2K Sports Names Kevin Garnett Spokes Athlete for 2K9 (Go Celtics!)

Kevin Garnett, the recently announced cover boy of NBA 2K9, demands that you play his game. His famous ferocity is being brought to the campaign trail, and everyone better be prepared. Do you really want to disobey someone who gets as intense as this?

Considered by most analysts to be the best basketball game on the market, NBA 2K8 was a hit with the addition of the slam-dunk contest and improved signature animations. Still, even though 2K Sports was considered to be the better game, its main rival, EA’s NBA Live, was able to outsell it with a larger marketing budget. Additionally, it didn’t hurt that the cover person for NBA Live was Gilbert Arenas, who is a bit more of a showboat, and therefore better at getting attention than 2K8 cover boy, Chris Paul. This year, it looks like that will be reversed.


Even without 2K sports having announced any of the new features that are going to make this “the best basketball simulation game ever,” I have faith that just as Garnett is going to deliver Boston its first championship since 1986, so is he going to deliver to us a game that is going to astound us. Hopefully one of their changes include better fan interaction, as I want to be able to not only hear the Garden chant “MVP” for Garnett, but also watch as the fickle LA crowd leaves a game early in order to beat the traffic. Yeah, ok, I’m a Celtics fan.

Press release below:
“NBA 2K is where it’s AT! End of story,” said Garnett, who is currently playing in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. “It’s the game I play, the game my friends play, and the game anyone in the league serious about videogames plays. NBA 2K is the real deal, and until 2K Sports find a way to plant an elbow in your chest, it’s the closest thing to actually being there on the court. I can’t tell you how pumped I am to be on the cover of NBA 2K9 – it’s a real honor. Now watch out! Because this fall 2K Sports and I are going to deliver the best basketball video game out there, period.“

Garnett was drafted out of high school in 1995 from Farragut Academy (IL) and has redefined the forward position as one of the most talented and versatile players in NBA history. Known to fans by nicknames such as “The Kid”, “The Big Ticket”, or “KG”, Garnett is the only player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, ten rebounds, and five assists per game for six consecutive seasons. He has also been voted MVP (2003-04); named to 11 All-Star teams, nine All-NBA Teams and nine NBA All-Defensive Teams; and, this past season, named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

“Kevin Garnett is one of the most popular and skilled players in the NBA today, and he represents everything we love about basketball. He’s a charismatic leader who is truly passionate about the game, and plays his heart out every time he steps on the court,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “With KG’s ongoing support and invaluable input during the development process of NBA 2K9, dedicated 2K Sports fans will be treated to a host of exciting new gameplay features and upgrades this year for an even deeper and more realistic basketball experience than ever before.”

Developed by 2K Sports’ Visual Concepts studio, NBA 2K9 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, and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. For more information, please visit www.2ksports.com.”