NBA Elite 11 Cover Player Speculation

[Andrew]

Based on the timeframe of the announcement in years gone by, I'd suggest that we'll be finding out the cover player for NBA Live 11 within the next couple of months, probably around the time of the Draft unless they go for a really early unveiling as they did with Gilbert Arenas. As such, I thought it might be fun if we start speculating on who might be featured this year as well as any personal preference.

My guess at this point is Kevin Durant. He's appeared on an EA Sports cover before (NCAA March Madness 08), was involved in promotions for NBA Live 08 along with Gilbert Arenas a few years ago and his stock is obviously on the rise with the Thunder's turnaround and his first All-Star appearance. If he doesn't appear on NBA Live's cover I wouldn't be too surprised if 2K reveals they'd snapped him up but given his past relationship with EA I'm picking him for the NBA Live 11 cover.

As for my personal preference, I don't really have one per se as the quality of the game itself matters a lot more than who's on the cover but I have to admit I'd enjoy seeing Derrick Rose on the cover as there's never been a Bull on the cover (aside from a small picture of Michael Jordan for the JORDAN IS BACK! strip on the NBA Live 2000 cover and Luol Deng on the European release of NBA Live 09 and NBA Live 10). However, I wouldn't count on it as Rose isn't quite at the level where he'd be amongst the top choices and he was the face of the NBA 2K10 Draft Combine, so he could still be under contract with 2K anyway.

[Dee.]

It will probably be Durant,though i'd love to see Gerald Wallace on the cover.

[Oznogrd]

I always hope for Steve Nash but my guess is its going to be someone off a finals team. If it ends up being Cavs Lakers I'd say Lebron would the most likely candidate. The question is do they want to shell out that kind of money.

Wouldnt mind seeing Deron Williams or Luther head either

[Andrew]

They have the deal in place long before the Finals begin though, so it's really just good luck (or arguably an educated guess) when it works out that way.

[Arcane]

The coverboy for Live 11 is going to be big I can confirm that.

[rise]

It will probably be Durant,though i'd love to see Gerald Wallace on the cover.

Totally agree

[atlwarrior]

I want a Guard or small forward unless its Bosh. Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose (he'll probably be with 2k first though), or my man Deron Williams. I wouldnt mind Joe Johnson either and I also like the idea of Durant. They could also go all out and bring Melo back. I dont mind them bringing him back.

[Andrew]

True, no rule that says they can't do that though they've yet to repeat a cover player and I'd say they'll continue that approach unless they end up signing a two or three game deal with someone.

[Axel The Great]

Didn't 2K use Allen Iverson and Shaq as their coverboys more than once?

[Andrew]

They did. As benji noted in the NBA 2K11 section, they were signed to multiyear deals.

[Axel The Great]

I think, as you (Andrew) said at one point, it should be Kevin Durant. He was on the cover of NCAA 08, so why not take a step further and put him on Live 11.

[[Double LC]]

i think the coverboy one of star player in Runner-up Team like last year. 2k10=KoBE(Champ), Live = Howard(Runner-up Team)..

[Andrew]

As I said, that's simply luck (or arguably an educated guess); the deals are in place long before the Finals, so it's a case of the cover players ending up in the Finals rather than Finalists ending up on the covers.

[Snowspire]

The player cover will be Paul Pierce

[Rukawa_11]

Waiting for the Finals to speculate hehehe

[Andrew]

But again, the deals are worked out well in advance of the Finals. Last year was good fortune or a good guess, depending on how you want to look at it.

[Trizzy619]

I think Durant fits more likely.....Wallace, Rondo aren't a big enough star, Nash is too old, I think they're afraid of a LeBron especially with uncertainty of where he'll end up (Favre on Madden) Derrick Rose was a coverboy on the NBA 2K10 combine edition....if not Durant then...

http://i42.tinypic.com/a3z2gm.jpg

[Andrew]

Nice custom cover, hopefully we get some going for NBA Live 11.

[POLISH_BOY]

I bet it will be Durantula, if not It's gonna be Deron Williams.

[Andrew]

Now that MJ has been confirmed as the 2K11 cover player, I guess that opens up everyone in the NBA. I'll stick with Durant as my pick too though.

[Martti.]

I think it's either Rose or Durant.

[Axel The Great]

Brandon Jennings wouldn't hurt, right Martti.?

[Patr1ck]

^Finally someone who is paying attention.
He was in a screenshot, the developer diary video and twatted(tweeted?) that he was going to Vancouver for a day.

[shadowgrin]

twatted(tweeted?)

[Andrew]

Come to think of it, I think Pastapadre suggested that last week too. I have to admit it makes sense, though I thought they would've gone for a bigger name. Kind of pales in comparison to MJ on the NBA 2K11 cover but it is what it is, Elite delivering the goods ultimately will have little to do with the player on the cover.