Anthony Davis is a monster on the court. We know this. But his relationship with the NBA 2K franchise is actually way more interesting than just a tall guy on a box. Most fans remember him being the face of the game, but the timeline and the "how" usually get fuzzy after a few years of roster updates.
He didn't just show up once.
Basically, Davis belongs to an elite club of multi-time cover stars. It’s a short list. We're talking Kobe, MJ, and KD territory. If you’re looking at the Anthony Davis 2K cover history, you’re looking at two very different eras of his career—and one of the most awkward jersey transitions in gaming history.
The 2K16 Triple Threat
Back in 2015, 2K Sports decided to get experimental. Instead of one guy, they picked three: Stephen Curry, James Harden, and a young, New Orleans-based Anthony Davis.
This was the Spike Lee year. Remember "Livin' Da Dream"?
Davis was the "rising star" archetype. He’d just dragged the Pelicans to the playoffs and was lead-blocking the entire league. At the time, he was 22. It felt like he was the next chosen one. On that cover, he’s wearing the Pelicans' blue and gold, screaming, mid-flex. It’s aggressive. It’s pure AD.
What’s wild is that 2K actually printed three different covers. You could walk into a store and specifically hunt for the AD version, or you’d get a foldable insert that let you swap him in. It was a weird, cool moment for physical media that we just don't see anymore.
NBA 2K20: The Solo Flight and the Jersey Drama
The Anthony Davis 2K cover for 2K20 is the one everyone actually remembers. This was his "arrival." But it was also a logistical nightmare for the marketing team at 2K.
Why? Because AD was forcing his way out of New Orleans.
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The game was announced right as the trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was becoming a reality. If you look at the official 2K20 Standard Edition cover, AD is wearing a generic black shirt. No Lakers jersey. No Pelicans jersey. Just him holding a ball with his arms crossed.
Honestly, it was a smart move. They couldn't put him in a New Orleans jersey because fans would've rioted, and the Lakers trade wasn't "official" official in time for the photoshoot.
- Standard Edition: Anthony Davis (Solo)
- Digital Deluxe: Anthony Davis (Solo)
- Legend Edition: Dwyane Wade (The Miami Vice aesthetic)
Davis has admitted in interviews that being the solo cover guy for 2K20 meant more than the shared 2K16 spot. "Being the face of NBA 2K20 means the world to me," he said during the reveal. By that point, he wasn't just a "rising star" anymore. He was a 94-overall powerhouse who was about to win a ring in the Bubble.
Why the 2K20 Cover Still Matters
You've got to understand the timing. 2K20 was the last "normal" game before the world went sideways in 2020. It also introduced the WNBA to the franchise, which was huge.
While AD was the face of the standard game, he was also the face of a transition in the NBA. The league was moving from the Golden State dominance into this new "super-duo" era with him and LeBron.
People often forget that AD actually plays the game. A lot. He’s not just a paid spokesperson who doesn't know the buttons. He’s been vocal about his ratings, his badges, and how he uses the game to scout how players might fit together on the floor. When you see a guy on the cover who actually grinds MyTeam, it adds a layer of authenticity that’s hard to fake.
The "Curse" and the Legacy
Is there a 2K cover curse? Some people say yes.
AD’s years after the 2K20 cover were... bumpy. Injuries. More injuries. A lot of "Street Clothes" memes. But he also won a championship that same year. So, if the "curse" gives you an NBA title, I think most players would take that deal in a heartbeat.
Looking back, Davis on the cover represents the peak of the "Unicorn" era. He was the big man who could do everything. He could shoot, he could handle, and he could guard all five positions. 2K20 captured him at the exact moment he became a Laker legend.
Quick Facts: AD’s 2K Resume
- Cover Appearances: 2 (NBA 2K16 and NBA 2K20)
- Highest Initial Rating: 94 OVR (2K20)
- Co-stars (2K16): James Harden, Stephen Curry
- Fun Fact: He was the first player to be a cover athlete for two different franchises (Pelicans/Lakers) within a 4-year span.
If you’re a collector, the 2K20 physical copy is a weirdly significant piece of Lakers history. It marks the start of the AD/LeBron era. Even if he’s wearing a plain shirt on the box, the disc inside changed the trajectory of the franchise.
The next time you’re scrolling through your digital library or looking at old game cases, take a second to look at that 2K20 art. It’s more than just a marketing asset. It’s a snapshot of the NBA’s most dramatic trade summer and the rise of one of the most dominant—if fragile—big men to ever play the game.
To get the most out of Anthony Davis in the current 2K games, you should focus on his "Paint Patroller" and "Anchor" badges. He’s still one of the best defensive anchors in the game, even years after his own cover glory. If you're building a MyTeam squad, always look for the "Series 1" or "Glitch" versions of AD that emulate that 2K20 dominance.