The Franchise Man: Imagining the Possibilities of a Magic/Bird Cover

[RaychelSnr]

When I first heard Michael Jordan was going to be gracing the cover of NBA 2K11, my heart jumped. My favorite player of all time was back.

The reason I love basketball was returning to where I live out my dreams on the digital hardwood. I didn’t have to create him again this year like so many times before. NBA 2K11 was bringing me and every other basketball fanatic something that could not be topped.

This happened once before in NBA Live 2000. Jordan was in the game and could be used if unlocked through a one-on-one game. I got my MJ that year with the help of legend Dr. J who sunk a ton of 3s to beat Michael and unlock him for me (yes I know, it’s weird to unlock Jordan via 3-pointers from Julius Erving).

Obviously, it’s a different case this year and an unprecedented one. NBA 2K11 is giving us the ultimate Jordan dream. We get 10 Bulls teams, and we get all of the teams Jordan tormented to play with right out of the box.

Read More - The Franchise Man: Imagining the possibilities of a Magic/Bird cover

[k beast]

first person to comment

[Joka2122]

Second person

[WTF]

Re: The Franchise Man: Imagining the possibilities of a Magic/Bird cover

Guys, we don't do that first and second crap.

Excellent writeup. Good read. I'm as excited as the next guy about Jordan, but Magic/Bird would be crazy too.

[Moe24-]

wow that would be insane...

[youvalss]

Re: The Franchise Man: Imagining the possibilities of a Magic/Bird cover

first person to comment

OMG! Can I have your autograph??!! Pleassseee!!!

On topic, not sure 2K will follow this path next year. I'm sure they'll come up with something big, but I don't think it'll be like that.

I still can’t believe this is true. I seriously don’t even care about the gameplay now as long as I don’t have to create 200 historical players for classic teams like I usually do.

Thankfully, 2K is smart enough to focus on the gameplay even with all the buzz around that classic teams. The day 2K doesn't care about gameplay will be their last year as the leader.

[bbolo84]

Man this would be sick. Another first day buy in my eyes if this was to become reality.

[LingeringRegime]

That would be great.

[jeebs9]

Great idea lol....But I would like to say that we are spoiled this year.

[t-mac357]

Re: The Franchise Man: Imagining the possibilities of a Magic/Bird cover

I don't see how else they are going to top something like this.

[jeebs9]

Re: The Franchise Man: Imagining the possibilities of a Magic/Bird cover

Me either...Unless they take my idea of being able to map your face into your My Player Mode lol

But they have always raise the bar a little more...every year.

[rudeworld]

I dont know about who to put on the cover.... maybe just the NBA logo and have us vote for the 10 greatest games of all-time and in that case we can have more then just players from one generation.... some Jordan, Barkley, Magic, Bird, Dr. J., whomever we decide with a vote of the 10 best games or all-time teams... that way we can have the greatest players ever recreated.... this years is going to be hard to top though!!!

[stlstudios189]

great idea. I cant wait to play as the bad boy pistons

[DaveDQ]

Re: The Franchise Man: Imagining the possibilities of a Magic/Bird cover

A Bird and Magic cover would work, but I think it stops there. I don't think you could do it for 2K12 either. Although, this year may set a small trend, but how long can that last? Of all past players, who else but Jordan really can justify putting a retired player on the cover of an NBA game?

I agree though. What is next for 2K or any other developer? The bar this year has certainly been raised. The cover and what is included with the Jordan challenge etc. has really catapulted this game beyond any other sports gaming release this year. I'm not saying it is the best gameplay experience (we don't know that yet), but the vibe this game has is unmatched. It's interesting too because I don't think any other sports video game can pull from the past like 2K has done with Jordan and have the same success. Michael Jordan is such a huge symbol of excellence, more so than any other athlete in any other sport.

Just on a personal gaming note, this approach 2K Sports is taking is right up there with releasing their 2K5 games at 19.99, and in fear of opening up a can of worms, you can't help but wonder what they could accomplish with other sports titles (if they had the chance). I just think the whole scenario speaks a lot about how much 2K cares about the experience of playing a sports video game.

[The Fight]

Why just Bird and Magic? Why not do the whole dream team/ Olympic angle? 1992 Dream team vs 2012 Dream team? Lebron vs Bird, Wade vs Jordan, D12 vs Ewing...Sorry didn't mean to get carried away...