NBA 2K12 News Post

NBA 2K12 - All 15 Legends Announced

04:09 PM - August 18, 2011 by ifriedrice

ESPN has announced the 15 legends in NBA 2K12 and their opposing teams. Both sides should have 10-12 accurate players represented according to the article. Here's the list of players and their opponents in the game:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
86-87 Lakers vs. Celtics

Larry Bird
85-86 Celtics vs Hawks

Julius “Dr. J” Erving
84-85 76ers vs Bucks

Wilt Chamberlain
71-72 Lakers vs Knicks

Patrick Ewing
94-95 Knicks vs Magic

Magic Johnson
90-91 Lakers vs Blazers

Michael Jordan
92-93 Bulls vs Hornets

Karl Malone
97-98 Jazz vs Spurs

Scottie Pippen
95-96 Bulls vs Sonics

Oscar Robertson
70-71 Bucks vs Lakers

Hakeem Olajuwon
93-94 Rockets vs Nuggets

Bill Russell
64-65 Celtics vs Lakers

Jerry West
70-71 Lakers vs Hawks

Isiah Thomas
88-89 Pistons vs. Bulls

John Stockton
97-98 Jazz vs. Lakers

Bonus Teams
1990-91 Warriors and 2001-02 Kings

Chris' Take: Seems to be a lot of a 'been there done that' with several of the guys and teams on the list. BUT, that doesn't mean it's still not cool (for now). Some of the guys are pretty exciting such as Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlin. If the rosters from the opposing teams are spot-on as mentioned in the article, then this mode gets a lot more exciting and that appears to be the case. But really, a lot of the guys from the 90s and late 80s are rehashes of last year's teams on the Jordan Challenge. And it appears you have to play (or I'm sure pay) to unlock the teams in exhibition.

NBA 2K needs all it can to top last year's effort sales wise, I'm highly skeptical it's going to be able to match it with the NBA Lockout and a legends lineup that feels cool but somewhat rehashed as well -- but the mode should be quite cool at least one more year.

Game: NBA 2K12Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
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Member Comments

# 261 Squirrel_Dude @ 08/19/11 02:53 PM

Ya know, the names listed are only half of the awesomeness here because the teams they are facing, and the ones they are on are pretty damn good to.

Sure, these are the legends, but there are also going to be additional great players from those other franchises in the game. Except the Bucks, I don't know anyone from that team that hasn't already been announced (70 - 71 have oscar and kareem)

Look at this awesomesauce.

76ers
Maurice Cheeks
Moses Malone
Charles Barkley

Blazers
Clyde Drexler
Danny Ainge

Bulls
Horace Grant
Scottie Pippen
Dennis Rodman

Celtics
Danny Ainge
Kevin McHale
Robert Parish
John Havlicek

Hawks
Spud Webb

Hornets
Muggsy Bogues

Jazz
Jeff Hornacek
Byron Russell

Knicks
Walt Frazier
Willis Reed
Derick Harper
John Starks

Lakers
Elgin Baylor
James Worthy
Sam Perkins
Vlade Divac
Shaq
Robert Horry
Kobe Bryant

Magic
Horace Grant
Anfernee Hardaway
Shaq

Nuggets
Dikembe Motumbo

Pistons
Mark Aquire
Joe Dumars
Vinnie Johnson
Dennis Rodman

Rockets
Otis Thorpe
Robert Horry

Sonics
Gary Payton
Shawn Kemp
Sam Perkins

Spurs
Duncan
Robinson

And a large number of future coaches
Rick Carlisle (Celtics)
Scott Brooks (Rockets)
Doc Rivers (Hawks)
Mike Dunleavy (Bucks)
Don Nelson (Lakers)
Pat Riley (Lakers)
Kurt Rambis (Lakers)
Byron Scott (Lakers)
Larry Drew (Lakers)
Phil Jackson (Knicks)
Nate McMillan (Sonics)
Vinny Del Negro (Spurs)
Avery Johnson (Spurs)

^^^^
That Roster is the one I am excited about.

# 262 scottyp180 @ 08/19/11 02:58 PM

i agree with ifriedrice that the teams and players are a little rehashed from last year but i believe they will put a lot more work into each player this year. last year was all about jordan and it showed when you played as him. I dont think anyone else in 2k11 had as many signature moves/animations as Jordan. Hopefully this year they will have some authentic signature animations for the legends (magic and pistol petes passes, robertson and isiahs handles/cross overs, kareem and hakeems post moves). If they put effort into making each player look and feel like themselves (like jordan last year) then the extra teams will definitely make increase the play value of this game (assuming the gameplay is an improvement over last years) .

Im hoping that they throughout the year they will have teams as dlc, i wouldnt paying extra money for more teams/players especially when we might not have a season until late december early january. itll help keep things fresh since we wont have any of the daily season, 2k today updates.

# 263 mcseven @ 08/19/11 03:19 PM

Wow this announcement has me totally confused on what to actually do when the game comes out. It just creates way too many posibilities. I can see myself just moving around players forever just trying to get the ultimate season. Gotta pre order this tomorrow.

# 264 coolcras7 @ 08/19/11 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BQ32


	You know what is complete B.S. is that the top two voted players for legends were KOBE and SHAQ for the face book pole, you would think they would have at least somehow got the 2000, 2001 team in the game. In my opinion the 2001 lakers team as played in the playoffs are the best team in history, with a prime shaq and kobe and a killer supporting role. They decimated everyone in the playoffs that year and every match up was against a stacked team.

The teams in the game were already set, the FB thing was just to get fans talking about the game, did you actually think they would restructure the game in August by adding teams and players models they did not have already have by now.

# 265 ffaacc03 @ 08/19/11 03:45 PM

To anyone that knows, I need some guidance/confirmation - while kind of a side step -, it still in regards of the "legends" teams SAC & GS:

I live in the caribbean and I usually buy the games through a friend that has both, an amazon account and a physical address in MIA to where the games are delivered, then from there the games are shipped to here. Anyways, It seems that those teams would only be awarded if the game (2k12) is bought through gamestop, so:

Does gamestop has that service of delivering the game to an specific address in MIA like amazon does and if so, how reliable is it in terms of delivery time ?

# 266 SwagDoc101 @ 08/19/11 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinyhubcaps


	This is awesome news, guys. So what about no Barkley or Miller. Hopefully they gave us some good Suns throwbacks and you can create them. We get so many different eras, so many great players (David Robinson comes to mind) that weren't even listed as legends, so many great teams (Jordan, Kareem, and others on multiple teams I'm sure)... this is the end-all of legendary hoops video games. The disappointment will be in the future when 2K has to re-sign each guy individually or else lose him from the game.

absolutely right...couldnt have said it better...so we need to stop complaining...and appreciate this gift bc we have never seen a star studded cast in any sports game...almost wanna say thanx to david stern for the lockout lol but i wont

# 267 sportjames23 @ 08/19/11 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcseven


	Wow this announcement has me totally confused on what to actually do when the game comes out. It just creates way too many posibilities. I can see myself just moving around players forever just trying to get the ultimate season. Gotta pre order this tomorrow.

It's gonna be straight bananas on 2K Share this year. I can't wait to see what portlandblazer does with all these classic teams.

# 268 StB589 @ 08/19/11 04:08 PM

Shame Charles didn't make the list, but this is still great news

# 269 teebee @ 08/19/11 04:17 PM

Decade later and people still calling Bryon Russell "Byron"

DUMB JUST DUMB I TELL YA!

# 270 Championships @ 08/19/11 04:28 PM

http://kotaku.com/5832465/pistol-pet...ary-lineup-too

Not sure if already posted, Here's more of the legends that are included.

# 271 mrclutch @ 08/19/11 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir lucious lft ft


	Well the 85 bucks are in there because of Dr. J. So ask yourself what did Dr. J do to the 85 bucks that warrants them being in the game? And the same goes for the 93 hornets. Ask yourself, what did his airness do to the 93 hornets that warrants them being in the game? And then you will know why they are there.... And I take what I said back about the Mavs team. They are not nobodies, but they don't have any LEGENDS. They damn near beat a couple of the legends (magic, kareem) already in the game so I doubt they would want ppl to remember them by that series. I think we are forgetting that this mode is about LEGENDS and displaying them in some of the best games of their career. Its not about the best loaded and dangerous teams of the past.

The Bucks from the mid 80's were very good. A couple injuries in the playoffs and Larry were the only thing keeping them out of the Finals at least once. Cummings was a beast and Pierce was always near the top of the league in points per 48 mins.

I would love to have the late 80's Mav's. If they had came along in the 90's they would have been in the Finals multiple times.

# 272 volantPenguin @ 08/19/11 05:03 PM

2001-2002 Kings!

# 273 DurtySoufReppin @ 08/19/11 05:17 PM

Does anyone know if the Warriors/Kings will be available to get if I don't pre-order?

I have to go to basic training and I won't be able to get the game until next year sometime

I have to see 2002 kings and Mullin's buzz cut.

# 274 youvalss @ 08/19/11 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DurtySoufReppin


	Does anyone know if the Warriors/Kings will be available to get if I don't pre-order? I have to go to basic training and I won't be able to get the game until next year sometime I have to see 2002 kings and Mullin's buzz cut.

According to the new Insight...

Quote:


	* Bonus Gift with Purchase – The 1990-91 Warriors and 2001-02 Kings are only available to those who purchase their copy of NBA 2K12 early. This bonus content will be available in launch orders only, while supplies last.

# 275 LeBronistheKing @ 08/19/11 05:30 PM

1976-77 Philadelphia 76ers?????? Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins??? From the planet Lovetron? Oh my God!!! Please 2K do Dawkins signature dunk package some justice. Wow I am seriously gonna lose friends over playing this game too much.

# 276 DJ @ 08/19/11 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeBronistheKing


	1976-77 Philadelphia 76ers?????? Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins??? From the planet Lovetron? Oh my God!!! Please 2K do Dawkins signature dunk package some justice. Wow I am seriously gonna lose friends over playing this game too much.

Dr. J rocking the 'fro, too. Oh, and you've got World B. Free and Kobe's dad, Jelly Bean Bryant, on the team as well.

Now that I have my PS3 and 360 in separate rooms, I may have to buy 2 copies of this game, because I will probably want to play this game non-stop for oh, the next 1-5 years

# 277 DurtySoufReppin @ 08/19/11 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youvalss


	According to the new Insight...

wack........

# 278 mreyes930 @ 08/19/11 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youvalss


	According to the new Insight... * Bonus Gift with Purchase – The 1990-91 Warriors and 2001-02 Kings are only available to those who purchase their copy of NBA 2K12 early. This bonus content will be available in launch orders only, while supplies last.

So if I'm reading this right, we don't have to preorder the game, we just have to get our hands on it before the first shipment sells out. Correct?

# 279 mkharsh33 @ 08/19/11 06:19 PM

Just a small thing, but I think the 85-86 Celtics-Hawks matchup is kinda dumb. It SHOULD have been the 88 playoff matchup - THAT was the classic 7 game series, and the "bird vs. nique" duel (4th quarter of game 7).

In 86 Boston beat the Hawks FOUR games to ONE in that series. There really wasn't much memorable about that series except that the Hawks actually won a game...

# 280 neptuneniq @ 08/19/11 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mreyes930


	So if I'm reading this right, we don't have to preorder the game, we just have to get our hands on it before the first shipment sells out. Correct?

no. its preorder

first shipment is basically the preordered copies

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