The Case for Kobe Bryant as NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete (Legend Edition)

By
NBA 2KW Staff
-

There’s been a lot of buzz about who the NBA 2K24 Legend Edition cover athlete will be, which is expected to be announced during the NBA 2K24 Summer League. Could the NBA 2K24 Legend Edition Cover Athlete be the late Kobe Bryant? We go over the case for Kobe Bryant as the NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete, a “Kobe Challenge”, cover art concepts, and more!

Also See:

The Case for Kobe Bryant as NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete

  1. The number “24” worn by Kobe for much of his career is the obvious thing that comes to mind as to why NBA 2K24 should have Kobe as cover athlete. Just like NBA 2K23 honored Michael Jordan’s iconic “23”, the same could be done for Kobe’s number 24.
  2. Some may say Kobe on the cover again would be too soon, since he was already the Legend Edition Cover Athlete of NBA 2K21 (the first NBA 2K game to come out after his tragic death). But at the same time, is there such a thing as having “too much Kobe”? Bryant’s impact on basketball, the NBA, and the world was powerful, positive, and widespread, so continuing to remember him often through 2K is something to be welcomed.
  3. During the year and leading up to NBA 2K24, Kobe on the cover has been a top request by 2K fans. So based on that alone, 2K may grant the community’s wish and give the people what they want.

Kobe Cover Art Concepts

Check out some of the Kobe Bryant cover art concepts below, via posters on Reddit:

The Mamba Challenge

Similar to the “Jordan Challenge” in NBA 2K23, there could be a “Kobe Challenge” or “Mamba Challenge” in NBA 2K24 that would include all of his notable career moments that fans could relive in the game. 2K could even decide that they want to make the cover athlete legend challenges an annual feature in the game – and if so, Kobe’s decorated hall of fame career would be a great candidate for NBA 2K24:

Here are several suggestions for “Mamba Challenge” games:

JULY 13, 1996: KOBE SCORES 36 IN SUMMER LEAGUE DEBUT

17-year-old Kobe Bryant scores 36 points in an NBA Summer League game versus the Phoenix Suns to lead the Lakers to a 107-100 victory at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

FEBRUARY 8, 1997: KOBE WINS SLAM DUNK CONTEST

Kobe Bryant wins the 1997 Dunk Contest.

FEBRUARY 8, 1998: KOBE VS MJ AT ALL-STAR GAME

Kobe squares off against Michael Jordan during the 1998 All-Star Game.

JUNE 14, 2000: KOBE CARRIES IN 2000 NBA FINALS GAME 4 VS PACERS 

After teammate Shaquille O’Neal fouled out, Kobe put the team on his back to carry them to the win vs the Pacers in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals.

MAY 19, 2001: 45 POINTS VS TIM DUNCAN’S SPURS IN 2001 WCF

Kobe scores 45 against the formidable San Antonio Spurs in the 2001 Western Conference Finals.

JULY 18, 2002: KOBE TAKES OVER RUCKER PARK

Kobe Bryant puts on a show at the legendary Rucker Park in New York City.

 NOVEMBER 27, 2002: KOBE VS TMAC

Kobe scores 38 points in a back and forth duel between himself and Tracy McGrady.

JANUARY 7, 2003: RAININ’ THREES

Bryant scores 45 points and drains 12 three pointers versus the Seattle Supersonics.

DECEMBER 20, 2005: KOBE SCORES 62 POINTS IN 3 QUARTERS

Kobe outscores the entire Dallas Mavericks squad 62-61 at the end of three quarters.

JANUARY 22, 2006: 81 POINTS VS THE RAPTORS

Kobe scores 81 points to lead his Los Angeles Lakers over the Toronto Raptors.

AUGUST 24, 2008: KOBE LEADS TEAM USA ‘REDEEM TEAM’ TO GOLD VS SPAIN

Kobe powers Team USA’s defeat of Spain 107-100 to earn the gold medal in men’s basketball at the Olympics in Beijing.

FEBRUARY 2, 2009: 61 AT MSG

Kobe goes off for 61 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on 19-of-31 from the floor and a perfect 20-of-20 from the line.

MAY 29, 2010: CLUTCH KOBE IN GAME 6 OF WCF VS SUNS

Kobe puts up 37 points on the Suns in the 2010 WCF, including several plays in the clutch.

APRIL 13, 2016: MAMBA OUT – KOBE SCORES 60 IN LAST GAME OF HIS CAREER

Kobe scores 60 points vs the Utah Jazz in the last game of his career.

Conclusion

Having Kobe Bryant on the cover of NBA 2K24 would be a great way to honor his great legacy and his iconic number “24”. Check back here at NBA 2KW for all the latest NBA 2K24 news!