Two years ago, 2K Sports did the unthinkable with the release NBA 2K11; they got Michael Jordan on the cover and included him throughout the game with multiple features and game modes. One year later, 2K Sports lined up Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan to grace three separate covers for the game’s 2012 incarnation. With the infamous lockout looming before the game’s initial release, 2K Sports decided to feature a number of the sport’s greatest players, like Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, in last year’s game. This year, the cover will feature three of this generation’s most gifted, praised and talked-about players: Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, and Derrick Rose, according to ESPN. Durant, who plays for the 2012 Western Conference Champion Oklahoma City Thunder, said in a statement, “Being crowned as one of the NBA 2K13 cover athletes is a huge honor and something I always dreamt about. It’s definitely humbling to grace the cover after the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.” “It’s a dream come true to be one of the cover athletes for NBA 2K13,” said former league MVP Rose. “I’ve worked closely with 2K Sports since NBA 2K10, and I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of Michael Jordan as the latest Chicago Bull to be featured on the cover.” Heralded as one of this decade’s greatest dunkers, Los Angeles Clipper Blake Griffin said of this year’s cover, “There’s so much young talent around the NBA, so it’s very exciting to be chosen for NBA 2K’s ‘New Dynasty’ alongside Kevin and Derrick. The NBA 2K series has always been my first choice when I want to get a game in.” In year’s past, each player featured on the cover has been honored with the Rookie of the Year award among other accolades . NBA 2K13 is set to be released on October 2.