Cover Player Speculation

[Andrew]

So, an ultimately inconsequential decision for anyone who cares about the quality of the game itself, but an interesting talking point nevertheless, and significant to EA Sports in terms of getting a player with name and brand recognition. Who do you think it's going to be?

The advertisements for EA Play certainly seem to be dropping strong hints about it being Russell Westbrook again, which would make it the first time NBA Live has repeated a cover player (back-to-back or otherwise). Considering he's a finalist for the MVP award and achieved something historically significant this past season, he remains a pretty good choice as far as giving the game a big name for the cover, which again helps with the branding.

[ThaLiveKing]

I kind of hope it's Kawhi Leonard ...Wouldn't mid Westbrook though

[Andrew]

I like Kawhi, and he deserves the recognition of being a cover player for one of the games, one of these years. Only problem might be a lack of marketing "sizzle". His brilliance flies under the radar, which doesn't make him the ideal candidate to move units.

[mp3]

I honestly thought it would be someone like John Wall sticking with the line of point guards on the cover I also thought it could be the up and coming Greek Freak but now I think it's Westbrook after seeing the advertising.

I also thought about them poaching James Harden from 2k too.

[[Q]]

It'll probably be Westbrook but Greak Freak would be a solid pick. Kawhi as well, but again he''s on the Spurs and isn't flashy so maybe not the best marketing-wise

[ThaLiveKing]

I disagree, Tim Duncan was on the cover. Folks know who Kawhi is.

[mp3]

Tim Duncan was already a house hold name tho surprisingly Leonard isn't still

[Andrew]

Yeah, Duncan was a big deal from the moment he got into the league, and was fresh off a championship to boot. We're also looking at a different time, before the massive hype train that is the preview season these days, and when NBA Live was the dominant brand.

It's not that Kawhi is a complete unknown or totally unmarketable, but he is probably overlooked and doesn't have the flashiness and popularity that other players do. I don't think he'd be a bad choice, but he's maybe not the most eye-catching or "exciting" name they could use. He obviously deserves more credit and attention than he gets, but he doesn't tend to get the headlines, so in that respect, he's perhaps not the optimal choice for a cover player.

[Murat]

ea should come up with a name that could make sensation.

I mean, for instance they pick up Brandon Ingram. reactions should be WTF, lol really... but you know, there is a reaction. people asks why Ingram?

it should make controversy so NBA LIVE 18 can get a bit popular around gamers.

think of JORDAN being cover guy for 2k11. not the same thing but back then basketball fans were amazed and NBA 2K11 is still one of the most popular games in sports history

[mp3]

I can see your point in marketing that way and I did wonder about if EA jumped on the Karl Anthony Towns bandwagon but isn't he the 2k's app cover player this year?

[Dee4Three]

I like Kawhi, and he deserves the recognition of being a cover player for one of the games, one of these years. Only problem might be a lack of marketing "sizzle". His brilliance flies under the radar, which doesn't make him the ideal candidate to move units.

Antoine Walker was on the cover of NBA Live 99...

Three point sizzle.

[Andrew]

Admittedly we haven't done it in a while, but every time we've done a "Worst NBA Live Cover Player" poll, it's been Antoine Walker. He'd probably still rank up there if we held another poll, if not remaining the #1 choice. He did make sense at the time though, seeming like a star on the rise, but it's not a choice that holds up particularly well.

Putting Brandon Ingram on the cover wouldn't be comparable to putting Michael Jordan on the NBA 2K11 cover, outside of both being surprising moves. The reason the latter decision caused buzz is because it's the greatest player of all-time and someone who has instant brand recognition. It was also the first time in over a decade that there was no NBA Live release, and NBA 2K was firmly establishing itself as the dominant brand as well. NBA 2K11 holds up as a great game because it was indeed a great game when it was released. The cover player and historical content it brought were the cherry on top.

Obviously, NBA Live will need to bring it in terms of gameplay and modes (and hopefully long overdue customisation), but as far as strong marketing is concerned, a big established star is the most logical move for the cover.

[Murat]

I think a cover that includes Draymond Green and LeBron James would be interesting. Similar to PES 5's cover


This game brought huge success for the series.

[zz21]

I think a cover that includes Draymond Green and LeBron James would be interesting. Similar to PES 5's cover

[ Image ]
This game brought huge success for the series.

Not much success afterwards though.
http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/04/pes-2017- ... 7-6171611/

PES and Live are actually in pretty similar situations.

[Murat]

When you fail to get the licences, it happens. The gameplay of PES was not that bad - it got so much improved in recent years, but when you don't see the best leagues of world got in the game, this happens.

Even the finalists of Champions League; Real Madrid and Juventus are NOT in the game. PC gamers may not consider this as an issue, but for PS4 and XB1 the situation is terrible.

EA has lost its chance of making such a cover though, as Kyrie Irving will be the cover guy of NBA 2K18.

https://twitter.com/NBA2K/status/870248602970406914

[[Q]]

They can still do Zaza vs Tristan Thompson cover lol

How do you make a soccer game without real Madrid?? Might as well give up and create a fictional league like they did in Blitz The League

[ThaLiveKing]

lol...this year's PES is pretty good. They should put Dwight Howard on the cover to reminisce of Live 10 lol

[zz21]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Liv ... ame_series)


Some surprising developments

[Andrew]

Ah, the Kwame Brown Wikipedia edit. A classic!

[zz21]

I wonder who it is though

That could just be a placeholder but the body doesn't really match Westbrook.

[Andrew]

Yeah, if that's a hint, it's not Westbrook.

[iamSamke]

This looks like Curry to me. But I doubt.
Anyway, I really hope EA won't mess up this year, because I'd really like to play NBA Live, instead of 2K, but every year Live messes up. Can't wait for more news.

[PeacemanNOT]

It could be Steph Curry, although I'd say it's just a placeholder:



It actually kind of looks like Austin Rivers too lol

[[Q]]

Totally a placeholder. We'll see it in due time. What about that bus stop ad with Westbrook?

[zz21]

I'm wondering if we'll have 2 covers this year. All of the other EA Sports games that have been announced have alt covers.

Totally a placeholder. We'll see it in due time. What about that bus stop ad with Westbrook?

My guess is if we get 2 covers, Westbrook will be the standard cover.