While rumors and leaks hinted at it all week, Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker was announced as the next cover player for the critically acclaimed NBA 2K video game franchise. The news came just a day after Booker signed his super-max extension to stay in the desert as well.
Fittingly, the cover shows Booker wearing Phoenix threads with a desert-like backdrop including a few cactus trees and a setting Arizona sun. Book can also be seen wearing his “be legendary” purple Kobe 4s.
Be Legendary in #NBA2K23
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) July 7, 2022
Introducing our NBA 2K23 Cover Athlete @DevinBook
Pre-order now: https://t.co/qiAxVeTR4S pic.twitter.com/EOElD9mLHF
But even with Booker coming off arguably his best season yet and the cover’s slick design, it’s had a number of basketball fans up in arms.
The well-followed NBA Memes twitter account was hoping for a bit more flare while also putting down Booker as the cover athlete. Others also took a swing a Booker on the bird app after he tweeted out his approval about the cover, citing his recent playoff loss at the hands of Luka Doncic.
https://twitter.com/NBAMemes/status/1542659314464264192?s=20&t=ywSV33jWw6Ai-taPKPstaA
Another viral tweet surfaced comparing Booker’s cover to the infamous Peyton Hillis Madden 12 cover. Another user poked fun at Booker for his “no double teams” feud with Joakim Noah a few years ago.
Regardless, this remains a major compliment for Booker, and one well-deserved after a near-MVP winning regular season campaign. We know Book enjoys his video games, and gracing the 2K cover is the highest honor a hooper can earn in that department.
But all this heat coming Booker’s way for making the 2K23 cover should mean nothing, after all, it’s just a game. Aside from the friendly jokes and more so in the direction of those actually upset, there has to be better use of your time than getting mad about a video game cover.
And for whatever it’s worth, I loved Madden 12. The soundtrack absolutely slapped, and it was the last time my New York Giants were actually playable. This whole ordeal comes as a subtle win for Booker and the Suns to enjoy as the offseason rumbles forward.