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.

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Member Comments

# 281 mreyes930 @ 08/19/11 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neptuneniq


	no. its preorder first shipment is basically the preordered copies

Alright thanks for the clarification. (Heads out the door) Gamestop here I come.

# 282 thefranchise03 @ 08/19/11 07:07 PM

Damn this is badass!!!!! Can't wait to see some all-time rosters created. Now I dont have to use up all the cap slots! Im reserving this right now

# 283 SwagDoc101 @ 08/19/11 08:37 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.

how ILLLLLLL would it be to shatter the glass with chocolate thunder "stay from under" ....but only in that era or we'll have the crybabies complaining that is not sim

# 284 youvalss @ 08/19/11 08:41 PM

Mike Dunleavy Sr...don't remember seeing him ever playing. Interesting...

# 285 NealN42 @ 08/19/11 08:59 PM

I may be in the minority here...but I don't get the excitement for this. Jordan, Pippen, Magic, Bird, and Isaiah were all in 2k11, and you could match them up against any team you wanted. So in essence all 2k12 adds is 10 more historical players with some old school presentation tweaks for those games. I mean...it's nice, but not really any different than what we had in 2k11...

# 286 LeBronistheKing @ 08/19/11 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealN42


	I may be in the minority here...but I don't get the excitement for this. Jordan, Pippen, Magic, Bird, and Isaiah were all in 2k11, and you could match them up against any team you wanted. So in essence all 2k12 adds is 10 more historical players with some old school presentation tweaks for those games. I mean...it's nice, but not really any different than what we had in 2k11...

2K12 is adding much more than 10 more historical players. Did you read the insight? It's a basketball historians dream game. Much more than the Jordan challenge with extra players.

# 287 sportjames23 @ 08/19/11 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealN42


	I may be in the minority here...but I don't get the excitement for this. Jordan, Pippen, Magic, Bird, and Isaiah were all in 2k11, and you could match them up against any team you wanted. So in essence all 2k12 adds is 10 more historical players with some old school presentation tweaks for those games. I mean...it's nice, but not really any different than what we had in 2k11...

Are you serious?

Somebody, is this man serious?

Not really any different? It's 2K11 on steroids. We're getting at least 34 classic teams and more legends. Any fan of the NBA from the 60s to the 90s should be in Basketball Heaven come Oct 3.

# 288 Air_Carter @ 08/19/11 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STLRams


	I thought that was a year he had a fro?.. could be wrong. I always think about that year with Kobe because that's the year he and Jordan went back in forth in the Allstar game. It will be nice to play with high flying version of Kobe.

That was an afro year and yes Kobe was rockin' the afro in the 98 all star game, check this video out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOo9E...e_gdata_player

Can't wait to play 2K12, young Kobe with the fro,Hakeem the dream, penny and Shaq.

# 289 thefranchise03 @ 08/19/11 11:02 PM

Happy the Cavs are still in, but I wished we could of gotten other classic teams besides those bulls teams. A team in the early 50's, like Mikan's lakers, would of been awesome, or even bob cousy's celtics

# 290 Bone Machine @ 08/19/11 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neptuneniq


	if only ppl would understand how hard it is to get Charles and reggie in the game.... u guys act like 2k didnt try to get them in

What does 2K have to do to be able to include certain players into their game? If it takes so much effort, then how will they be able to include the bench players for every single team?

# 291 eDotd @ 08/19/11 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone Machine


	What does 2K have to do to be able to include certain players into their game? If it takes so much effort, then how will they be able to include the bench players for every single team?

Read this snippet from the Kotaku article discussing Barkley's absence.

Quote:


	Yes, retired players must all be compensated for their likenesses. Loosely speaking, here's what happens. The NBA's all-time greats, the true legends, typically cut their own deals. These are guys like this year's unprecented three different cover stars, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan, and many of the hall of famers rounding out the rest of the 15 legends. Barkley could be reasonably included in this bunch, especially if the fan vote is any guide. Most of the other retired players, even all-stars among them, are covered under a group license that manages such affairs and cuts the royalty checks. That way, neither players nor producers of memorabilia, DVDs or video games have to negotiate individually with everyone on the team involved. For the product maker, it streamlines access to the use of likeness and for the player, it streamlines the dealmaking process so they get paid with less hassle. Only if you are a big-time star is it worth it to negotiate things on your own.

Barkley could have either:

1. Asked for too much money (my guess is this is the reason)
2. Wanted some form of control in the process of how his likeness was used
3. Just didn't want to be in the game for personal reasons

Of course there can be other reasons but those are the three I think come into play the majority of time when dealing with any kind of license.

# 292 VDusen04 @ 08/20/11 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDotd


	Read this snippet from the Kotaku article discussing Barkley's absence. Barkley could have either: 1. Asked for too much money (my guess is this is the reason) 2. Wanted some form of control in the process of how his likeness was used 3. Just didn't want to be in the game for personal reasons Of course there can be other reasons but those are the three I think come into play the majority of time when dealing with any kind of license.

I'm glad to finally see some form of definitive clarity on the issue. I was always under the impression that [i]every[/] retired player must be negotiated with individually. It's good to know it's somewhat more convenient than that (for the non-stars). I'd assume the non-stars that are missing from classic rosters are also players who just decided to opt out of the group license as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealN42


	I may be in the minority here...but I don't get the excitement for this. Jordan, Pippen, Magic, Bird, and Isaiah were all in 2k11, and you could match them up against any team you wanted. So in essence all 2k12 adds is 10 more historical players with some old school presentation tweaks for those games. I mean...it's nice, but not really any different than what we had in 2k11...

With respect, I find your logic questionable. Perhaps you see 15 legends (including five retreads). I see around 50 legends, alongside nearly their entire supporting casts. 2K is likely going to feature over 300 classic players. For someone who has been around for more than one era of basketball and is fascinated with its history, this is thrilling. Again, if this news doesn't excite someone, I can respect that for sure. But can you really not see why some people might find such a spectacular and full addition to be exciting?

# 293 Boilerbuzz @ 08/20/11 02:02 AM

eDotd's post should put an end to the questions of why player is not in the game. Do you REALLY think that any omission of a player is by 2K's CHOICE? I would LOVE to see the Barkley team that had KJ, Majerle, Dumas, et. al.

# 294 qpc123 @ 08/20/11 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boilerbuzz


	Do you REALLY think it any omission of a player is by CHOICE?

By 2k's choice no, I'm sure they want Barkley in the game. By a player's choice, yes, I can see why a player would not want to be included i.e. a pride thing, like if he doesn't want to be on the losing end of a challenge. Not saying I agree with it, but I can understand the reasoning.

# 295 23 @ 08/20/11 02:39 AM

If we could just get one of those bomb.com editors in the game and a 2k made sig package we'd be great.

Pc guys will never sweat this since they can add mods. There has to be an idea doable or a tool that could work...something out there.

Yes I want to play against the suns too...but more customization options may be the best alternative

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

# 296 qpc123 @ 08/20/11 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	If we could just get one of those bomb.com editors in the game and a 2k made sig package we'd be great. Pc guys will never sweat this since they can add mods. There has to be an idea doable or a tool that could work...something out there. Yes I want to play against the suns too...but more customization options may be the best alternative Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

An improvement to the CAP system and the 93 Suns jersey as a retro option would make me more than happy.

# 297 Playmakers @ 08/20/11 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir lucious lft ft


	You only crying for this maverick team cause you just saw them on nbatv a couple days ago...be honest lol j/k. The probably with the Mavs team is that nobody remembers those dudes, especially the younger generation. You just named a bunch nobodies when in comparisons to magic, bird, Jordan and all the other greats mentioned in this thread. I mean come on, you can't even find these dudes on you tube unless they playing Jordan or somebody else great

So the younger generation remebers teams from the 70's and early 80's but they don't know anything about a team from the late 80's?

Some of those guys listed (Aguirre & Blackman) were some of the most explosive scorer's in the NBA during their time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8GKa...eature=related

Tarpley was arguably one of the best 6th men in the NBA before off the court issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGrWabCtHtU

My beef is the Mavs just won the title they should have a retro team in the game.....it doesn't even have to be the 88 Mavs

You forget they had a squad just a few years ago that went to the Finals vs Miami and they also had a squad with Finley, Dirk, Nash and Van Exel a few years prior to that which advanced to the WCF's to play San Antonio

I'd prefer the 88 team because they were incredibly deep.....but my point is if Sacramento and Golden St can get respect why can't Dallas?

How is there players more of a household name than Dallas past Legends?

# 298 Playmakers @ 08/20/11 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	With respect, I'd hardly refer to Mark Aguirre and Rolando Blackman as nobodies. And I'm not just saying that as a means of trying to showcase knowledge of NBA history. Aguirre amassed nearly 20,000 career points while averaging over 25 ppg for a least four seasons (topping out at 29.5 ppg in '84). Blackman averaged over 18 ppg for nine consecutive seasons (topping out at 21 ppg twice and once at 22 ppg). Derek Harper, Detlef Schrempf and Sam Perkins were key pieces to championship contenders well into the 90's (and in the '00's) while Roy Tarpley's rebounding prowess (averaging over 11 rpg in four of his six seasons, including averaging 17 and 12 in '89) was cut short due to his own drug use and subsequent suspension form the NBA. So, yes, relative to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan, I suppose you could call these guys nobodies. But in truth, the '87 Mavericks were loaded and dangerous. To say that "nobody remembers these dudes" is wildly off base. With the inclusion of other great but lowkey teams like the '85 Bucks, and so-so high key teams like the '93 Hornets, I don't think it's insane to think the '87 Mavs couldn't theoretically have a place. Just note this is not me disagreeing or complaining about 2K's decision. Rather, I'm just saying that squad was definitely not a group of nobodies.

Thank you sir someone else feels my pain.....

That team was loaded and IMO they were deeper than the Mavs team that actually just won the title.

The only problem is those Lakers teams in the 80's were just as deep

Brad Davis, Roy Tarpley and Detlef Schrempf for crying out loud were players coming off the bench....

I understand the younger generation might not know these guys but before there was Dirk there was that Detlef guy from Germany who was the original Germanator LOL!

Tarpley was just a beast back in those days.......not too many teams could deal with him coming off the bench because the guy was a rebounding machine.

# 299 sportjames23 @ 08/20/11 05:32 AM

Yeah, the '88 Mavs was a beastly team, taking the eventual champion Lakers to seven games that year. They made the Lakers earn that series win.

# 300 abcabc @ 08/20/11 10:50 AM

i wished they'd spent time to develop a entirely seperate 'classics' game. this kinda feels like they can't do much to elevate the regular game or what to slow it down, yet continue the annual release.

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