Kobe Bryant - Face of NBA 2K10 (Full Press Release)

[2K Admin Ron]

2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that 11-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, will be featured as the cover athlete and spokesman for the highly anticipated basketball video game, NBA 2K10. After leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a remarkable 65-17 regular season record, Bryant’s star power was a natural fit for the 10th anniversary of the hugely popular NBA 2K franchise, the #1 selling basketball video game* and #1 rated NBA simulation **.

“I’ve been playing sports video games for as long as I can remember and honestly, I’ve never seen one come so close to replicating real basketball. What 2K Sports has done is truly incredible and I’m proud to be a partner with them and on the cover of NBA 2K10,” said Bryant, currently seeking his fourth career NBA championship. “2K Sports is constantly improving and adding something new to their game every year that makes them better and better, and that’s exactly what I try to do each season with my game. It’s as if 2K Sports has been on a sports video game championship run for several years now, and I’m not even sure there’s a word for that kind of dominance.”

To support this announcement, 2K Sports brought on legendary, award-winning film director and die-hard New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee, to produce an exclusive TV spot that aired last night to reveal Kobe Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10. Lee, who recently directed the highly publicized documentary on Kobe Bryant, Kobe Doin’ Work (ESPN Films), is famously known for his intense love and passion for the game of basketball.

“It's quite obvious why 2K Sports put Kobe Bryant on the cover of NBA 2K10, which is the best NBA video game,” said Lee, whose recent documentary on Bryant has earned high praise. “One day Kobe and I will go 1 on 1 playing NBA 2K10.”

In conjunction with the reveal of Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10, 2K Sports will invite fans to vote on their choice for the official box cover. A dedicated voting site will offer fans a selection of NBA 2K10 box covers to choose from, and the voting period is open now through June 15. The box cover that receives the most votes at the end of the voting period will be unveiled as the cover of NBA 2K10 on June 16. More information on voting can be found at the official NBA 2K10 voting site, www.2ksports.com/vote.

Bryant’s star power was evident at an early age when he was drafted out of high school in 1996 from Lower Merion HS (PA). He is widely regarded as one of the best players in NBA history. Given the nickname “Black Mamba,” Bryant has won three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2007-08 NBA season, and most recently, won a gold medal as a member of the 2008 Summer Olympics U.S. Men’s Basketball Team. During his career, Bryant has also led the league in scoring twice, and has been elected to every All-NBA team since 1999, along with being named to nine All-Defensive teams. Since his second year in the league, Bryant has started in every NBA All-Star Game that has been hosted, including winning the All-Star MVP award in 2002, 2007, and 2009.

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K10 is not yet rated by the ESRB and will be available this fall for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™ system from Nintendo, and Windows PC. For more information, please visit www.2ksports.com/games/nba2k10.

* According to The NPD Group estimates of U.S. retail video game sales of Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 NBA titles from October 2008 through April 2009.
** The NBA 2K series, published by 2K Sports, outranked competitors based on GameRankings.com average scores of 2001-2008 NBA video games.

[vince94]

Did I just see a cover for the PSP...:think:

[LiL C SODMG]

kobe n a knickz jersey r u SERIOUS!!!

[Clutch Theory]

I think I will buy the game, then leave the cover at the store. Hehe.

[MVP_KING-JAMES23]

Vote for cover 3...it"s new and fresh somaybe we will get a new and fresh game!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BounceWithMe]

voted for cover 4 the NYK one, and what if NYK one wins?

[kcxiv]

lol Watch the commercial, the Knicks jersey thing is a joke. sheesh. lol

[MVP_KING-JAMES23]

^^^if the new york wins i wouldn't be surprised because this game is already a joke


And has anybody noticed the 360 cover sticks out more than all the others ones at the end of the trailer?????

[BounceWithMe]

i know its a joke but only 3 covers then, and 1 of 3 is like cp3 2k8 and on the 1 kobe screamin - doesnt look like kobe at all

[kcxiv]

^^^if the new york wins i wouldn't be surprised because this game is already a joke


And has anybody noticed the 360 cover sticks out more than all the others ones at the end of the trailer?????

And how do you know that? did you get to play it yet?

[sublime90]

i voted for cover 1, props to having kobe on the cover. love kobe!

[MVP_KING-JAMES23]

And how do you know that? did you get to play it yet?

Im talkin about 2k9 pal:rolleyes:

[RJ-Kidd19]

I picked 1 , 3 looks to cartoony to me..

[BounceWithMe]

check the current standings - NYK 34%
ugly cartoon 30%
first 22%
second 14%
------------------------
go knicks beat LA

[JayMizzle]

The first one is the one that looks more commercial or marketable to me

[JAEViBE]

I Like #3 Now why dont you tell us about the game!

[GoodOiledMachine]

I voted for the New York cover. A true joke video game deserves a joke cover.

[MarkL4L]

Voted for #2

and WTF. #4 is winning.

[Skinny2K8]

Should have been Dwight Howard... Not Kobe

[one11archerave]

"+Sorry New Yorkers, vote all you want, but this one's just for fun."

I voted for two but I kinda like one now. Oh well.

[MarkL4L]

Holy Crap 2k10 for PSP!!!!

[skillz44]

what the heck. 2,3,4 don't even have KB's accesories right. and knicks jersey? what the heck. Cover 1 at least has the left arm band.

[Brooklyn718]

i vote for the wilson chandler one

[shadio3]

WOW, this is amazing.....

there was a time when nba 2k was just another underground basketball game. NBA 2k has grown so much to the point that NO ONE remembers it being a nobody type of game. Everyone knows nba 2k now....EVERYONE including spike lee for crist sakes. Now we have kobe on the front cover.........how did this happen.....i know some where in 2006 is when the change started, but does anyone know when nba 2k became FAMOUS...


VC/2k sports fan

[CASE FILE 24]

man i thought were going to see a teaser of kobe like they did with kg?

[ibe3zy]

WOW, this is amazing.....

there was a time when nba 2k was just another underground basketball game. NBA 2k has grown so much to the point that NO ONE remembers it being a nobody type of game. Everyone knows nba 2k now....EVERYONE including spike lee for crist sakes. Now we have kobe on the front cover.........how did this happen.....i know some where in 2006 is when the change started, but does anyone know when nba 2k became FAMOUS...


VC/2k sports fan

i miss the 2k ps2-2k7 days that didnt include all the baggage this game has acquired.

[CASE FILE 24]

How are people excited seeing spike lee just touching covers of 2k. I really thought they will show a teaser like they did last year with the KG one??/ what is thiss

[MVP_KING-JAMES23]

^^^ no because if they did that then the expectations would be high and they would let us down again...smh

[ibe3zy]

Cover should be number 3 as it is a different pose from all the other generic 2k covers(excluding 2k9) which had players in the same dribbling pose

[T.U.P]

how the hell can there be people critcizing the game by only seeing the cover only wait untill the game or demo comes out after say what you think about the game not before there is even an information about the game.

I voted on number 1

[underated_pg16]

Yeah, wow lots of haters after hearing the news about just the COVER. I mean gameplay comes first which is why I didn't mind KG for 2k9, but even as a Laker fan I also had to give props to KG as a player. It was a good choice for cover athlete last year, and a good choice again for 2k10.

[skillz44]

number 3 doesn't even look like kobe.

[Clutch Theory]

Brian Scalabreezy for 2K10 cover.

[KenleyAreI_PS3]

they should just release all 3
one exclusive cover gamestop, one for amazon, and one for best buy
and the nyk one should be released in new york for ******s

[BounceWithMe]

^ ^
brian scalabreezy for 2k10 cover.
^ ^
<
<

[Skins2K9]

last years cover athlete choice was great. But this year is great too

[IVODEM]

I'm buying this for PS3, PSP, AND XBOX 360!!!

[ShemL]

[Thinks "D'oh" when seeing Kobe as the cover]

Oh, well, as long as it is another fun game, I shouldn't care. :p

Maybe Brandon Roy will get it next year. ;)

[raLe.2k1]

Can Ps3 >Ps2> Xbox360 just have all the 3 different jerseys?? for the cover?

[PMarion]

How are people excited seeing spike lee just touching covers of 2k. I really thought they will show a teaser like they did last year with the KG one??/ what is thiss

yeah i was expecting something like that too! i didnt really like it

[kobefan]

I was looking on live forums somebody said they(nba 2k10) got Kobe, Live better get Rose or Lebron or even Jordan. What do you think if Live some how gets Jordan on their cover.

[Tekkenlaw]

I really hope 2k just disregards fan voting and goes with #1 or #2.

[james1607]

Yeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaa

[peri12]

I really hope 2k just disregards fan voting and goes with #1 or #2.

I agree. #3 isn't good..

[james1607]

Im likin the 1st and 3rd one. which one did u guys pick?

[Grandmaster D]

I prefer Spike Lee as the cover guy. Is there a high res pic somewhere for making it a custom cover?

[ChuckyFE]

Spike Lee needs to send me that Chris Duhon 2k10 cover... I'll use it.

[Baltimorejoe88]

I was looking on live forums somebody said they(nba 2k10) got Kobe, Live better get Rose or Lebron or even Jordan. What do you think if Live some how gets Jordan on their cover.

^If live gets jordan, i'm getting live. I know gameplay means more than the cover and who's in the game, but jordan is the only player that could make me buy a game simply because he's in the game

Dead serious

[walkermi2k5]

This is such exciting news for me! It really brings a smile to my face to see my boy finally get cover boy on a NBA game that really matters. If you ask me....he deserved to be on the cover a couple of times these past few years if cover boys were based off individual statistics or just overall good play. KG deserved to be on 2k9 cover....and CP3 deserved to be on 2k8 cover most definitely......but Shaq didn't deserve 2 years in a row though. His first year as cover boy was well deserved but don't get me wrong though.....Shaq did his thing in the 06-07 season but he really didn't do enough considerably to be on the cover. I'm not complaining or nothing its just that when you look back on the career of KB24, what NBA game covers has the closest rendition to MJ graced besides his own game (and were not even gonna count NBA 07 :thumbsdow:rotfl:).

Personally I just think that should of been Kobe's year of being on the cover in my eyes. But then again back then....we didn't have the choice to vote for who goes on the cover.....so it was completely up to 2K on who graced the cover. Either ways.....to make a long story short.....I'm happy for number 24.....good good game yesterday.....nice way to take the LEAD LA (1-0).....Kobe went nuts.......and hopefully we can bring the good ole' ship back to LA in 6 :dance:.

[kobefan]

Do Live got that kind of paper Jordan be asking for. It would be cool as hell if 2k put Jordan in a mirror and kobe was looking in it.

[CASE FILE 24]

Did I just see a cover for the PSP...:think:
No you didnt

[Babykobe24]

been waiting along time for kobe to be on a cover :thumbsup:

[cdenz11212]

2k10 4 the psp is gonna be fire!!!!!!

[bball230_PS3]

man thats messed up..kobe as the cover.wow lbj should of won it..lead his team on his back the whole way...he was mvp, only his 2nd never a cover athelete n u giv it to lame kobe...ok good luck with that

[Hesk112]

I like the third cover if the game (the whole game and not parts of it) match the cover pic!!!
cover 2 seems the more realistic choice, but we'll see.

[KiNg-Of-KiNgs-93]

man thats messed up..kobe as the cover.wow lbj should of won it..lead his team on his back the whole way...he was mvp, only his 2nd never a cover athelete n u giv it to lame kobe...ok good luck with that

I'm sure LeBron would demand much more $$$

[f2ther]

Kobe Kobe Kobe...MVP MVP MVP

[smidtitus]

Man it should have been lebron james

[iMaB0$$]

f2ther, get off his nuts

[TimDunkem]

Kobe deserves it, but it's amazing 2k has never shown love for the Spurs. Chris Paul in 2008. Wtf?

[vidalsports]

I think Kobe Deserves it. King James Maybe Should Have the Ps3 Cover and KB24 the Xbox360

[Mossphirunpong]

Vote for the cover??? Why don't they just make all the covers and let us pick whatever we want from the shop, even i Vote for cover and i still don't get the cover i want, Voting for wat??? just make all the covers so we can choose the cover we want,,

I'm really enjoy NBA 2K9 at the moment but i think NBA2K10 should improve on broadcasting and computer ablility coz i always make CPU vs CPU and watch it in season..

Should have all the legend teams, and international teams , and more realistic on the court side like real V.I.P. NBA fans and some movie stars or superstars from other NBA teams come watch the game, camera flashing...and i think Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant look taller in the real game but they look short in the 2k9 game and kobe looked skinny and other player should look taller a bit too...and computer should do more dunking style(bring dunking style from Slamdunk contest into the game coz they always do similar dunk No 360 No flashy No fantasy dunk in the game when they all alone on the way to the rim) and upgrade in the season game play, have some storylines, should have more highlights from the games in season mode...and able to bring roster from season mode to the main...atmosphere outside the stadium, locker room, player having fun with fans and enjoyable on court with opposite team players and starting lineup show and main players stat from both team and when starting the game should have main player hightlight from last game..

I'll let u know if i can think of anything else, sorry...i just want to play a really good game
and still wait for NFL2K10

[Golden Child 617]

its just for fun

[Stilesy]

I voted cover 3 and love the way 2k is giving the fans some ownership over the direction of the franchise, even if it's just the cover. Nice stuff :thumbsup:

[CapZLoCk87]

Kobe deserves it, but it's amazing 2k has never shown love for the Spurs. Chris Paul in 2008. Wtf?

Showin love for the Spurs ? Only ppl in SA love them, and some french ppl who think TP is the best player ever haha (and i know what im talkin about)

[qucee198412]

kobe n a knickz jersey r u SERIOUS!!!

if that would get reality. Man, that would be the greatest game cover ever...

[CapZLoCk87]

if that would get reality. Man, that would be the greatest game cover ever...

It would be. But it wont be unfortunately.

[TimDunkem]

Showin love for the Spurs ? Only ppl in SA love them, and some french ppl who think TP is the best player ever haha (and i know what im talkin about)

I'm sure everyone loved the nut punching CP3 after his first season huh? However, Four chips go by, and no one on the Spurs made a cover until Live. Live sucks. :(

Some would argue that Tony is the best player to come out of France. Of course they love him. He tore up their league in his teens. :rotfl:

[Ivan/#4\Boboshko]

ain't wilkins french? if so, he's by far the greatest!

[Adzs 2k]

Im talkin about 2k9 pal:rolleyes:

If u think its that bad play live init

[Adzs 2k]

I think Kobe Deserves it. King James Maybe Should Have the Ps3 Cover and KB24 the Xbox360

Y not the other way round? u obviously have a ps3 ;D

[kobefan]

Did anybody see Kobe in the greenhttp://img81.imageshack.us/img81/56/nba2k10celts.jpgwho :eek:who ever:chicken: is behind this must come to a stop:nono::noagree::box::thumbsdow:rotfl::rotfl:

[CASE FILE 24]

That looks better then the yellow and blue imo

[DJ Sixx12]

Heroic kobe cover!!!!!!

[Clutch Theory]

Ewww.. Kobe in a Celtics uniform

[Chris it is]

I VOTED #4
just to irritate the lakers fan :)

[Ivan/#4\Boboshko]

man thats messed up..kobe as the cover.wow lbj should of won it..lead his team on his back the whole way...he was mvp, only his 2nd never a cover athelete n u giv it to lame kobe...ok good luck with that

m8, with ur logic, kobe should have gotten the last years cover... MVP, leads team to finals, maybe we'll see bron on 2k11? huh? no1 knows... :D

[RogerMason8]

Hmm... The cover everyone seems to be voting for doesn't look like Kobe at first glance. Maybe it's just me, or it's just a bad angle of him. I personally like the cover where it looks like he is going up for a fancy layup.

[vidalsports]

Y not the other way round? u obviously have a ps3 ;D

I have them both Man, and I like my 360 better. I just think that King James deserves some love too for the season he had.:cool:

[vidalsports]

Hmm... The cover everyone seems to be voting for doesn't look like Kobe at first glance. Maybe it's just me, or it's just a bad angle of him. I personally like the cover where it looks like he is going up for a fancy layup.

:cool: That's the one I voted for too. It looks more real. Don't get me wrong I like the screaming one too, but your right it's a bad angle of him.

[NeSeNVi]

My fav has now only 21% :(
Go Kobe for 2nd win today!

---
I don't believe in Magic.

[drae2]

Why didn't VC show any games at E3?

[T-I3one_Tony]

I am really glad how you guys put Kobe Bryant on the cover ! have you guys have a interview with Kobe yet ? about the cover .... ?

[JayMizzle]

prolly so since they agreed to put him on the cover...but i wouldn't be surprised if they didn't seeing as though the finals are still going on.

[kcxiv]

I am sure after the Finals' we will get an interview with Kobe and he will more then likely go to the 2K studios as all cover athletes do that.

Kobe is just a bit busy right now. lol

[Zeq]

This is one of the best covers imo.

[Th3Birdman]

I don't think Kobe should have gotten the cover- LeBron had a much better individual season than Kobe, as he has had for the past 4 years. How can 2K seriously put Kobe on the cover?? I though they turned over a new leaf last year putting Garnett, someone who deserved the cover... LBJ23 had done so much for his team, and yet Kobe gets the cover. So biased. I don't think I even want to play this game. I bet Kobe still is going to be a 99, right?? Bull

[SinLes12]

I don't think Kobe should have gotten the cover- LeBron had a much better individual season than Kobe, as he has had for the past 4 years. How can 2K seriously put Kobe on the cover?? I though they turned over a new leaf last year putting Garnett, someone who deserved the cover... LBJ23 had done so much for his team, and yet Kobe gets the cover. So biased. I don't think I even want to play this game. I bet Kobe still is going to be a 99, right?? Bull

Kobe is better than Lebron point blank... his statistics MEAN NOTHING right now cuz he got put out. they wanted to do something special cuz lebron is about to be that guy but for now kobe haters you must execpt it kobe is the best.

[Apoplexy00]

I don't think Kobe should have gotten the cover- LeBron had a much better individual season than Kobe, as he has had for the past 4 years. How can 2K seriously put Kobe on the cover?? I though they turned over a new leaf last year putting Garnett, someone who deserved the cover... LBJ23 had done so much for his team, and yet Kobe gets the cover. So biased. I don't think I even want to play this game. I bet Kobe still is going to be a 99, right?? Bull

So you don't think you will play the game because Kobe is on the cover? LMAO WHO CARES? Its just somebody on a cover
Even though Kobe is the best player in basketball

[Aznlilkid19]

I don't think Kobe should have gotten the cover- LeBron had a much better individual season than Kobe, as he has had for the past 4 years. How can 2K seriously put Kobe on the cover?? I though they turned over a new leaf last year putting Garnett, someone who deserved the cover... LBJ23 had done so much for his team, and yet Kobe gets the cover. So biased. I don't think I even want to play this game. I bet Kobe still is going to be a 99, right?? Bull

lebron and wade should be 99s foor individual statistics but kobe should also be 99 because of things he does off the stat sheet like effecting his team

[BDMack]

has anyone else noticed how the second one looks like the NBA symbol..?

[Rocket Legend]

kobe kobe kobe...<http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6581/2k10tmac.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/2k10tmac.jpg/)

[caloydaman]

I think I will buy the game, then leave the cover at the store. Hehe.
lmao:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rot fl::dance::rotfl::dance::rotfl::rotfl::lol::lol::l ol::D

[caloydaman]

I don't think Kobe should have gotten the cover- LeBron had a much better individual season than Kobe, as he has had for the past 4 years. How can 2K seriously put Kobe on the cover?? I though they turned over a new leaf last year putting Garnett, someone who deserved the cover... LBJ23 had done so much for his team, and yet Kobe gets the cover. So biased. I don't think I even want to play this game. I bet Kobe still is going to be a 99, right?? Bull.


Looks like your the biased... Your is in the not gonna play the game cause Kobe is in the cover? If your Clutch theory, it's acceptable:lol:... And Lebron is also gonna be 99.... Well, most likely.

[kobe8ryant24]

kobe kobe kobe...<http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6581/2k10tmac.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/2k10tmac.jpg/)

there's a custom cover thread.....:rolleyes:

[kobe8ryant24]

I don't think Kobe should have gotten the cover- LeBron had a much better individual season than Kobe, as he has had for the past 4 years. How can 2K seriously put Kobe on the cover?? I though they turned over a new leaf last year putting Garnett, someone who deserved the cover... LBJ23 had done so much for his team, and yet Kobe gets the cover. So biased. I don't think I even want to play this game. I bet Kobe still is going to be a 99, right?? Bull

Wow, you made an account just to declare your love for LeBron James. If you follow the NBA, you would know that Kobe just lead his team to the championship. You tell me sir, how LeBron is doing more than Kobe. And why would LeBron be a 99 and not Kobe? The Finals MVP, NBA CHAMPION, Olympic Gold Medalist...Yea, I'd say Kobe Bryant is pretty deserving of this cover. I never complain when they don't put Kobe on the cover, so why would you go and make an account just to complain that LeBron didn't get the cover? settle down :thumbsup:

[Roma]

In the next year,i hope wele see the Breven Knight on the cover!!!

[ballerblok]

kobe kobe kobe...<http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6581/2k10tmac.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/2k10tmac.jpg/)

lmao thats my cover :D

[SinLes12]

The kobe hate is so annoying... A player masters every part of a game you love then you hate the player. It's flaburgasting...

[Milk Diamondz]

The kobe hate is so annoying... A player masters every part of a game you love then you hate the player. It's flaburgasting...

Its not his game that people hate he is amazing, but what brings Kobe so much hate is his arrogance. But I think since hes toned it down since a lot of critics have bashed him about it.

[Hesk112]

confidence vs. arrogance. what a fine line to walk.

[kobe8ryant24]

arrogant in what ways

[Shanky1]

Bottom line is: Great players in any sport can be arrogant if they want to because they can back it up with their play. Don't forget that MJ was arrogant, but he doesn't warrant as many haters as Kobe. I think a lot of it is due to media. Kobe was hated on ever since he got in the league and because he was very young, he didn't handle the media as well as MJ did.

[Ivan/#4\Boboshko]

Bottom line is: Great players in any sport can be arrogant if they want to because they can back it up with their play. Don't forget that MJ was arrogant, but he doesn't warrant as many haters as Kobe. I think a lot of it is due to media. Kobe was hated on ever since he got in the league and because he was very young, he didn't handle the media as well as MJ did.

speaking the truth there...

[nthomas00]

I guess it is would be fitting that he would be the face because the Lakers won the championship. I hope the graphics are as good as they were on 2k9.

[D1G1TAL GANGSTA]

Good choice with kobe,lebron didn't make it to the finals

[ThuglifeJ]

ha.

If LBJ was on it I wouldnt buy it.

[Hesk112]

arrogant in what ways

I'm just saying... to me its the same thing people call it one or the other depending on how its delivered.
"like love and hate, same emotion different weight. ppl love to have so i know you know just how this song relates...."-Acey-

[wackyjackson]

its not called arrogant its SWAGGER, MJ had and so does KB when your the best in the world you can act like your the best in the world

[sachbosqueeze]

nba 2k10 should be more realistic i hate going through other players

[Ivan/#4\Boboshko]

nba 2k10 should be more realistic i hate going through other players


feels awkward, doesnt it? :rotfl::rotfl:

[Answer-3]

I do not know guys as to you better AI is not

[KOOL2K7]

i like all 3*********

[aloncho11]

Bottom line is: Great players in any sport can be arrogant if they want to because they can back it up with their play. Don't forget that MJ was arrogant, but he doesn't warrant as many haters as Kobe. I think a lot of it is due to media. Kobe was hated on ever since he got in the league and because he was very young, he didn't handle the media as well as MJ did.

True. Despite being arrogant when he was at the top, MJ build up a "competitive" personality rather than an "arrogant" personality, which is what Kobe did.