Check out this video of him commentating on an NBA 2k12-simulated matchup of last week's NBA All Star Game.

"You would'a thought that they'd get it in every time, but that's why basketball's so exciting, apparently," he notes.

Yes, Anthony. Yes it is.

NBA All Star Game 2012 | Game Highlights | NBA Playthrough [YouTube, via Grantland]

2K Sports pulls a Jordan on March 6, combining its stellar basketball game with its so-so baseball franchise in the Xbox 360 exclusive $69.99 MLB 2K12/NBA 2K12 Combo Pack.

At first blush it doesn't seem to stand out: NBA 2K11 cracked the top 20 of most played titles on the Xbox 360 for the week of Jan. 16. But when you peel it back, that's actually quite astonishing, to see an old version of a sports video game resurface more than 15 months after its release.

This is not unprecedented. EA Sports' FIFA series routinely places its two most current editions in the Xbox Live top 20, especially around the time the new version is releasing. (FIFA 11 and FIFA 12 were top 20 from 12's Sept. 27 release to the end of the year.) FIFA's global popularity certainly explains its longevity here. Madden, EA Sports' long-running powerhouse, also does a double-dip in its release window, though it drops off more quickly.

But a look back suggests that when the old version leaves the top 20, it usually doesn't come back. Certainly not after a three-month layoff.

What's going on? I put this to some folks inside 2K Sports, who were just as surprised (albeit pleasantly) as I was. It doesn't track to the tip off of the new NBA season—that was Dec. 25. While 2K Sports announced it would extend online support for NBA 2K11, in light of problems with NBA 2K12's multiplayer features, that happened back in November, a month after release. And it's especially irrelevant as this figure concerns the unique users playing the game who are connected to Xbox Live, which has nothing to do with playing online multiplayer or connecting to the 2K servers.

It could be that NBA 2K11, whose "Jordan Challenge" series celebrates the career highlights of the NBA's greatest player, really is heirloom quality, as I called it in my review at the time. The Jordan Challenge is exclusive to NBA 2K11, not 2K12, and no doubt drives back catalog sales of that game—an absolute rarity in modern console sports gaming. I've suggested that 2K Sports, if it can, should cut this out and offer it for DLC, playable in the current game. But these numbers would put off that kind of action, probably until sometime next year.

It seems a little too easy to explain it that way. A sale, maybe? NBA 2K11 has a lower price tag by definition. The cover is similar to the Jordan cover (one of three) of NBA 2K12, too. The numbering may be confusing to those who don't normally buy the game, but wouldn't we have seen that influence before?

Who knows. NBA 2K11 was an unbelievable phenomenon for a sports title of predominantly North American interest. It was an NPD Top 20 seller, across all platforms, for all 12 months post-release. Maybe its staying power is just now becoming known.

Rich Funk is a glorious name. Rich Funk is not only a Kotaku (hi Rich Funk!), Rich Funk is also a NBA 2K12 owner.

According to Rich Funk, "My legal name is Richard Funk. As I usually do with sports games, the day I got NBA 2K12, I created myself as a player in the game. Again, I used my legal name."

Above is how NBA 2K12 apparently reacted to "Rich Funk". It did not like Rich Funk.

"I've emailed 2K Sports about this, but haven't heard anything back. Have you heard of anyone else getting punished like this? It's not my fault I'm German!"

It's also not Rich Funk's fault he has a super cool name.

Today's launch day for 2K Sports' premium DLC add-on for their pro hoops title. As previously mentioned, Legends Showcase lets you play in a cel-shaded Times Square with 40 new Legends hoopsters in a variety of modes. Also on display is how you're My Player looks when imported into the Legends modes. You know all of that already. But the real reason to watch this video is to enjoy the way that the on-screen action syncs up with the lyrics of "Basketball" by rap legend Kurtis Blow. If you've got some gray hairs in your goatee like me, then you'll totally remember when this song was on the radio. And when shorts looked like they hurt.

We've already talked about how 2K Sports' hit basketball title will be unloading a major update when its Legends Showcase DLC debuts next week. Today, the publisher's divulged more details about what'll be in the $10 add-on.

Total dominance in the 2v2 Teammate Challenge, unlocks all of the players in the NBA's Greatest mode for use in the NBA: Creating a Legend mode. So, if you've wanted to bring someone like Boston Celtics great Bill Russell into competition against today's NBA athletes in NBA 2K12, that's how you'll do that. Similarly, when you beat the 3v3 Era Challenge, you can use current players in the Legends Showcase modes.

Speaking of those legends, a few more show up in these screens, like Pistol Pete Maravich, George Mikan and Rick Barry. You'll also see just how crazy the HORSE match-ups get, too, with George "The Iceman" Gervin taking aim from the support beam behind the basket.

As a total blackout of the 2011/2012 NBA looms, it's looking more and more like the only way to see Kobe, Dwight Howard and other modern-day greats play hoops will be on your gaming console of choice.

NBA 2K12 Developer Insight #14 - Legends Showcase DLC [Facebook]

Announced earlier today, NBA 2K12's Legends Showcase will drop 45 new stories players into 2K Sports' hit b-ball title. You can take a look at how the new graphical style looks in the trailer and screens posted above. Legends Showcase will also include several new modes and mini-games like H-O-R-S-E and 21. You'll also be able to play match types like 2-on-2 Teammate Challenge and 3-on-3 Era Challenge, highlighting specific tandems. 2K Sports also says you'll be able to mix and match current players and old-school Legends and you'll be able to use your My Player created athlete in these modes as well. Finally, the Legends Showcase will introduce up Classic Quick Match, a new mode that lets you use the NBA's Greatest teams in regular simulation face-offs in the main game's online portion. When it, y'know, starts working.

Listen, I've been a New York Knick fan all my long-suffering life, but I never thought onetime dunk champ Kenny "Sky" Walker would ever be deemed a video game legend. But there he is, sitting on the new list of incoming all-stars that 2K Sports will be adding to their hit basketball game. For 9.99 or 800 Microsoft points, NBA 2K12 will be offering up more than 40 players from the last 50 years of hoops history in the Legends Showcase DLC, and the athletes will be wearing period-accurate uniforms and sporting ratings that reflect their best on-court performances. Legends showcase also adds a tweak to the game's aesthetic, rendering the Times Square locale in a cel-shaded art style.

The full list of Legends is below. You might not see your favorite player, but it's a good representation of classic ballers. Me, I'm waiting for Anthony Mason.

Complete List of New Legends

George Mikan (1951 Lakers)
Bob Cousy (1957 Celtics)
Bob Pettit (1959 Hawks)
Nate Thurmond (1967 Warriors)
Lenny Wilkens (1968 Hawks)
Dave Bing (1968 Pistons)
Wes Unseld (1969 Bullets)
Connie Hawkins (1970 Suns)
Dave Cowens (1973 Celtics)
Tiny Archibald (1973 Kings)
Spencer Haywood (1973 Sonics)
Bob McAdoo (1975 Braves)
Elvin Hayes (1975 Bullets)
Rick Barry (1975 Warriors)
Bob Lanier (1977 Pistons)
David Thompson (1978 Nuggets)
Jamaal Wilkes (1981 Lakers)
Jack Sikma (1982 Sonics)
Alex English (1983 Nuggets)
Adrian Dantley (1984 Jazz)
Bernard King (1984 Knicks)
Rolando Blackman (1984 Mavericks)
Kiki Vandeweghe (1984 Nuggets)
Mark Eaton (1985 Jazz)
Sleepy Floyd (1987 Warriors)
Fat Lever (1988 Nuggets)
Mark Jackson (1989 Knicks)
Kenny Walker (1989 Knicks)
Dale Ellis (1989 Sonics)
Artis Gilmore (1978 Bulls)
Derek Harper (1990 Mavericks)
Tom Chambers (1990 Suns)
Kevin Johnson (1990 Suns)
Reggie Lewis (1993 Celtics)
Dan Majerle (1993 Suns)
Kenny Anderson (1994 Nets)
Cedric Ceballos (1994 Suns)
Dee Brown (1995 Celtics)
Gheorge Muresan (1996 Bullets)
Glen Rice (1997 Hornets)
Shawn Bradley (1997 Mavericks)
Steve Smith (1998 Hawks)
Jalen Rose (2001 Pacers)
Jamal Mashburn (2003 Hornets)

More than 150 all-time NBA greats in a variety of new game modes set in New York City are coming to NBA 2K12, 2K Sports has announced today.

There is no release date yet, but the content will be available for download on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, costing you 800 MS Points and $9.99, respectively.

The content will feature a new, cell-shaded art style and will take place in New York City's Times Square.

Some of the big names mentioned by 2K Sports are the ones you might expect: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Dr. J.

You'll be able to play pick-up games, from 1-on-1 to 5-on-5, as well as games that stray from the usual basketball experience, such as H-O-R-S-E.

If you want to use that NBA My Player I know you've been working on making into the next Jordan, you can pit him against the legends as well!

2K also states that you can unlock current players to use with or against the legends in the mode, so you can mix and match your favorite past and present stars.

Keep your eyes peeled for the official release date of this downloadable content, it sounds pretty interesting!