The NBA Awards offered quite the exciting night this past Monday. League legend Bill Russell gave Charles Barkley the finger, Dwane Casey won Coach of the Year for leading the Raptors, despite being let go after the regular season, and 76ers Small Forward Ben Simmons won Rookie of the Year. Simmons’ win isn’t the only success story making the rounds for the Philadelphia team, though. Joel Embiid, the team’s Center, has garnered a different kind of prize. He’ll be the cover athlete for NBA Live 19.
During the award show, NBA Live’s official Twitter account unveiled the cover image featuring Embiid.
Introducing the new face of NBA LIVE, @JoelEmbiid in The ONE Edition.
Available September 7th #NBALIVE19 pic.twitter.com/Z2TGZDDLBl
— EA SPORTS NBA LIVE (@EASPORTSNBA) June 26, 2018
The young 76er’s incredible success during the 2017-2018 regular season no doubt factors into this decision. Averaging 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, Embiid was critical to postseason triumphs in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This NBA Live news is worthy of commendation, too. It makes him the first Philadelphia 76er to grace the front cover of an NBA Live title. Nope, not even Allen Iverson ever held such an honor; however, Iverson did act as cover athlete for NBA 2K.
NBA Live 19 launches on September 7. EA will offer players a chance to dive into a portion of the new entry early, though. A demo goes live on August 24.
