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NBA 2K12
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-Jabbar
Season: 1986-87
Matchup: Lakers vs. Celtics
Player: Larry Bird
Season:1985-86
Matchup: Celtics vs. Hawks
Player: Wilt Chamberlain
Season: 1971-72
Matchup: Lakers vs. Knicks
Player: Julius Erving
Season: 1984-85
Matchup: 76ers vs. Bucks
Player: Patrick Ewing
Season: 1994-95
Matchup: 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?
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