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

# 141 23 @ 07/21/11 03:33 PM

No doubt except in this case, i was most likely going to get it anyway, so it doesnt matter to me lol

# 142 aloncho11 @ 07/21/11 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	I see both sides of the discussion. However, I think we can be thankful in knowing that we'll be able to count on gameplay being improved regardless of which teams are going to be included this year. The actual gaming aspect is going to be better (barring some weird ESPN NBA Basketball 2004 disaster). And I also believe there's no chance current teams and players won't also see large improvements (we've already heard about Dirk's rumored aesthetic and signature upgrades). So therefore, I'd treat the classic teams as additions to product rather than a direction change. I don't think anything's going to happen where 2K is going to be like "Well, we didn't really touch the 2012 Pistons because we decided to focus on classic teams instead." I think it's rather going to be "We made our game awesomer (yes, awesomer) in more aspects than a lot of people were expecting. Instead of only making fans of the current league happy - or fans of the past - we decided to spread our wings as far as possible." I think a change of direction would be Nike stopping their shoe production and focusing on basketball shorts. Instead, they just kind of branched out to appease more folk. 2K's not eliminating currents, they're just willing to appease more folk, and that's awesome to me. On top of everything else, it was likely a safe bet for these guys to go retro this year with the lockout looming about. It's a solid business maneuver.

Right on. Also most people don't realize that many of the new features, like the signature revamps of Dirk and other players are already in 2K11, so the dev team have only polished them for 2K12...meaning more time for improving other aspects of the game or including classic challenges. There's no such thing as wasted efforts or wasted time IMO.

If you guys don't believe me, try a little experiment ingame.

Go to manage rosters, look for the Mavs and edit Dirk Nowitzki's shots to:

Jumper: R.Rondo

Fadeaway: Snoop Dog

Free Throw: B.Roy

# 143 laroche360 @ 07/21/11 03:39 PM

anyone who doesn't want classic teams don't know anything about basketball,2k made a really Smart
move by going with those legends,look at the last sales worldwide they speak for themselves..I can understand the argument with Dirk ,cause he was the MVp,but other than him,who else should have they taken?lebron or Dwight Howard,why going with a bunch of underachievers,when u have the G.O.A.T still outta there?he's still appealing to the fans..so shut up and enjoy the game,I already feel more classic teams..damn I 'm excited!!!'

# 144 cjallure24 @ 07/21/11 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furq


	Not that this is relevant, but Magic got the highest NBA contract in history at the time and demanded to be traded early in his career lol

I knew about him wanting to come out of college and play wit the Lakers, and him saying that he didn't want to play for Chicago. I think I did read somewhere about him wanting to be traded if a certain coach wasn't fired as well. Thanks for dropping some that info though.

# 145 VDusen04 @ 07/21/11 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furq


	Like the covers, I'd be happy with either one and am not sure which one I'll pick Interesting about the classic team DLC, but I'm a bit unhappy wondering how much each team will cost in the future. I know it's optional content, but games are expensive enough before considering that almost every game has paid additional content now

I'm getting way ahead of myself, but I'm hopeful there will be a significant portion of classic teams already available on disk. I'd love for all of them to be on there, but if they needed to make some DLC to make ends meet (it's gotta cost money for these players rights, yes?) then this would be the one game I'd be willing to cave for.

# 146 BOSsTOwN @ 07/21/11 03:40 PM

MJ cover .. and hes rocking the 13s

# 147 Drosebpga1 @ 07/21/11 03:42 PM

Kool covers, they really shouldnt of brought jordan back, I was thinking more dirk, drose,or lebron...but I guess thats because of the lockout?

# 148 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drosebpga1


	Kool covers, they really shouldnt of brought jordan back, I was thinking more dirk, drose,or lebron...but I guess thats because of the lockout?

Why not? When he played, Jordan put asses in seats. When he's on the cover of basketball games, he moves copies.

# 149 jeebs9 @ 07/21/11 03:50 PM

Which cover are you going to get?

I think I might get all 3.

# 150 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 03:54 PM

Eventually, I'll probably get all three. But only when the price goes down. The Jordan cover is a Day One Purchase for me, though.

# 151 RnRexpress3423 @ 07/21/11 04:04 PM

LOL no way NBA elite or live or whatever it's called can compete with this. Would have been cool to see my boy Drose on the cover but hey this awesome none the less.

# 152 NealN42 @ 07/21/11 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnRexpress3423


	LOL no way NBA elite or live or whatever it's called can compete with this. Would have been cool to see my boy Drose on the cover but hey this awesome none the less.

Are you serious? No way NBA Elite can compete with 2k having 3 different pictures on it's cover? People really put WAY too much stock into who's picture is on the game's case...what matters is the GAMEPLAY, not the cover.

# 153 aloncho11 @ 07/21/11 04:09 PM

I don't mean to brag, but just found out that my prediction came up to be accurate.

From the 2K12 cover prediction thread, from May 29:

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloncho11


	3 Cover Athletes at the same time: MJ, Magic and Bird

Ironically, I think that date is the first date that old man said the world would come to an end, so...

# 154 GaryT531 @ 07/21/11 04:14 PM

for a bird challenge i'd like to see the 91 first round series vs indiana where he and chuck the rifleman person went at it in that **** five game series. would love even more to see a jordan challenge vs the 93 suns. i'm sure 2k couldn't get barkley to sign, but i'd settle for a generic barkley and the rest of phoenix's team included.

# 155 23 @ 07/21/11 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryT531


	for a bird challenge i'd like to see the 91 first round series vs indiana where he and chuck the rifleman person went at it in that **** five game series. would love even more to see a jordan challenge vs the 93 suns. i'm sure 2k couldn't get barkley to sign, but i'd settle for a generic barkley and the rest of phoenix's team included.

Put him on there with editable hair and goggles and a generic name... Ill edit him to his normal self lol

I remember Chuck Person trying to bust Larry's behind.. Guy would hit some incredible 3's almost from half court just to trash talk Larry throughout the series... guy was nuts but it was fun to watch

# 156 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealN42


	Are you serious? No way NBA Elite can compete with 2k having 3 different pictures on it's cover? People really put WAY too much stock into who's picture is on the game's case...what matters is the GAMEPLAY, not the cover.

Considering they're expanding on the gameplay from 2K11, I don't think we have to worry about that.

# 157 VDusen04 @ 07/21/11 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealN42


	Are you serious? No way NBA Elite can compete with 2k having 3 different pictures on it's cover? People really put WAY too much stock into who's picture is on the game's case...what matters is the GAMEPLAY, not the cover.

People could also be referring to the expansion of the NBA history in 2K, as the three covers seem to allude to. While the covers themselves mean little, what they represent could be significant.

# 158 jeebs9 @ 07/21/11 04:30 PM

I would like yo play with a young Vince Carter and throw down some old school windmills and 360's.

# 159 jeebs9 @ 07/21/11 04:32 PM

The best thing about the classic teams anytime some has an argument about such and such team is better then another team from a different era. You can always just pick them up and play each other lol.

# 160 babythug23 @ 07/21/11 04:32 PM

Why are jordans accessories on the right side of his body?

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