Who will be the NBA Live 09 cover athlete?

by pastapadre
Posted May 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm

It’s that time of the year when the cover athletes for the upcoming NBA games become a topic of discussion. Given that the NBA Live cover is expected to be announced first and that 2K has shown the tendency to stick with one guy for multiple years (considering the season Chris Paul had that seems likely to continue) this will be a breakdown of the most likely candidates for the NBA Live 09 cover.

Over the past three years the cover of NBA Live has been announced between late April and mid-June. In 06 it was Dwayne Wade (May 9th), in 07 it was Tracy McGrady (June 21st), followed by 08′s Gilbert Arenas (April 28th). Typically they’d like to announce it when interest in the NBA is high and that certainly is never more than during playoff time. It wouldn’t be surprising if the news came out as early as this week.

The Live covers have generally gone to players who have been high profile, successful, and relatively young. With that in mind lets take a look at the top eight possibilities for the cover of NBA Live 09.

First some eliminations: Kobe Bryant (Sony NBA series), Amare Stoudemire (Sony NBA Series), Chris Paul (NBA 2K series), Steve Nash (not interested in being on a cover), Kevin Garnett (NBA Live 2001), Shaquille O’Neal (NBA 2K series), Carmelo Anthony (NBA Live 2005/Street), Dwayne Wade (NBA Live 06), Tracy McGrady (NBA Live 07), Gilbert Arenas (NBA Live 08), Tim Duncan (NBA Live 2000), Allen Iverson (NBA 2K/ESPN series 99-03), Dwight Howard (NBA Ballers)

Outside shot: The potential is there to (for the first time) present the cover to someone who has previously been on. With the attention that the Boston Celtics got this year and the MVP type season that Kevin Garnett had it would be difficult to dismiss him completely as a possibility.

8- Kevin Martin – Sacramento Kings

Martin earns his way onto the list thanks to his 23.7 points per game and that he is an up-and-coming star. He now has two consecutive seasons of over 20 ppg. On the downside he only played in 61 games, the Kings didn’t make the playoffs, and he isn’t recognizable enough yet. He could be someone to watch in future years.

7- Carlos Boozer – Utah Jazz

Boozer is an All-Star that produced 21.1 ppg and 10.4 rpg resulting in the second straight year averaging over a double-double. The Jazz went to the Western Conference Finals last year and have advanced to the second round this year. He would potentially be near the top of this list if it weren’t for being somewhat overshadowed by teammate Deron Williams.

6- Michael Redd – Milwaukee Bucks

In the top 10 in scoring with 22.7 ppg which was actually a drop in production over previous years. Still he is one of the best 3pt shooters in the league and fun to watch. Playing for one of the worst teams though makes him more of a long-shot within this list.

5- Joe Johnson – Atlanta Hawks

If the Hawks were a better team Johnson would be the prototypical NBA Live cover representative. He is on his way to becoming a superstar and made his second All-Star team this year. Leading the Hawks to a surprising challenge of the Boston Celtics in the first round helps his stock but the decision may have already been made. He should be considered one of the leading contenders going into next year.

4- Brandon Roy – Portland Trailblazers

In his first two years Roy has won the Rookie of the Year and been selected to the All-Star team. He has the type of profile (both on and off the court) that would make a company comfortable with having as a representative for their game. He averaged 19.1 ppg and 5.8 apg for a Portland team that surprised many with their competitiveness.

3- Chris Bosh – Toronto Raptors

The video that Bosh made campaigning for All-Star votes probably garnered more attention than his play this year. He did make it for what became his third appearance. Playing in Toronto leads to him being overlooked in a sense but he has the stats to justify being considered for the cover. This is the third straight year that he has averaged over 22 ppg and he also added 8.7 rpg. However he did miss playing in 15 games.

2- Lebron James – Cleveland Cavaliers

There is really no more obvious choice than James for the cover. He is the most marketable player in the league and has transcended the sport like few have since Michael Jordan. But there is a reason why he hasn’t been on a cover yet. He doesn’t need it. He has all the endorsements he wants and video game covers aren’t about the money, they are about the exposure. That could change though if EA ponied up the cash to make him interested. This year he led the league in scoring coming off a season in which he almost single-handedly carried his team to the NBA Finals.

1- Deron Williams – Utah Jazz

If Lebron doesn’t work out for whatever reason that opens the door for Williams. The Williams vs Chris Paul rivalry would then extend to the cover of the two main NBA games. The success of the Jazz can in big part be attributed to the play of Williams. He averaged 18.8 ppg and 10.5 apg this year. It should also be noted that he started every single game. He fits the type of player that has been selected in the past. He is a young exciting player to watch as a leader of a successful team.

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JJ

You gotta put KG on the cover man….. CELTICS RULE…. Maybe for the first time you could put the big 3
JJ

You gotta put KG on the cover man….. CELTICS RULE…. Maybe for the first time you could put the big 3
Dawson’s Creek

Joe Johnson
Dawson’s Creek

Joe Johnson
Josh

It’s gotta be Deron Williams. Like you said Pasta, Ea is always looking for the young up & coming star. I would’ve said Dwight Howard but he’s on the cover of NBA Ballers. Chris Paul already got the cover for NBA 2k8. Kobe & Amare were already on covers of other games. They could use Lebron but you would think they would’ve used him already if they were gonna use him. So that leaves the only obvious choice Deron Williams.
Josh

It’s gotta be Deron Williams. Like you said Pasta, Ea is always looking for the young up & coming star. I would’ve said Dwight Howard but he’s on the cover of NBA Ballers. Chris Paul already got the cover for NBA 2k8. Kobe & Amare were already on covers of other games. They could use Lebron but you would think they would’ve used him already if they were gonna use him. So that leaves the only obvious choice Deron Williams.
pastapadre

[quote comment="20178"]WHy wouldn’t they have Dwight Howard? he not only made the biggest impression throughout the world as “Superman”, but has dominated the playoffs… until this series with Detroit. Deetroittt Basketballllll!!!!

Since the NBA is expanding in the Global market and same with EA why wouldn’t you market your audience, China especially, with the high flying Slam Dunk winner such as Dwight Howard and the last time I checked he was young too.[/quote]

Hes on the cover of NBA Ballers: Chosen One which released just a couple weeks ago. So you can cross him off the list. Otherwise he would’ve certainly been right at the top of the list.

[quote]are you included in that “media”?
hopefully we can hear something by the end of the week! [/quote]

I was originally presented the opportunity to attend but won’t be doing so. Its actually a large event showing off near the entire lineup of upcoming EA Sports titles.

[quote comment="20177"]Carmello Anthony?[/quote]

Not only was he already on the cover but his recent drunk driving arrest would’ve pretty much taking him out of the running anyway.
pastapadre

[quote comment="20178"]WHy wouldn’t they have Dwight Howard? he not only made the biggest impression throughout the world as “Superman”, but has dominated the playoffs… until this series with Detroit. Deetroittt Basketballllll!!!!

Since the NBA is expanding in the Global market and same with EA why wouldn’t you market your audience, China especially, with the high flying Slam Dunk winner such as Dwight Howard and the last time I checked he was young too.[/quote]

Hes on the cover of NBA Ballers: Chosen One which released just a couple weeks ago. So you can cross him off the list. Otherwise he would’ve certainly been right at the top of the list.

[quote]are you included in that “media”?
hopefully we can hear something by the end of the week! [/quote]

I was originally presented the opportunity to attend but won’t be doing so. Its actually a large event showing off near the entire lineup of upcoming EA Sports titles.

[quote comment="20177"]Carmello Anthony?[/quote]

Not only was he already on the cover but his recent drunk driving arrest would’ve pretty much taking him out of the running anyway.
Branigan

Pau Gasol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Branigan

Pau Gasol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8LAL24

[quote comment="20109"]I have to go with Paul Pierce. Hes been in ads for live for like 3 years now lol[/quote]
WOW MOE THX FOR TAKING MY IDEA WHEN I TOLD YOU ON AIM AND YOU TOOK MY IDEA. WOW DUDE U HAD TO DO THAT TO ME.
8LAL24

[quote comment="20109"]I have to go with Paul Pierce. Hes been in ads for live for like 3 years now lol[/quote]
WOW MOE THX FOR TAKING MY IDEA WHEN I TOLD YOU ON AIM AND YOU TOOK MY IDEA. WOW DUDE U HAD TO DO THAT TO ME.
NJNETSFANFORLIF

[quote comment="20194"][quote comment="20109"]I have to go with Paul Pierce. Hes been in ads for live for like 3 years now lol[/quote]
WOW MOE THX FOR TAKING MY IDEA WHEN I TOLD YOU ON AIM AND YOU TOOK MY IDEA. WOW DUDE U HAD TO DO THAT TO ME.[/quote]

Whos Moe?? anyway ..Pasta it should be a soon response??? And are we gonna play some OTP soon? It wulda been a blast playing Hawks-Celtics
NJNETSFANFORLIF

[quote comment="20194"][quote comment="20109"]I have to go with Paul Pierce. Hes been in ads for live for like 3 years now lol[/quote]
WOW MOE THX FOR TAKING MY IDEA WHEN I TOLD YOU ON AIM AND YOU TOOK MY IDEA. WOW DUDE U HAD TO DO THAT TO ME.[/quote]

Whos Moe?? anyway ..Pasta it should be a soon response??? And are we gonna play some OTP soon? It wulda been a blast playing Hawks-Celtics
8LAL24

[quote comment="20195"][quote comment="20194"][quote comment="20109"]I have to go with Paul Pierce. Hes been in ads for live for like 3 years now lol[/quote]
WOW MOE THX FOR TAKING MY IDEA WHEN I TOLD YOU ON AIM AND YOU TOOK MY IDEA. WOW DUDE U HAD TO DO THAT TO ME.[/quote]

Whos Moe?? anyway ..Pasta it should be a soon response??? And are we gonna play some OTP soon? It wulda been a blast playing Hawks-Celtics[/quote]
w/e man hope Mr. Karma knocks on your door
8LAL24

[quote comment="20195"][quote comment="20194"][quote comment="20109"]I have to go with Paul Pierce. Hes been in ads for live for like 3 years now lol[/quote]
WOW MOE THX FOR TAKING MY IDEA WHEN I TOLD YOU ON AIM AND YOU TOOK MY IDEA. WOW DUDE U HAD TO DO THAT TO ME.[/quote]

Whos Moe?? anyway ..Pasta it should be a soon response??? And are we gonna play some OTP soon? It wulda been a blast playing Hawks-Celtics[/quote]
w/e man hope Mr. Karma knocks on your door
Dantecamp

Great article Pasta. I guess the cover will go to either Brandon Roy or Deron Williams. But Joe Johnson may have an outside shot as well.
Dantecamp

Great article Pasta. I guess the cover will go to either Brandon Roy or Deron Williams. But Joe Johnson may have an outside shot as well.
Ruginis

But where is Big Z (Zydrnas Ilgauskas)?
Ruginis

But where is Big Z (Zydrnas Ilgauskas)?
SanitaR

Joe Johnson!!!! ..or Josh Smith
SanitaR

Joe Johnson!!!! ..or Josh Smith
Problem.

Ray Allen. Yao Ming. Josh Howard. David West.

Chris Paul is probably the best candidate for any basketball game this year.
Problem.

Ray Allen. Yao Ming. Josh Howard. David West.

Chris Paul is probably the best candidate for any basketball game this year.
Cody Thrasher

Lebron James should definitely be on the cover. Wade and Anthony have both been on the cover already, and James deserves his shot. If it isn’t LJ, then I’d vote for one of the league’s most underrated players, Chris Bosh. Either of those guys would be a great choice.
Cody Thrasher

Lebron James should definitely be on the cover. Wade and Anthony have both been on the cover already, and James deserves his shot. If it isn’t LJ, then I’d vote for one of the league’s most underrated players, Chris Bosh. Either of those guys would be a great choice.
Nick

I can see Bosh being on the cover but that would be the 2nd toronto player on NBA Live cover
Nick

I can see Bosh being on the cover but that would be the 2nd toronto player on NBA Live cover
Artoficial

I can’t recall but has Kobe every graced a cover. I say give #24 his shot at the cover (this years MVP.
Artoficial

I can’t recall but has Kobe every graced a cover. I say give #24 his shot at the cover (this years MVP.
Sam

Well definetly not kevin martin. i think it should be a superstar. brandon roy will get his year soon. just not this soon. either kobe, lebron, or deron williams.

40% Kobe Bryant

40% LeBron James

20% Deron Williams
Sam

Well definetly not kevin martin. i think it should be a superstar. brandon roy will get his year soon. just not this soon. either kobe, lebron, or deron williams.

40% Kobe Bryant

40% LeBron James

20% Deron Williams
Sam

No wait. I need to change what i wrote before. Either Lebron, Deron Williams, or Joe Johnson.

50% LeBron

30% Joe Johnson

20% Deron Williams

NOT KOBE. since he’s been on ‘The Life’ twice.
Sam

No wait. I need to change what i wrote before. Either Lebron, Deron Williams, or Joe Johnson.

50% LeBron

30% Joe Johnson

20% Deron Williams

NOT KOBE. since he’s been on ‘The Life’ twice.
Sam

And again, i really don’t think people that have been previously on a cover shouldn’t be on one now. say for instance Allen Iverson. He was on a cover too long ago. I’m just saying.
Sam

And again, i really don’t think people that have been previously on a cover shouldn’t be on one now. say for instance Allen Iverson. He was on a cover too long ago. I’m just saying.
Sam

[quote comment="20135"]They should do the same thing as Madden and go with the retired player… Isiah Thomas!! He’s been the most talked about person in the NBA! He’d be perfect.[/quote]

are you crazy? isiah thomas?!?!
Sam

[quote comment="20135"]They should do the same thing as Madden and go with the retired player… Isiah Thomas!! He’s been the most talked about person in the NBA! He’d be perfect.[/quote]

are you crazy? isiah thomas?!?!
Sam

AMARE STOUDEMIRE IS PERFECT!!!….or LEBRON!!..or JOE JOHNSON!!

BUT AMARE IS PERFECT!! EITHER HIM OR LEBRON FOR SURE!
Sam

AMARE STOUDEMIRE IS PERFECT!!!….or LEBRON!!..or JOE JOHNSON!!

BUT AMARE IS PERFECT!! EITHER HIM OR LEBRON FOR SURE!
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

[quote comment="20256"]AMARE STOUDEMIRE IS PERFECT!!!….or LEBRON!!..or JOE JOHNSON!!

BUT AMARE IS PERFECT!! EITHER HIM OR LEBRON FOR SURE![/quote]

Amare was just on Sony’s NBA 08.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

[quote comment="20256"]AMARE STOUDEMIRE IS PERFECT!!!….or LEBRON!!..or JOE JOHNSON!!

BUT AMARE IS PERFECT!! EITHER HIM OR LEBRON FOR SURE![/quote]

Amare was just on Sony’s NBA 08.
alex1

i have to agree that dwight howard should be the best choice. maybe a trio cover of the celtics(awaiting championship ofcourse)
alex1

i have to agree that dwight howard should be the best choice. maybe a trio cover of the celtics(awaiting championship ofcourse)
CAE

Allthough I dont care for NBA Live I would really like to see Deron on the cover and hell I might even buy it for that alone. It would be great for the Utah Jazz in general. Deron has admitted that he prefers Live over 2k not sure why but whatever.
CAE

Amare and Dwight are allready on covers of games they cant be on live for some time some stupid clause.
CAE

Allthough I dont care for NBA Live I would really like to see Deron on the cover and hell I might even buy it for that alone. It would be great for the Utah Jazz in general. Deron has admitted that he prefers Live over 2k not sure why but whatever.
CAE

Amare and Dwight are allready on covers of games they cant be on live for some time some stupid clause.
http://www.nba.com/ Franjo

i wish if there would be kobe on the cover he werent in the other nba live covers
http://www.nba.com Franjo

i wish if there would be kobe on the cover he werent in the other nba live covers