The lights are on
Gamers can take the court with basketball hall of famers like Jerry West, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain in this year's installment.
We already knew Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Dr. J, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Michael Jordan were appearing in the NBA's Greatest mode. Now ESPN has revealed all 15 legends and given us a glimpse of the team matchups as well. Here is the full list:
Player: Kareem Abdul-JabbarSeason: 1986-87 Matchup: Lakers vs. Celtics
Player: Larry BirdSeason:1985-86 Matchup: Celtics vs. Hawks
Player: Wilt ChamberlainSeason: 1971-72Matchup: Lakers vs. Knicks
Player: Julius ErvingSeason: 1984-85Matchup: 76ers vs. Bucks
Player: Patrick EwingSeason: 1994-95Matchup: Knicks vs. Magic
Player: Magic Johnson Season: 1990-91 Matchup: Lakers vs. Trailblazers
Player: Michael Jordan Season: 1992-93 Matchup: Bulls vs. Hornets
Player: Karl Malone Season: 1997-98 Matchup: Jazz vs. Spurs
Player: Scottie Pippen Season: 1995-96 Matchup: Bulls vs. Supersonics
Player: Oscar Robertson Season: 1970-71 Matchup: Bucks vs. Lakers
Player: Hakeem Olajuwon Season: 1993-94 Matchup: Rockets vs. Nuggets
Player: Isiah Thomas Season: 1988-89 Matchup: Pistons vs. Bulls
Player: Bill Russell Season: 1964-65 Matchup: Celtics vs. Lakers
Player: John Stockton Season: 1997-98 Matchup: Jazz vs. Lakers
Player: Jerry West Season: 1970-71 Matchup: Lakers vs. Hawks
Unlike last year's Jordan Challenge mode, you don't need to meet statistical objectives to complete the NBA's Greatest games. All you need to do is put up a 'W' to unlock both teams for use in quick play. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on some of the other classic teams like Walt Frazier's Knicks, Pistol Pete Maravich's Hawks, and David Robinson's Spurs. It will also be fun to pit some of the old era's best players against the modern stars. Who would you take – Wilt Chamberlain or Shaquille O'Neal?
Staying true to the classic games package from last year, the NBA's Greatest matchups channel basketball history with crazy afros, short shorts, accurate rosters, and era-specific arenas. The television style presentation also captures how far sports broadcasting has come in the last 50 years; Bill Russell's game appears in grainy black and white, the early '70s competitions will feature the oversaturated technicolor look, and the contemporary games appear in full HD. Rather than call the games as if they were happening in real-time, the commentary team gives gamers a history lesson about the legends at hand, chronicling their achievements and breaking down how they fit into the legacy of the sport.
Fans who pre-order NBA 2K12 will get two more teams as well: 1990-91 Warriors team that starred Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway and Chris Webber's 2001-02 Kings.
Lockout or not, NBA 2K12 arrives on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 4. Is there anyone missing you would have liked to see included?
Email the author Matt Bertz, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
Guess I'm pre-ordering this then. Gotta love 2K Sports. Or their basketball games at least, I don't play the rest. Still, part of me wishes EA would come back with their series already. See if the can at least match 2K, if not better th -- who am I kidding, that won't happen. Ah well.
Man I can't wait to check out and see how the legend roster will playout in the long run. It is exciting to think about playing as some of the best like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. It should be interesting and a really fun experience!!
Happy to see the Supersonics get some love.
This is a nice feature, but with all the games coming out, I think this one might just have to wait after I'm done with Skyrim and all the other games. Although I might just get it from my friend.
This is incredible. NBA 2K is the best sports franchise of all time.
If the sepia tone is always in effect in the classic mode I will be happy.
Where is Pistol Pete 2k?
The only teams they left off I can think of off the top of my head are the 77 Blazers (but we should still get Bill Walton on the 87 Celts) and George Gervin's Spurs. I also agree with the Reggie Miller comment and the championship Bullets team would be pretty fun too. I have to say though 2K did a fantastic job picking the teams overall.
I believe Dirk Nowitzki needs to appear on the cover of 2K13
All these guys were in NBA2k9. I am not impressed!
These developers have more than earned my 60bucks. The Madden franchise should do as much development as these guys do.
This game seems like an epic sequel to last years beyond stellar b-ball game. Jordan was amazing, and this seems out of this world wicked.
why havent you guys put in Reggie Miller or Charles Barkley it is BS that they are never in the legends, Reggie being one of the purest and clutch shooters of alltime,and also haves the second most 3ptrs in NBA history, And Charles being one the best point and rebound getters in the nba of alltime both always gave Jordan problems anytime he played either of them, you should add them as DLC and then hire some people that know a little bit more on NBA history.
Can a legend be put on a team to play a full season?