NBA 2K21 cover athletes (Lillard current gen, Zion next-gen, Kobe Legend both)

[ThePointForward]

Making this thread to keep this news in one place I guess.

2K revealed on TikTok (lol I know, feels like the "How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?" meme) that they'll announce their new cover athletes next week, specifically on June 30, July 1 and July 2.
So three cover athletes total, I assume for main/US edition since they often run extra cover athletes in various countries.

They also say more info will be dropping during the week.

The video (mirror, not on TikTok): https://streamable.com/xpcv3y

EDIT 2020/06/30:
Current gen cover athlete is Damian Lillard


EDIT 2020/07/01:
Next-gen standard edition cover athlete is Zion Williamson, in an absolute shock to exactly nobody. But they did change colour scheme a bit.


EDIT 2020/07/02:
As many expected, Kobe is on the cover of "Mamba Forever Edition". For both gens.
Current gen:

Next gen:

[Andrew]

I'm guessing Zion Wiliamson as the main cover player, Vince Carter as the Legend Edition, and a special Kobe Bryant edition.

[I Hate Mondays]

I'm guessing Zion Wiliamson as the main cover player

Why have Anthony Davis promote the whole thing in a tik tok video though?

[Andrew]

Because he's the current cover player and one of their brand athletes, I assume. By the same token, why use Zion Williamson in the announcement trailer if he's not the cover player (or potentially one of a few cover players)?

[Wolfy03]

Seems like Lillard is the chosen one:

[ThePointForward]

According to NBA2K subreddit's mod who's in touch with VC this is cover for current gen version that will be on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia.

Which also means that it looks like no next-gen for PC this year. Pre-Orders opening on July 2, so I guess we'll know 100% in couple days.

[Andrew]

My predictions for Next Gen and the Legend Edition are still in play, but as i said in the other topic, didn't see the Dame announcement coming. Once again though, solid choice.

[sticky-fingers]

Is it PC cover ?

[Andrew]

It's sounding like it.

[ThePointForward]

I'd agree with Zion for next-gen cover, but I'm going with Vince Carter for legends. Kobe feels too off putting for seemingly profiting off of his death.

[[Q]]

I'd agree with Zion for next-gen cover, but I'm going with Vince Carter for legends. Kobe feels too off putting for seemingly profiting off of his death.

Kobe seemed to make the most sense, but it does seem a bit "too soon", especially with the 2020 we've been having so far. I would put money on Vince now as well, especially with him recently offically retiring

[Andrew]

There definitely is that aspect to putting Kobe on the Legend Edition cover. On one hand, I think it's something that a lot of people would welcome. On the other hand, using his likeness to sell the most expensive edition of the game could be seen as cashing in on tragedy and grief, so it may not come across as the fitting tribute it normally would be.

[voidjointx]

So y'all "OK" with PC being current gen?

[Andrew]

I'd already prepared myself for the possibility given what happened in 2013, so I think that's cushioned me from being too disappointed. I also feel like there are some upsides to it.

Chances are our modding tools will be compatible, either immediately or with a few adjustments. As for the game itself, it'll be coming out in October, whereas the Next Gen version is going to launch later with the consoles. As such, we won't have to wait. Also, if there are any teething problems with the Next Gen version's tech, or if it's missing key features/modes like NBA 2K14 on PS4/X1 did, the PC version won't inherit those issues this year.

That's looking on the bright side, of course. There's also a chance we'll miss out on cool things, not to mention the new tech that's been developed. I imagine we'll be suffering the same legacy issues we have for a number of years now. Once again though, there's no guarantee that the Next Gen version of NBA 2K21 will get everything right out of the gate, so there's a good chance we'll avoid certain drawbacks as well as suffer them. I doubt Next Gen will be perfect, so both versions will have their pros and cons.

I think at the end of the day, it is what it is. It would seem it's going to be a Current Gen port for PC, so the choices are to either weather it for a year, or boycott it; whichever we all personally feel the most comfortable with doing. Looking back at NBA 2K14 PC, we've been able to get a fair bit of mileage out of that game, and projects like the Ultimate Base Roster eased the blow of missing out on the Next Gen release. I believe there are positives to consider and I'd personally prepared myself for the possibility, but I won't begrudge anyone their disappointment or desire to skip a year given the circumstances.

[voidjointx]

I'd rather try incomplete next-gen game than the same old game that's coming out for the 6th straight year

[Andrew]

That's fair, too.

[gregotin]

So y'all "OK" with PC being current gen?

I'm not ok with that because the reason would basically be the money. I mean selling consoles. This seems kind of unfair to me.

Besides, there is a bright side like Andrew said. I really hope this will improve modding community projects (like UBR for example). But for now, we're not 100% sure that pc will be current gen. There is hope I mean, the 2k league on pc, the microsoft xbox/pc closeness, etc. I'm not saying there is a BIG hope but it could happen...

[ThePointForward]

I'll just skip a year or grab 21 in sale for €4 late in the cycle.

Free time's rare as it is and I already have my hands full managing an Arma 3 community, let alone playing some Arma 3 myself and assortment of other games.
I'm planning to buy a new GPU, probably RTX 3080. I'm also trying to save money otherwise to be able to get a mortgage (yay) so I just won't buy any of the new consoles. Most games are gonna come to PC anyway, including stuff that would otherwise be Xbox or PS exclusives.
So for me buying a console only for NBA 2K is just... waste of money. At the same time I never actually finished the first season in MyCareer of 2K20 so it's not like there's not stuff for me to do.
It's not even really a boycott either.

[Wolfy03]

Zion is the second

phpBB [video]

[Wolfy03]

[TGsoGood]

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

Definitely less of a surprise than Damian Lillard. I'm seeing some hate for it on Twitter, but if anyone encompasses the concept of the next generation in the NBA right now, it's Zion Williamson.

[Wolfy03]

And the third one is Kobe:

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

2/3 on predictions this year. Pretty cool cover art for the Mamba Forever edition, too.

[Pep]

IMO afro Kobe is the best cover and Zion is worst (so garrish). Although I must to be nitpicky, because:
1st - Kobe never wore nike logo on Lakers uniforms
2nd - Kobe in his Afro times wore adidas shoes but I understand that nike endorsement is still running so they need to change that (plus for them for using Huarache 2k4).