Will Lebron's NBA 2K19 Cover Appearance Continue a Strange Trend?

Jeff Kotuby,

June 5, 2018 3:10 PM

Since LeBron's first appearance on an NBA 2K cover back in 2014, an odd trend has developed. Will his 2K19 cover appearance continue or break the "2K Curse?"

Cleveland Cavaliers megastar LeBron James was recently announced as the cover athlete for NBA 2K19. This will be James’ second appearance on the cover, as he last appeared on NBA 2K14’s cover as a member of the Miami Heat. That year, LeBron started a strange tradition amongst 2K cover stars that was pointed out by Twitter user @OladipoSZN: 

If you need some brushing up on your basketball history, we’ve got you covered. 

NBA 2K14

LeBron appeared on the cover as a member of the Miami Heat. He would then leave the Heat to return to Cleveland, where he spent the first eight years of his career before famously, “taking his talents to South Beach.”

NBA 2K15

Kevin Durant was selected as this year’s cover star, representing the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant was a member of the Thunder for almost a decade, taking them to the NBA Finals once and winning an Most Valuable Player award in 2014. Durant, to the shock of many NBA fans, left OKC in 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors, who lost to LeBron’s Cavs that season. Durant would go on to win an NBA Championship with Golden State the following year and was named Finals MVP that same year.

Kevin Durant, then of the Oklahoma City Thunder, on the cover of NBA 2K15

NBA 2K16

The only anomaly of the bunch, as it featured three separate superstars on the cover - Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans. As of June 5, 2018, all three of these players are still with their respective teams.

(from left to righ) James Harden, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Davis on the XBox One cover of NBA 2K16

NBA 2K17

Then-Indiana Pacers star Paul George was featured on the cover of 2K17. George, an avid gamer, was then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder the following year.

Paul George, representing Team USA and the Indiana Pacers on the PS4 cover of NBA 2K17

NBA 2K18

Probably the most interesting year of all was this past year, where Kyrie Irving graced the cover of 2K18. Irving was drafted by the Cavaliers while LeBron was in Miami. When LeBron returned, Kyrie yearned to have his own team, so he was traded to the Boston Celtics during the 2017 offseason. Irving was also recently announced as the cover star of 2K18, which meant 2K Sports needed to scramble and create a Celtics-themed cover for their star point guard.

Kyrie Irving as a Cleveland Cavalier (left) and a Boston Celtic (right) 

This NBA offseason will certainly be interesting, as James can affect whether he stays in Cleveland or leaves for greener pastures. He also holds the relevancy of the “2K Curse” in his hands, the one he started it all those years ago. 

If you enjoyed our look at the 2K19 cover, then you’ll love what we had to say about the Madden 19 cover too!



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