NBA 2K12 News Post

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

12:00 PM - 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

# 241 youvalss @ 07/22/11 02:06 AM

This could have been a GREAT trailer for the game...

# 242 DJ @ 07/22/11 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youvalss


	I just hope they have captured Magic's not-so-athletic/funny-yet-efficiant - layups...you probably know what I'm talking about. No other player had those moves. I loved seeing Magic laying it in over more athletic players without jumping much. Same goes for Bird.

Me too. 2K11 had a couple of Magic-esque layups in there. I'd like to see his pass where he'd kick one leg up and throw it one-handed.

# 243 youvalss @ 07/22/11 02:09 AM

Oh yeah!! Those amazing passes...it would be so SWEET!!!!!!!!!

# 244 mkharsh33 @ 07/22/11 02:11 AM

How much of an impact do you guys think the high number of downloads & high ratings of the classic rosters on 2K share has on decisions from Ronnie's end?? Do you think they note the popularity of these roster file at 2K, and does that have any bearing on their decisions (or are they oblivious to the 2k downloads)??

# 245 DJ @ 07/22/11 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	How much of an impact do you guys think the high number of downloads & high ratings of the classic rosters on 2K share has on decisions from Ronnie's end?? Do you think they note the popularity of these roster file at 2K, and does that have any bearing on their decisions (or are they oblivious to the 2k downloads)??

I'd like to think it had some impact. You and PB went nuts this year.

# 246 mkharsh33 @ 07/22/11 02:25 AM

I prefer this one...

NBA 1986 - Jordan vs Bird ( Chicago Bulls -... by LE_MAGNETOSCOPE

# 247 VDusen04 @ 07/22/11 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	How much of an impact do you guys think the high number of downloads & high ratings of the classic rosters on 2K share has on decisions from Ronnie's end?? Do you think they note the popularity of these roster file at 2K, and does that have any bearing on their decisions (or are they oblivious to the 2k downloads)??

That's an interesting question. I always kind of wondered where 2K drew their "fan influence" from. I don't want to overstate it, but I have to imagine someone over there was able to take some sort of note of how the classic theme seemed to blow up both here at OperationSports, and also on 2KShare. I'd like to think our deep interest here at least helped reaffirm ideas they may have already had for fleshing out the classic system.

# 248 23 @ 07/22/11 03:03 AM

Magic tweets

MagicJohnson
Earvin Magic Johnson
Was trending worldwide today. Thanks to all my tweople for their support. I am blessed.

MagicJohnson
Earvin Magic Johnson
Jordan was the greatest in the air & Larry the greatest on the ground (because he can't jump-ha).

MagicJohnson
Earvin Magic Johnson
Jordan & Bird - 2 greatest to ever play! So honored to be on the @2KSports 2K12 cover w/ them! http://say.ly/Tmxw2E

# 249 Redskinsfan26 @ 07/22/11 03:05 AM

Not really what I wanted but I know this is 2k sports so they know what they are doing

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 250 sportjames23 @ 07/22/11 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	In my regard, I'm always a fan of user-created historic rosters, but for console users, it's tough to beat the official inclusion of historic teams. Therefore, I'm a little excited about the prospect of having more historic teams and subsequently more historic arenas (or at least court art and/or jerseys) at our disposal. For instance, it'd be nice if the 1991 Warriors (unlocked with a preorder) came with their actual court design, like all the classic teams did last year. Further, it's just more agreeable with me to have teams featuring real players. For instance, a lot of the classic teams and seasons created for 2K11 by users wouldn't have been nearly as awesome without the ability to use a real MJ, Scottie, Jud Buechler, Hersey Hawkins, or James Worthy. I thought the 2K11 classic rosters far eclipsed the 2K10 rosters due to that aspect alone. So I view the cover and very early news as an indicator that maybe we'll see even more of that (think a real Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway and Sarunas). I understand a lot of folks are totally fine with using generic classic players with teams on current courts that look nothing like the actual classic floors, and it works for me in a pinch, but I sure like the idea of things getting a little more official in that regard.

As much as I like some of the user-created content out there, I gotta agree with you here. Nothing compares to having the actual players likeness in the game, from the biggest names to the scrubs. I'd rather see, say, the real Jack Haley than a user-created Jack Haley.

# 251 sportjames23 @ 07/22/11 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youvalss


	This could have been a GREAT trailer for the game...

This. This right here.

# 252 MachoMyers @ 07/22/11 05:07 AM

Awesome. The more classic teams the better. I just hope they have all the subs as well. I will gladly buy the PS3 AND PC version of this game. Worth every penny in my mind.

# 253 KyotoCarl @ 07/22/11 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youvalss


	This could have been a GREAT trailer for the game...

Isn't this music just the best!

# 254 mlp111 @ 07/22/11 08:58 AM

so sounds like this rumor is turning out to be true
http://www.kanyetothe.com/forum/index.php?topic=81156.0

# 255 wrestlinggod1 @ 07/22/11 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlp111


	so sounds like this rumor is turning out to be true http://www.kanyetothe.com/forum/index.php?topic=81156.0

Hmm I don't know about that one

# 256 Goffs @ 07/22/11 09:17 AM

damn...im ready for some vids....when is Gamescon going to start?

# 257 KyotoCarl @ 07/22/11 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlp111


	so sounds like this rumor is turning out to be true http://www.kanyetothe.com/forum/index.php?topic=81156.0

Right now, still a rumor. There's no 80's Lakers or Celtics teams in there, and the 91 Warriors and 01 Kings aren't on the list. Also, the 2000's teams aren't all very interesting so it looks uneccessary. Why would the 2006 Suns be in the game? Just becaue Nash was the MVP? That doesn't make it automatically fun to play with.

Most probably, that list is wishful thinking, and not even that wishful. Why wish for a bunch of teams that played as recently as 2006?

# 258 wrestlinggod1 @ 07/22/11 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyotoCarl


	Right now, still a rumor. There's no 80's Lakers or Celtics teams in there, and the 91 Warriors and 01 Kings aren't on the list. Also, the 2000's teams aren't all very interesting so it looks uneccessary. Why would the 2006 Suns be in the game? Just becaue Nash was the MVP? That doesn't make it automatically fun to play with. Most probably, that list is wishful thinking, and not even that wishful. Why wish for a bunch of teams that played as recently as 2006?

IMO the ONLY reason why that team being put in would be kind of believable is because with Magic being on the cover, I would think that 2K vastly improved the fastbreak game. And we all know haw fast that Suns team played.

# 259 KyotoCarl @ 07/22/11 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrestlinggod1


	IMO the ONLY reason why that team being put in would be kind of believable is because with Magic being on the cover, I would think that 2K vastly improved the fastbreak game. And we all know haw fast that Suns team played.

That would be a cool reason, but not really enough, in my mind. However, since most players on that team still plays, it's an easy edit job to make them younger.

Personally, I think the timeframe is too close. 80's-90's teams makes more sense because of the nostalgia factor/hall of famers/rivalries.

# 260 sportjames23 @ 07/22/11 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyotoCarl


	Right now, still a rumor. There's no 80's Lakers or Celtics teams in there, and the 91 Warriors and 01 Kings aren't on the list. Also, the 2000's teams aren't all very interesting so it looks uneccessary. Why would the 2006 Suns be in the game? Just becaue Nash was the MVP? That doesn't make it automatically fun to play with. Most probably, that list is wishful thinking, and not even that wishful. Why wish for a bunch of teams that played as recently as 2006?

Exactly. They can go pick up NBA 2K6 if they want the 2006 Suns.

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