LeBron has two, Kobe has two, while MJ has 4. What am I talking about? My list of the top ten basketball magazine covers! Without any further ado:
#10/ Kobe Bryant/ SLAM/ September 2009
The Jaw, The Scowl, whatever you want to call it, Kobe's version of MJ's tongue went into full effect while trying his 5th ring. Almost there...
The Jaw, The Scowl, whatever you want to call it, Kobe's version of MJ's tongue went into full effect while trying his 5th ring. Almost there...
#9/ Kevin Garnett/ Sports Illustrated/ June 26, 1995
It might not have had the same effect on KG, as it did on LeBron (keep reading), but the tagline, along with The Kid himself, made it a classic cover.
It might not have had the same effect on KG, as it did on LeBron (keep reading), but the tagline, along with The Kid himself, made it a classic cover.
#8/ Kobe Bryant & Kobe Bryant/ SLAM/ April 2009
I figured the meeting at Slam went like this: "We can't put Kobe on another cover, we've done hundreds!"
"No, but we haven't had two Kobe's!" Anyway, the thing that get's me is the two colorways of the brand new Zoom Kobe IV. Such a sick cover.
I figured the meeting at Slam went like this: "We can't put Kobe on another cover, we've done hundreds!"
"No, but we haven't had two Kobe's!" Anyway, the thing that get's me is the two colorways of the brand new Zoom Kobe IV. Such a sick cover.
#7/ Michael Jordan (#45)/ Sports Illustrated/ March 27, 1995
All it took was two words: "I'm Back", and instantly you knew who it was. Jordan, after pursuing his baseball career, was coming back, even if it wasn't with his signature 23.
Not too many in-game pictures look too good on a cover, but the image on this looks like it was made for a magazine cover.
All it took was two words: "I'm Back", and instantly you knew who it was. Jordan, after pursuing his baseball career, was coming back, even if it wasn't with his signature 23.
Not too many in-game pictures look too good on a cover, but the image on this looks like it was made for a magazine cover.
#6/ Michael Jordan & Sam Perkins/ Sports Illustrated/ November 28, 1983
It might be the Carolina Blue that does it for me, or maybe fresh-faced Michael Jordan looking ready to take on the college basketball ranks with Sam Perkins in his first SI cover. Little did we know that it was the world he was after.
It might be the Carolina Blue that does it for me, or maybe fresh-faced Michael Jordan looking ready to take on the college basketball ranks with Sam Perkins in his first SI cover. Little did we know that it was the world he was after.
#5/ LeBron James/ SLAM/ April 2007
Let's face it, the NBA logo is a tad boring. No offense, Jerry West, but why don't we spice it up? And let's put the player that is tearing up the league, yet is not too far removed from high school? BAM! Cover! I think Slam's best work (and that's saying something) right here.
Let's face it, the NBA logo is a tad boring. No offense, Jerry West, but why don't we spice it up? And let's put the player that is tearing up the league, yet is not too far removed from high school? BAM! Cover! I think Slam's best work (and that's saying something) right here.
#4/ Larry Bird/ Sports Illustrated/ November 28, 1977
Exactly 6 years before his Airness graced the cover of SI with the Tar Heels, Larry Bird was rockin the Indiana State uni, and chillin with some old school cheerleaders. It may seem dated, but it's a classic. When was the last time you could call Larry Bird a secret weapon?
Exactly 6 years before his Airness graced the cover of SI with the Tar Heels, Larry Bird was rockin the Indiana State uni, and chillin with some old school cheerleaders. It may seem dated, but it's a classic. When was the last time you could call Larry Bird a secret weapon?
#3/ USA Dream Team/ Sports Illustrated/ February 18, 1991
It said it right up top, "Dream Team" at that's what it was. Barkley, Ewing, Malone, Johnson, and Jordan. Thankfully, Christian Laettner was nowhere to be seen. All in a, a simple, yet effective patriotic cover for the gold medal winners.
It said it right up top, "Dream Team" at that's what it was. Barkley, Ewing, Malone, Johnson, and Jordan. Thankfully, Christian Laettner was nowhere to be seen. All in a, a simple, yet effective patriotic cover for the gold medal winners.
#2/ LeBron James/ Sports Illustrated/ February 18, 2002
LeBron James was famous, at least to people who watched high school basketball on a regular basis. The SI cover, given to James as a Junior in high school, brought him fame among the masses. Soon Jay-Z and Shaq were at his games, all because of SI's shinning of the cover spotlight. It was the first, but definitely not the last.
LeBron James was famous, at least to people who watched high school basketball on a regular basis. The SI cover, given to James as a Junior in high school, brought him fame among the masses. Soon Jay-Z and Shaq were at his games, all because of SI's shinning of the cover spotlight. It was the first, but definitely not the last.
#1 /Michael Jordan /ESPN the Magazine /June 28, 1998
It was Jordan's final goodbye (forget the Wizard days), and ESPN the Magazine (still new at the time) depicted just Jordan. It's so simple, just MJ and his shadow, but it is one of the most memorable covers ever. If only the second comeback didn't happen...
It was Jordan's final goodbye (forget the Wizard days), and ESPN the Magazine (still new at the time) depicted just Jordan. It's so simple, just MJ and his shadow, but it is one of the most memorable covers ever. If only the second comeback didn't happen...
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