers. The background's red on all of them, and they decided to make them look like comic book characters for some reason.

# 199 cjallure24 @ 07/21/11 05:25 PM

It says the Magic and Larry will be in limited quantity....since the price tag isn't that high on the PC, I'm going to try and snag both.

# 200 LingeringRegime @ 07/21/11 05:32 PM

Don't see how anyone can complain about the choice of these three.

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