Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

History of OKC Thunder players on video game covers

By Wil Harrington

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder play video games during the All Star Media Availability as part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 12, 2009 at the Sheraton Downtown hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images).
PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder play video games during the All Star Media Availability as part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 12, 2009 at the Sheraton Downtown hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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With the reveal of NBA 2K19’s cover star, we look back at the instances in which OKC Thunder players had the honor of gracing game covers.

Unfortunately there will not be an OKC Thunder player on the cover of the next installment of the NBA 2K video game series. It is an unusual, but likely humbling honor. Only a few players a year can claim this fame.

The upcoming installment, NBA 2K19 will feature superstar, LeBron James. The new cover is unique, with a close-up profile of James. It also includes words and phrases surrounding his brand and messages he writes on his kicks.

This cool new cover made Thunderous Intentions decide to look back at the times OKC Thunder players made appearances on video game covers.

Starting from the beginning

For a franchise that has not been around too long, there have been several cover athletes. Carmelo Anthony made the front of (a personal favorite) NBA Live 05. He was however a member of the Denver Nuggets at the time.

Kevin Durant was the first OKC Thunder player to be featured. He appeared on NBA Elite 2011 – an iOS spin-off of NBA Live. Durant would go on to join Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose on the cover of NBA 2K13. He had the cover of NBA 2K15 all to himself for the Thunder before jumping ship.

Russell Westbrook finally made his appearance on NBA Live 16. Former OKC Thunder player James Harden appeared on the last NBA Live Mobile game, a NBA 2K16 cover variant, and NBA Live 18.

For the Indiana Pacers, Paul George appeared on the cover of NBA 2K17.

Let’s hope that current OKC Thunder players continue to give reasons to game developers to take notice.

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