Today, news hit the video game and sports world as it was announced that LeBron James, star of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are currently battling the Golden State Warriors for title contention in the NBA finals, would grace the cover of this years hit series NBA 2K. LeBron himself has been featured one other time as the cover athlete back in the 2013-2014 NBA season as a member of the Miami Heat.
The cover art features words that “represents everything that drives [James]” in his day-to-day life. Phrases like “equality,” “strive for greatness,” “man in the arena,” and “chosen one” all appear in gold lettering on the front of the game surrounding an image of LeBron. He says that he is truly humbled to be chosen for the “game I’ve played and loved since I was a little kid.”
What makes this year’s game different from the rest is that it is the 20th year anniversary since the game came out. The first NBA 2K, which featured Allen Iverson on the cover, has come along way to NBA 2K19 with LeBron James. It’s fitting that Iverson was on the first cover, as James has referenced Iverson as being one of his inspirations and idols growing up.
The cover features a side-angle of LeBron’s head and little indication of what jersey he is wearing. To the casual fan, this is nothing more than a minor detail. But last year’s game is the cause of the ambiguity on LeBron’s jersey. The cover athlete for NBA 2K18 was Kyrie Irving. The game was released while Irving was still on the Cavaliers, so the first set of games printed featured Kyrie in a Cavs jersey. However, shortly after the game was released, Irving was dealt to the Boston Celtics, causing mayhem for the cover for the game. Digital Marketing Director Ronnie Singh, better known as Ronnie 2K to fans of the series, and his team quickly designed and released an updated version of the game, this time featuring Irving in a Celtics jersey on the front. To avoid any fiasco with jersey discrepancy, 2K has chosen to opt for an indistinguishable jersey for James, so regardless of whatever team he ends up on, the cover will still be correct.
Those who purchase the Anniversary Edition of NBA 2K19 will receive:
- 100,000 Virtual Currency
- 50,000 MyTEAM points
- 20 MyTEAM League Packs
- 10 MyTEAM Packs
- 5 LeBron-themed murals for MyCOURT
- LeBron MyCOURT design
- King’s Collection – Nike LeBron apparel and 25 pairs of LeBron shoes
The game is set to release on September 7th of the coming year and should be everything this year’s NBA 2K was, and more!
