• by Aaron Baar , July 21, 2011

For the latest iteration of its basketball game franchise, NBA2K12, 2K Sports will feature three retired greats on separate covers: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. In last year's version, NBA2K11, Jordan was a playable character in the game and featured on the cover.

"Bringing Michael Jordan to the virtual hardwood last year was a huge success for NBA 2K11; however, we didn't want to stop there," said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports, in a release. "We're bringing 'His Airness' back to the NBA 2K franchise as part of a multi-year extended partnership, along with two other legendary icons – Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – for a special cover athlete collection representing the NBA's greatest heroes."

Each cover will showcase the athlete playing for the team he's best known for (Jordan/Chicago Bulls, Johnson/LA Lakers, Bird/Boston Celtics). The Bird and Johnson covers will be available at the game's launch and will only be available in limited quantities.