NBA 2k is the closest thing the average NBA fan can get to experience what it is like to be a professional. Whether the player creates his own character or controlling actual NBA stars, the video game has given unlimited freedom and expression to people around the world. NBA stars also get to have the privilege and honor of being on the cover of the global game, which shows their level of fame and dominance in the league.
We have seen some iconic names on the covers of NBA 2k games including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant among others; but some stars have shockingly never made a cover. Some of these stars are multiple time NBA champions and even Finals MVPs but they never quite got that honor. Here are the 10 superstar players who have never been on an NBA 2K cover before excluding 4-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade who was on last year’s Legend Edition cover.
10. Vince Carter
In terms of pure Fame and watchability, Vince Carter should have made a 2k cover. He was never the best player in the league at any point which probably acted against him, but his athleticism and highlight-reel skills made him an icon in the NBA. Certainly enough to make him a cover candidate.
Vince Carter was an 8-time All-Star and is regarded as the greatest dunker of all time. His ability to jump out the roof and place opponents on posters also makes him one of the most enjoyable players in any 2K game. For fans worldwide, “Half Man, Half Amazing” would have been an incredible cover athlete.
9. Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is one of the best scorers of his generation and is currently ranked 9th all-time in point scored. As a member of the Nuggets and Knicks, he was recognized as one of the top five players in the world. Unfortunately for Carmelo, he never had any postseason success and that is the reason he is not mentioned among the greats in his draft class including LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
But in 2K, Carmelo is an unstoppable force. He is one of the most exciting players to play with because he can make shots from anywhere and has a perfect blend of skill and athleticism. But for whatever reason, Carmelo never made an NBA 2k cover while the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have.
8. Dwight Howard
A 3-time Defensive Player of the Year and a future Hall of Famer, Dwight Howard is one of the best players to have never been on the cover of any 2K game. Howard was a 6’10” beast who could block shots left and right in the game, and was capable of grabbing 20 rebounds with ease. Probably due to his limited offensive skill set, he was never the most attractive player to earn 2K cover recognition.
But he is without a doubt one of the best big men of his era. Dwight was a force on defense and when catching lobs, he was almost unstoppable. After all, this is the same star player that led the Orlando Magic to a spot in the NBA Finals in 2009. Even though Howard had his prime cut short due to injuries, he is an all-time great big man.
7. Paul Pierce
“The Truth” was also overshadowed by the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony because of his rather slow-paced playing style, but Paul Pierce is easily one of the best scorers of his generation. Pierce was a 10-time All-Star, 4-time All-NBA Team performer, and the 2008 Finals MVP.
But Pierce never earned a spot as a cover athlete. He was playing in an era with too many great players who were much more popular. 2K Games are aware of popularity when picking cover athletes and Paul Pierce was not quite on that level. But in terms of skill and impact, Pierce is one of the best players on this list.
6. Tracy McGrady
Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady is a 7-time All-Star and 7-time All-NBA superstar who was surprisingly never the athlete on the cover of any 2K game. Despite challenging Kobe Bryant as the best shooting guard in the NBA as a member of the Orlando Magic, McGrady never quite got the nod over the likes of Chris Paul, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Garnett as the face of the video game.
McGrady holds career averages of 19.6 PPG including seasons where he averaged 32.1 PPG (2003) and 28.0 PPG (2004). Even as a member of the Houston Rockets, McGrady was one of the most explosive players in the league and has some iconic moments including a monster 13 points in a 33-second performance.
5. Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd is extremely underrated in terms of what he brought to the table as a superstar point guard. Kidd was a 10-time All-Star, 6-time All-NBA performer, and a 9-time All-Defensive star. As the leader of the New Jersey Nets, Kidd led the Nets to 2 NBA Finals appearances although his first ring came with the Mavericks.
Kidd was not particularly athletic outside of his physical strength, which is probably why he did not get the nod over more attractive stars who made the cover of 2K. He was a triple-double threat who was a defensive specialist, but Kidd will likely never have a chance to be the face of the popular video game series.
4. Russell Westbrook
Mr. Triple-Double himself, Russell Westbrook has never been the face of a 2K game. While his former teammate Kevin Durant was on the cover of NBA 2K15, Westbrook never got recognition. Despite being one of the most explosive players in NBA history, he never quite challenged the best players in the league besides his dominant 2016 MVP season.
If there was a chance for Westbrook to be on the cover, it was in 2017. Westbrook had an iconic MVP season which included season averages of 31.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 10.4 APG, and a game-winning shot in his final game of the regular season. Westbrook could still not usurp Stephen Curry and Paul George who earned their spot on the covers of 2K16 and 2K17 respectively.
3. Steve Nash
2-time MVP Steve Nash was never on a 2K cover although other guards such as Allen Iverson (5 times) and Chris Paul (2K8) have had their chance. Iverson was groundbreaking in the NBA and is one of the most beloved superstars in NBA history, so it makes sense why he was selected so many times. But 2K felt Chris Paul was a better option than Steve Nash in 2008.
Even if Nash won 2 MVPs, the majority of fans will rank Chris Paul over Steve Nash in all-time rankings because the former was one of the best defensive guards of his generation. Nash was never much of a defender, although he was a better pure shooter. Still, it is surprising that 2 MVPs could not gift Nash a spot as a cover athlete over Chris Paul.
2. Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard calls himself a “fun guy”, but his rather robotic demeanor makes him a star who is not meant for the spotlight. He has the physical stature and the skills to be the face of the NBA and even a 2K game, but his personality does not shine like the rest of the top NBA superstars. Still, Leonard is a 2-time NBA champion and 2-time Finals MVP who deserves recognition as a 2K cover athlete.
Leonard completed one of the most amazing playoff runs by winning the NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, but he could not usurp Giannis Antetokounmpo or Anthony Davis as the athlete on the cover of NBA 2K20. In terms of pure skill and impact, Leonard is the second-best player ever to not earn a spot on the cover of 2K.
1. Tim Duncan
For some odd reason, 5-time NBA champion Tim Duncan has never been the face of an NBA 2K game. While 2K games have had some great players, some of the chosen players were never as great as Duncan was on both ends of the floor. Duncan also happened to be the most boring superstar in the history of the NBA, which might explain why he was never on a cover.
Tim Duncan was methodical in his play, using the backboard for his jumpers and playing team basketball. Unlike other superstars who prefer to be in the spotlight, Duncan never craved anything more than being the ultimate team player. Of course, in the video game world, being boring is the ultimate sin in picking cover athletes and that is why Duncan was never the face of 2K.
Credit for the idea: Slam Studios
