Michael Jordan and his tongue grace cover of NBA 2K11

2K Sports has revealed the cover athlete for its upcoming NBA 2K11, and it’s… Michael Jordan. And he’s trying to lick my face or something. Seriously, what’s going on here? Is this a thing Jordan is known for, playing basketball with his tongue hanging out of his mouth like a dehydrated puppy?

I’m not sure, I’m not the sports guy around here. But even though that’s the case, I damned well know who Jordan is, which makes him a killer catch for 2K Sports as a cover athlete. So props to them for scoring it, but let me run this by you:

“This could possibly be the most highly anticipated cover art in the history of sports games,” says Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports.

Is that a thing, “highly anticipated cover art”? Aren’t we looking forward to the game, and just kind of nodding in approval of the cool art here? True, 2K will probably sell a few games just by plastering Jordan’s wagging tongue on the cover. But Jordan himself probably won’t be playing the game. In fact, it doesn’t even sound like he’s much of a gamer, preferring to get sweaty on the court.

“It’s exciting to see it all come together. I am looking forward to seeing the final product,” he says, using ‘final product’ to mean ‘fat endorsement check,’ “but my kids might have to give me some lessons.”

When you’re a living sports legend, considered to be one of the greatest of all time, I wouldn’t worry too much about being able to play basketball video games, Jordan. I think you’re doing just fine. NBA 2K11 is out October 5.