Sep 30, 2017 After Kyrie Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics, 2K announced that they would be issuing an updated cover for NBA 2K18. Although the title screen and digital covers for the game were already updated at launch, the initial run of copies featured the original cover with Irving wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey. NBA 2K19 will feature its first international star on the cover of the standard version. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, who earned the nickname 'the Greek Freak' for his country of.
'This year marks the 30th anniversary for the development team at Visual Concepts and the 20th for the NBA 2K series, so it was important to commemorate this milestone by partnering with the most iconic athlete of this generation in LeBron James,” said Alfie Brody, vice president of marketing for NBA 2K. “LeBron’s carefully crafted wording on the NBA 2K19 20th Anniversary Edition cover encapsulate the passion and drive that have elevated him to all-time greatness making him the perfect cover star.”Recent cover athletes for the game include James on 'NBA 2K14' (left the Heat a year later to return to the Cavs), Kevin Durant on 'NBA 2K15' (left the Thunder a year later to join the Warriors), Paul George on 'NBA 2K17' (traded by the Pacers a year later) and Kyrie Irving on 'NBA 2K18' (traded by Cavs before the game even shipped). That recent track record has led to talk of a curse for the cover athletes — or, more accurately, for the teams they were on at the time.With James set to be a free agent this offseason and amid speculation about his signing elsewhere, it's no wonder his selection for '2K19' is being included in that discussion. The cover art does not feature James in a Cavaliers jersey, so there is no concern about what would happen should he change teams in July or later. Curiously, '2K19' is being framed as the 20th Anniversary for the series despite it entering its 19th year. 'NBA 2K10,' released in 2009, was branded as the series' 10th Anniversary.
The explanation presumably will be that '2K19' is the 20th edition for the franchise rather than its 20th year, but it's strange that things would be pushed up rather than held for 'NBA 2K20.' The Sept. 7 release date for 'NBA 2K19' supplants 'NBA 2K18' as the second earliest a licensed NBA game has released. The series has been gradually moving up in recent years; it used to come out in early October. That movement in part influenced the by several weeks to create some separation.
A trend in the sports gaming genre is publishers offering more expensive special editions of their games days ahead of the release of their traditional, $60 standard versions. EA Sports with their titles and SCEA with 'MLB The Show' have been doing that. 2K Sports simply had been sending out the game early to those who pre-ordered. Now 2K is following suit with the $100 special edition out Sept. 7. Those who want the regular game will be forced to wait until Sept.
11.Included in the pricey 20th Anniversary Edition is a great deal of bonus digital content, such as 100K Virtual Currency, 50K MyTeam Points, 20 MyTeam League Packs, 10 MyTeam Heat Check Packs, LeBron James MyTeam Card and a LeBron James MyCourt design. The physical edition of the game also will come with a LeBron poster, sticker sheet and custom wristband.Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the 'Press Row Podcast' and can be reached on.
The covers have each featured at least one NBA player, beginning with Allen Iverson in the original. In contrast to the series, the NBA 2K games have repeated cover players, notably featuring Iverson on the cover for the first five games in the series and Shaquille O'Neal in back-to-back appearances for. Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant have also appeared on multiple covers.In 2010, NBA 2K11 became the first game in the series to feature a retired player on the cover, namely Michael Jordan. Jordan returned as the cover player for NBA 2K12, with limited edition Magic Johnson and Larry Bird covers also being made available. NBA 2K13 marks the first time that multiple players appear on the same cover, with Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose appearing together., and featured special collector's editions with a retired player on the cover, labelled the Legend Edition for NBA 2K17 and NBA 2K18. Saw the release of a 20th Anniversary Edition, featuring LeBron James on the cover.Covers GamePlayerNotesAllen IversonAllen IversonFirst repeat cover player.
Won the regular season MVP award the same year.Allen IversonAllen IversonAllen IversonThe most cover appearances to date, with five.Ben WallaceThe Detroit Pistons were the defending champions, and appeared in the 2005 NBA Finals.Shaquille O'NealFirst player to win the championship the same season as appearing on the NBA 2K cover. Previously appeared on the cover.Shaquille O'NealSecond repeat cover player.Chris PaulKevin GarnettThe Boston Celtics were the defending champions coming into the season.Kobe BryantSecond player to win the championship the same season as appearing on the NBA 2K cover; also the defending champions.Michael JordanFirst retired player to appear on an NBA 2K cover.Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic JohnsonThe Larry Bird and Magic Johnson covers were limited edition. Michael Jordan was the third repeat cover player.Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Derrick RoseFirst cover to feature multiple players.LeBron JamesThe Miami Heat were the defending champions, and appeared in the 2014 NBA Finals.Kevin DurantFourth repeat cover player, first solo appearance.Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony DavisSpecial Edition: Michael JordanAll three covers were available as an insert in the regular edition, so that they could be swapped according to preference. First Special Edition, featuring the third cover for Michael Jordan.Paul GeorgeLegend Edition: Kobe BryantPaul George was previously the 'cover' player for the MyNBA2K16 companion app. Second cover for Kobe Bryant.Kyrie IrvingLegend Edition: Shaquille O'NealCanada: DeMar DeRozanKyrie Irving previously appeared on the cover of. Third cover for Shaquille O'Neal.Giannis Antetokounmpo20th Anniversary Edition: LeBron JamesAustralia: Ben SimmonsLeBron James previously appeared on the cover of.Anthony DavisLegend Edition: Dwyane WadeAnthony Davis was previously one of three cover players for.Links.