2K13 Cover Athlete(s)?

[Andrew]

I guess it's old news now, thus a lot of people want to see something (and someone) new.

[Mile23]

I still think that Durant deserves front page

[deihatein]

I still think that Durant deserves front page

Not in 2k though. Not saying he doesn't deserve to be in a cover of a 2k game.

[shotblocker]

i'm 99% sure michael jordan will still be on the cover for 2k13...

if charles barkley will be in 2k13 (hopefully), then i predict the cover would be him and mj facing off each other like a poster for an old 1993 nba finals matchup. or it would be mj versus any other nba legend, just like 2k12, the previous cover.

i still need to have a barkley vs jordan video game. the time is now. c'mon chuck!!! damn.

[ESB CrowBonez]

I believe it's going to be Derrick Rose, It's his turn 2K.

[Uros12]

My guess its Jordan again,probably with some legends.From what I know they have a 2 year contract with MJ about appearing in the game so it would make sense if they put him again on cover.LBJ could be there too,but I have a feeling he will be on the cover of Live 13...

[Patr1ck]

If a two year contract is true, then Jordan's contract is up. He was on 2k11's cover as well a 2k12's.

[JaoSming]

I thought it was 3 years? The first year (2K11), then an extension for 2 more.

[Patr1ck]

Possibly more than that. Ronnie2k tweeted that Jordan had signed a multi year extension.

[Andrew]

Yeah, I was under the impression that there were at least a couple more years left on the deal.

[Povilas3]

tried to do something but i want jr smith or d-wade on cover

[Andrew]

I think they'll likely go with a bigger name than JR Smith.

[Phraynk]

I think they'll likely go with a bigger name than JR Smith.

[22cedric]

@Ronnie2K https://twitter.com/#!/Ronnie2K said on his twitter I am curious... would you rather see a #current #legend or #offtheboard #NBA2K13 cover athlete?

I said a current NBA Player.

[Andrew]

Interesting...I wonder if they do have a cover player signed yet, or are perhaps open to having alternate covers. Or maybe it's all been decided and he's just making conversation to start building the hype towards the eventual reveal.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Isn't the cover supposed to be decided already by now?

And also, what is up with everybody following Ronnie2K lmfao

[JaoSming]

And also, what is up with everybody following Ronnie2K lmfao

it's where all the info comes from

[Andrew]

Isn't the cover supposed to be decided already by now?

Usually.

[Povilas3]

Legends on cover starting 2 suck it's getting boring but if really they will make legend on cover i take shaq on Heat or Lakers jersey , please can someone try to make JR smith coveR ? :/

[Phraynk]

I would think they'd have a better chance of putting Brian Scalabrine on the cover.

[Mile23]

remember that Lin will be on the cover ... realistically speaking, everything revolves around money ... remembers someone Ming and the Rockets? same thing will happen, and now about Lin. Asian market is too good for this job. The Knicks jerseys sold like crazy. More than Melo or Amare. Why? Answer is clear as day. Now it will take 2k of its market and it is economically, the wise strategic move.


"Could Linsanity Lead to Jeremy Lin NBA 2K13 Cover Deal?"

With Jeremy Lin, thus far, proving that he’s not just a fad with his on-court heroics for the New York Knicks, the NBA All-Star could be getting more than just multiple in-game player upgrades for NBA 2K12. Jeremy Lin is one of the frontrunners to be on the cover of an NBA videogame for next season. Let the Linsanity go virtual.

Remember that next season, EA Sports returns to the hardwoods for the first time in several years. The game publisher canceled NBA Elite and bowed out of the simulation game for a few seasons, but it’s coming back this year to face off against 2K Sports NBA 2K13. The new EA basketball game’s name has yet to be announced.

“I would bet both Take-Two Interactive and Electronic Arts go after Lin,” said Michael Pachter, videogame analyst, Wedbush Morgan Securities. “Take-Two is in New York, so they are living through the hype. He’s a great story, and will boost sales of either game, so I expect that there will be a bidding war for him. As the de facto market leader, Take-Two has more to lose, and as the new entrant, EA has more to gain. It will be interesting.”

Lin has already graced the cover of Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated and other big outlets over the past three weeks, so a videogame cover would be icing on the cake. Lin’s popularity today in sports transcends just about any other NBA athlete out there. And with the NBA lockout over, both EA and 2K Sports can focus on current NBA All-Stars for their covers. There’s simply no one bigger today than Lin.

Even if Lin fails to continue to put up those amazing numbers, the return of Carmelo Anthony should help Lin and the Knicks keep their winning ways. And just getting into the NBA Playoffs this year will solidify his place in NBA history. Should the Knicks fail to go far into the Playoffs, the name recognition and value of Lin isn’t going to dissipate. He’s going to grab the attention of parents and grandparents next Christmas should he be on the cover of millions of videogame boxes at retail outlets.

Another advantage for Lin, who seems very down-to-earth and accessible to the media, is that he’s an underdog who isn’t coming into a game deal with a millionaire lifestyle like so many NBA elite players. There’s usually a big difference between when you interview an NBA rookie and an established NBA player as a member of the media. Lin would be coming into promoting the videogame more along the rookie route, which would be a benefit for any game publisher he partners with.

In the past, EA Sports has released multiple covers of NBA Live targeting different global audiences. Pachter said a game publisher could use Lin in this capacity with next year’s game.

“I don’t see huge a sales bump in Asia, as the installed base of consoles in China is nil, and Lin is not Japanese, so a large installed base there won’t help much,” said Pachter. “But sales in other regions will benefit, perhaps by a couple of hundred thousand units.”

The bottom line is that Lin will bring a boost of sales to either of the competing NBA games. And that competitive landscape provides the perfect storm for Lin to step in and partner with EA or 2K on the next game. Either way he goes, one thing that will change are those low player ratings. Lin should be a much better virtual player next year with no need for upgrades.

---- http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/02/21/could-linsanity-lead-to-jeremy-lin-nba-2k13-cover-deal/ ....

[Andrew]

Back in February, that was probably not too far out a suggestion...maybe. I still think that they'd look for a more established player, a bonafide star in the league. Since then Lin has gone down with injury and fallen out of the public eye somewhat. I'd say they'd still prefer someone the level of a LeBron James or Kevin Durant.

[Mile23]

I agree but I think in terms of money and not just the quality of the game

[Patr1ck]

If he had not gotten injured and continued to perform well, I don't think it would be out of the question. His media attention and the surrounding hype faded with his injury. It would be a gamble to put Lin on the cover this year.

[benji]

remember that Lin will be on the cover ... realistically speaking, everything revolves around money ... remembers someone Ming and the Rockets?

How many covers was Yao on again?