Marvel made some gorgeous NBA art

by David A. Arnott on Oct 22, 2010 10:22 AM EDT

I'm not going to post the actual images here. (Yay, copyright!) However, the ESPN/Marvel NBA collaboration is worth seeking out, if you know where to look.

Hint: look at this message board thread.

After the jump, a brief analysis of the best artwork in the collection.

Michael Jordan as Nick Fury

This is a reference to the Ultimate Nick Fury series, in which the character, an ex-badass now relegated to a support role, "[forms] a team to battle posthuman threats and and [resurrects] the Super-Soldier program." While we have a decent idea of the Bobcats players' public personae, I think the image captures the national attitude about the Cats: It's Jordan's project, with nondescript players, three of whom we might one day be bothered to learn about.

Blake Griffin as The Incredible Hulk

I see incomparable raw power. I also see pain. Does that sum up Blake Griffin as a Clipper, or what?

Yao Ming as proto-Wolverine

If you've explored Yao's biography, this image is perfect. The story of where Yao Ming came from is myth, truth, myth, truth, and myth, with a dash of uncomfortable questions about eugenics that borders on rudeness. Whatever you think about the Chinese government's role in his birth and development as a basketball star, it's pretty clear some people had a clear idea of what they were trying to do.

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Yeah, that's what I was talking about in the "waived" thread.

I think the Clippers have the best one in the league.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Oct 22, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

by weezy21 on Oct 22, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

These are phenomenal

Aside from the more cartoonish ones, these are great. The Cavs one is almost depressing and most everyone should recognize it from Spiderman 2 (even if it was in the comics a long time ago). The Kobe one is great too. Just a great job by the artists all around. I like how gritty the MJ illustration is. Really fits the identity of this team as a hard working, nitty gritty defensive team. I agree that it really does encapsulate what’s going on here. I wish the players were a little more discernable, but it does fit the national image of the team.

by drapht00 on Oct 22, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Lol, I can't even tell who those guys are.

The three generic Bobcats.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Oct 22, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

That's probably the point, sadly

There should at least be a silhouette of pred-locks.

by drapht00 on Oct 22, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually think they

are Jahidi White, Tamar Slay, and Jeff McInnis.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Oct 22, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Could've sworn I saw Brevin Knight

Meet the new quarterback. Same as the old quarterback. Go get 'em, Matty Twice!

by Newsinz on Oct 22, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I was thinking one of them was me...

maybe not

Wait for it™

by andrewlail76 on Oct 22, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

i loved all of them

here are my favs and why:
Houston: same reasons listed above
Charlotte: i love the tone in the art. part creepy, part dark.
Orlando: when you have Dwight Howard on defense, it’s like having Wolverine on defense
Cleveland: this just my be my absolute favorite. everything is perfect with this one
Portland: great parallel to the injuries

--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)

by StudMuffin15 on Oct 22, 2010 6:16 PM EDT reply actions