2K Games explains why Paul George is the cover star of NBA 2K17

2K Sports on the Cover Choice

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George was announced as the cover athlete for the standard edition of NBA 2K17. In a statement, Alfie Brody, then vice president of marketing for NBA 2K, explained the publisher’s reasoning behind the selection. Brody emphasized the franchise’s goal to connect with its most dedicated players.

“Each year the NBA 2K franchise continues to grow, but our focus has always been about creating an experience that resonates with our most passionate fans,” Brody said. “Paul is a natural fit for the cover and a true embodiment of what we represent and bring to the table for gamers and basketball fans alike.”

The choice of George was seen as a reflection of 2K’s commitment to basketball authenticity. As a versatile, two-way player known for elite performance on both offense and defense, his on-court identity aligned with the simulation-heavy focus of the NBA 2K series. The selection highlighted a player respected by those who follow the sport closely, rather than one known solely for scoring highlights.

A Comeback Story for the Cover

The timing of the announcement was significant, coming after Paul George completed a triumphant comeback season. In August 2014, he suffered a severe compound fracture in his right leg during a Team USA basketball scrimmage. The injury was a major setback that caused him to miss almost the entire 2014-15 NBA season, and many observers questioned whether he could ever return to his All-Star form.

His performance in the 2015-16 season answered those questions decisively. George played in 81 games for the Indiana Pacers, averaging career highs at the time in points (23.1), assists (4.1), and steals (1.9) per game. He was named an NBA All-Star for the third time and earned spots on both the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

This resurgence culminated in the 2016 NBA Playoffs. George delivered a stellar performance, averaging 27.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while pushing the second-seeded Toronto Raptors to a full seven games in the first round. His ability to overcome a devastating injury and re-establish himself as one of the league’s premier players provided a compelling narrative of resilience that made him a popular and inspiring choice for the NBA 2K17 cover.

NBA 2K17 Editions and Release Information

NBA 2K17 was scheduled for a release date of September 20, 2016, for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. A special preorder incentive was offered, allowing customers who reserved a copy to receive the game four days ahead of the official launch. This “Early Tip-Off Weekend” gave early access starting on September 16.

While Paul George graced the cover of the standard edition, 2K Sports also released a special version of the game to honor a retiring icon. The NBA 2K17 Legend Edition featured Kobe Bryant on its cover, celebrating his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, which concluded after the 2015-16 season.

This premium edition included a variety of physical and digital bonuses themed around Bryant. Physical items included a limited-edition poster, two Panini trading cards, and a Black Mamba controller skin. Digital content consisted of 30,000 in Virtual Currency (VC), MyTEAM bundles, and Kobe-themed apparel for the player’s custom MyPLAYER character. An even more premium Legend Edition Gold was also available, which offered more VC and other digital items. This dual-cover strategy allowed the franchise to celebrate one of the league’s all-time greats while also spotlighting a current star in his prime.