Does Michael Jordan Deserve To Be On The Cover of NBA 2K11?
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know…I’m a little crazy for even proposing this question. But late last week, 2K Sports announced that they were putting Michael Jordan on the cover of NBA 2K11 in October. And I waited for someone else to say something. Figured that, eventually, someone else would say something. Expected someone else to say something. But no one did. So I’m going to say it: MJ should not be featured on the cover of NBA 2K11.
For starters, I was a huge MJ fan during his playing days. I still root for the Bulls to this day—which is, admittedly, a little easier to admit now that it looks like they’ll be in the LeBron James sweepstakes next month. I get into arguments defending MJ’s skills versus the next generation of ballers. So you can’t accuse me of hating on the guy. In fact, I haven’t played 2K in a few seasons and the presence of MJ on the cover might actually pique my interest enough to get me to play the 2011 version of the game. After all, MJ was almost never featured in video games when I was growing up, so it’d be nice to give the guy a trial run on my Xbox.
That said, he still doesn’t deserve the honor. Not at this point in his career. Because right now, his career doesn’t involve playing basketball—it involves owning a basketball team. It involves signing players to the Charlotte Bobcats, implementing better business practices within the organization and (hopefully) changing that terrible team name and making Charlotte the place to be for NBA players.
My reasoning goes beyond just that, too. The 2011 version of NBA 2K isn’t an anniversary edition. Last year’s NBA 2K10 was the 10th anniversary of the game and 2K decided to throw Kobe Bryant on the cover of that. So this isn’t some celebration of the game of basketball that 2K is using MJ to spearhead. The Kobe cover had also established a precedent for selecting cover players. For NBA 2K9, 2K used Kevin Garnett on the cover after he won his first NBA title. So for the first time in the NBA 2K history, the cover was starting to mean something. It was a place to celebrate a player’s great season and show him some respect. With MJ’s appearance, that pattern is over.
The biggest drawback of putting MJ on the cover of the game, though, is that it does very little to generate interest in up-and-coming NBA players. Through sneakers and clothing and his brand, MJ has kept his name alive post-retirement just fine. So, why not use NBA 2K to celebrate a current NBA player? What about someone like Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant or Bulls guard Derrick Rose? A talented fresh face would attract just as many younger NBA fans as an NBA legend.
I get it. 2K Sports is in the business of making money. They’re licensed by the NBA to include pro players, but they don’t make any extra money for taking risks on the players that appear on their covers. They don’t benefit from giving Durant or Rose a shot. They’re only interested in giving NBA fans a quality gaming experience. And with that in mind, MJ is a real draw—someone that can attract attention from all hoops fans.
All I’m saying is that NBA 2K has become the best in the business (sorry, EA!) when it comes to NBA video games. In just 11 years, they’ve built a solid brand that speaks for itself. They deserve to feature the best players in the business. And while MJ might have been one of the best when NBA 2K tipped off, those days are behind us.
I know, I know, I know…it’s Michael Jordan. But, at this point in his life, MJ should not be featured on the cover of NBA 2K11.
HEll Yeaa
[...] in a statement Jordan says “I have no doubt that NBA 2K11 will be a big hit with gamers and basketball fans [...]
Yes he doesn’t play in the L anymore, but he is the most deserving player EVER
And FINALLY people can play as the GOAT in a next gen video game
What else could an nba fan want?
i believe he doesn’t. at all. simple as that. he’s not relevant like that anymore. simple as that.
He will ALWAYS be relevant like that.
Proof will be in the sales. I have never played NBA 2k. I hated 2k baseball, and hockey when I bought them last year. Yet, here I am, already in line (so to speak) to buy NBA 2k11.
A couple of other guys I know (one older, and one much younger) are already planning on getting the game. The younger one wants to buy 2 copies so he can keep one as a collector piece. The older one doesn’t even play sports games, but loved MJ, so he is getting it to try it out.
Not relevant? LMAO
Nice conversation piece, but really just fuel for haters, that’s all.
i believe you contrictedyour self too many times in this… like make up your mind lol.. but bottom line is that the cover doesnt make the GAME. so they could have Barack Obama for all i care.. as long as the game is still the ish
If he is actually in the game then yes. But I don’t think that he should be on the cover of the most glitched up, jacked up gameplay, no user-control, horrible A.I. game like NBA 2K. It’ll be a disgrace to MJ.
Yes he deservess it Michael deserves to be the NBA Label. He’s a Hall of famer, He took the game of basketball to another level.
man thats be ridiculous if hes in the cover of 2k11 theres noway theyll let that happen
If I had a dime for every time I came here… Superb writing!
THE RETURN OF THE KING ON COVER OF 2K11 – KOBE, LEBRON & VINCE STUDIED HOW TO BE MIKE WHEN THEY WERE STILL WEARING DIAPERS! MJ GOAT 23 HAS EARN THE RIGHT TO BE ON THE COVER OF 2K11 100 TIMES OVER AGAIN! LONG LIVE THE GOAT!
People live and die for Air Jordan release dates. Of course Jordan is still relevant, plus he has his ownership with the Bobcats, and his motorcycle racing team.
Yeah, I think he will.
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Screw you haters!!! MJ is the best player to have ever graced the court. It’s about time he was actually featured in an NBA video game, rather than just creating your own number 23 for the Bulls. Even though he is no longer playing he is a hell of a lot more relevant than someone like Kobe Bryant – the dirty rapist. It is awesome to finally see him on the cover and in the game.
hell yeah
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Look, MJ does deserve to be the cover star because I’m guessing that most NBA fans loved MJ and would much rather have him on their screens rather than a young, rising star. If Derrick Rose was on the cover of course a younger fan may be interested but the MJ take on this can let younger players relive his greatest moments, moments that they didn’t have the pleasure of witnessing with their own two eyes.
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Man youre NUTS!!!!!! Ofcourse he deserves to be on the cover and in the game he has done things no one imagined that could be done,who has scored 81 points in a gamed DUDE?? no one so stop posting garbage…
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shut up whoever wrote the article. mj is the best
i like basketball .
I will like to say my daughterlike the thing we have out for kids to where.I will like to know now do I get my daughter into fashion modeling design.She is a 12 years old little girl she love fashion.Thank you very much for reading my letter.
MAN WAS THAT UR EMO PHASE,WHERE U CAME UP WIT THAT IDEA.U WANNA GET MURDERED?
let him b cause he is lol