On Wednesday night, the Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas mega trade was completed after eight days following the initial report, with the Celtics adding an additional second round pick to the original deal because of Thomas’ wonky hip injury.
Back in June during the NBA Finals, the NBA 2K series announced that Irving would be the cover athlete for NBA 2K18. That’s a remarkable feat for any sports star to achieve, as it means you’re one of the best players in the entire world at your respective sport. Since then, a lot has transpired in Cleveland, with the Cavs losing to the Warriors in five games, and Irving demanding a trade out of Believeland. When 2K heard the news of Kyrie’s desire to be traded, they responded in an epic manner.
After the deal was done, the popular video game series wasted no time tweaking the game, and pictures have now emerged of the start menu with Kyrie in the Celtics green and white.
Irving then uploaded a video from the 2K that includes wide shot of the TD Garden before cutting to his digital self in his new Celtics colours, which looks strange considering we still haven’t formally seen Irving in a Celtics jersey yet in real life after spending six seasons in Cleveland since being selected first overall in the 2011 NBA draft.
If you buy the game upon the September 19 release date, the cover will have Irving donning Cavs colours, as the game has already been mass produced and is ready for distribution. However, Jason Argent, the senior vice president of basketball operations for 2K games, told GameInformer.com the following on whether there will be a secondary release for the cover.
“Fans should be thrilled to know that we will issues a version of 2K18 featuring Kyrie in a Boston Celtics uniform at a later date.”
Swapping uniforms for cover athletes is rare, but it’s happened before: When Brett Favre was traded by the Packers to the Jets in 2008 after he decided to forgo retirement, he was slated to be on the Madden 09 cover wearing his Green Bay gear. Favre returned to football four days prior to the release of the game, and EA Sports made a new cover template, giving fans the option to download and print the new cover and slide it under the plastic casing.
The Madden curse is much discussed in the football world, but could there now be a 2K trade curse? When LeBron James was named cover athlete for NBA 2K14, he left Miami for his return to Cleveland. The following year, Kevin Durant appeared on the front with the Thunder before making the jump to Golden State. Paul George left Indiana this offseason for OKC after gracing the cover of NBA 2K17. Irving is the latest to follow that peculiar trend.
Other athletes to appear on the cover since 2010 are Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, James Harden, Steph Curry and Anthony Davis. The Canadian version will feature DeMar DeRozan, while Shaq with be featured on the legends edition.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett will appear as commentators in the game. A new story-based franchise mode will also be featured, as well as all-time team rosters.
(h/t to SB Nation)
