NBA Jam rosters announced! Now updated with Western Conference

(DA -- From the FanPosts)

The Bobcats roster is: Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson, and Tyrus Thomas.

ESPN's take: As stated in the March piece, Charlotte's signature duo of Wallace and Captain Jack picks itself. The mascot, meanwhile, is included because the Bobcats, after just six seasons of existence, don't have anyone who qualifies as a "legend" in EA terms. As for our previously stated hope of unlocking a secretly stashed Michael Jordan as a Bobs player … impossible now that MJ is contractually tied to another game.

My reaction: I love it. I don't care if we don't have true ball-handler on there because Jam is all about dunks and blocks.

Rufus is also included as a mascot. (DA -- Which means that now, as pointed out by the Official Former Roommate, you can literally play with Rufus on fire.)

The rosters are after the jump, but first, a few notes.

• Some teams were given 4 players rather than the normal 3 because fan voting was too close.
• Marc Stein previously and incorrectly listed Larry Johnson as a Knick legend. He is not. Instead, he is a Hornets legend.
• There are still a number of unnamed players that can be unlocked.
• One reason that you may not see a certain legend is that they must still be a member of the NBAPA.
• My personal reactions are in italics in parentheses.
• All of the following is from Marc Stein, ESPN somethingsomething

In bold are the players I'm really, really, REALLY excited about.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlanta Hawks

Players: Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Mike Bibby

Legends: Dominique Wilkins and Spud Webb

I voted for Jamal Crawford over Mike Bibby in my March exercise, but it's hard to quibble too much when the Hawks have such a tasty lineup. Smith was born to be in this game, and the presence of Nique and Spud as legends gives Atlanta three irresistibly explosive options for a game of two-on-two.

Boston Celtics

Players: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen

Legends: Larry Bird and Kevin McHale

You think Doc Rivers has problems in real life with all the big names (and egos) the Celtics have stockpiled? Try choosing only two Celts at a time from this six-pack. Boston's roster is one of the nine that include four current players instead of three because fan voting was so tight. Combine that with the fact that Bird was never in the arcade versions of Jam, and you can understand why the game's designers didn't try to wedge Shaquille O'Neal on this roster, too. (Although we have to believe that Shaq, in a nod to his l-o-n-g history with Jam, is among the hidden characters who can be unlocked.)

Charlotte Bobcats

Players: Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas

Mascot: Rufus Lynx

As stated in the March piece, Charlotte's signature duo of Wallace and Captain Jack picks itself. The mascot, meanwhile, is included because the Bobcats, after just six seasons of existence, don't have anyone who qualifies as a "legend" in EA terms. As for our previously stated hope of unlocking a secretly stashedMichael Jordan as a Bobs player … impossible now that MJ is contractually tied to another game.

Chicago Bulls

Players: Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer

Legends: Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman

Jordan's status as the face of "NBA 2K11" means he can't appear as a Bulls legend, either, which is going to crush some gamers no matter what the consolation choices are. But I would think the six Bulls you can choose, with Pippen and Rodman included, should soften the blow at least a little. Right?

Cleveland Cavaliers

Players: Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao

Legends: Mark Price and Brad Daugherty

Our advice to Cavs fans still reeling from The Decision: Sticking to the combo of Price and Daugherty -- Cleveland's original twosome in the first arcade version of Jam in 1993 -- just might beam you back to a happier time B.L. (Before LeBron). It's worth a try to escape, at least electronically, from the LeBron-less present.

(Hard to imagine anyone playing with the current-day Cavs)

Detroit Pistons

Players: Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon

Legends: Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer

The same principle used with the Cavs applies here: Detroit's legend duo of Zeke and Laimbeer, same as the original arcade twosome in 1993, will undoubtedly appeal to Pistons fans more than the current crew … although I'm somewhat stunned that there are four current Pistons instead of three and that Ben Wallace isn't one of them.

Indiana Pacers

Players: Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy and T.J. Ford

Legend: Detlef Schrempf

The tough times continue for Pacer People. Contractual obstacles prevent EA from making the obvious selection of Reggie Miller as Indy's legend -- apparently because Reg isn't an active member of the NBA players' association -- so that spot went to his co-star in the original arcade setup: Schrempf. Far harder to explain is why Ford snagged the third spot among current Pacers instead of the imposing Roy Hibbert.

Miami Heat

Players: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh

Legends: Glen Rice and Rony Seikaly

Back in March, when EA invited fans to vote for the three-man squads they wanted to see in Jam, these were the other Heaters on the ballot besides Wade: Michael Beasley, Jermaine O'Neal, Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers andQuentin Richardson. Don't think South Floridians will mind, in other words, that the game's designers took the liberty of choosing LeBron and Bosh for them. (P.S. Rice and Seikaly repped Miami in the first arcade version in '93, which I'm told is indeed the main reason they were selected over, say, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway in the legends spots. Nostalgia.)

Milwaukee Bucks

Players: Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, Brandon Jennings and Corey Maggette

Mascot: Bango The Buck

I repeat: Two lefties (Redd and Jennings) with irresistibly quick releases to pair with our soccer-loving pal Bogut will almost certainly make this one of my go-to teams. But, yes, I naturally do share your disappointment that contractual complications appear to have prevented us from getting even one Bucks alumnus to fill the legend void. (I would even have settled for EA bringing back the original/immortal duo ofBrad Lohaus and Blue Edwards from the arcade version.)

New Jersey Nets

Players: Devin Harris, Brook Lopez and Courtney Lee

Legends: Kenny Anderson and Drazen Petrovic

The bad news? EA's full Wii version of the new Jam had to be wrapped up before Lee was dealt to Houston as part of the four-team deal in August that landed Darren Collison in Indiana. So subbing him out for a current Net will be possible only in EA's "NBA Elite 11" simulation title for the PlayStation 3 and XBox 360 that will include three modes of "NBA Jam." The sensational news? The late, great Petrovic's appearance as a legends pick, after Drazen teamed with Derrick Coleman in the maiden arcade version, is a beautiful touch.

New York Knicks

Players: Al Harrington, Danilo Gallinari and Amare Stoudemire

Legends: Patrick Ewing and John Starks

Harrington's free-agent defection to Denver, like the aforementioned trade involving Courtney Lee, came too late for Al to be removed from the Knicks' roster on the Wii version and replaced by a lefty we can't resist: Anthony Randolph. The consolation here: Who doesn't want to see Ewing and Orlando pupil Dwight Howard go at it?

Orlando Magic

Players: Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis

Legends: Nick Anderson and Scott Skiles

Howard can't foul out in this virtual world and doesn't have to shoot free throws. (Neither, for that matter, does "legend" Anderson.) And with gritty, gutty Skiles available, perhaps you can look past the fact that neither of Orlando's other present-day top guards -- Jameer Nelson or J.J. Redick -- made the cut. The Magic, quite simply, are going to be a Jam handful.

Philadelphia 76ers

Players: Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand and Evan Turner

Legends: Julius Erving and Allen Iverson

When was the last time the actual Sixers were as dynamic and enticing as this fivesome looks? My next question: Will Iguodala, Brand or Turner get any Jam run when you can go with the tag team of Dr. J and A.I.?

Toronto Raptors

Players: DeMar DeRozan, Jarrett Jack and Andrea Bargnani

Mascot: The Raptor

If you thought Toronto took a real-world hit when Bosh bolted for Miami, check out the Raps' Jam roster. No legends to bail out the Raps that Bosh left behind and no Leandro Barbosa, even. Unless you're a gamer residing in Canada or Italy, can't see you choosing this team much.

Washington Wizards

Players: Yi Jianlian, Andray Blatche, Gilbert Arenas and John Wall

Legend: Manute Bol

Mascot: G-Wiz

Arenas wasn't on the ballot for fan voting because of the handgun debacle last season that got him suspended for 50 games, but he's been digitally reinstated to good standing to team up with that Wall kid. EA also has added Bol, who passed away in July, as a Wiz legend to make this team even more fun. 

Western Conference

Dallas Mavericks

Players: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Caron Butler

Mascot: Mavs Man

We could get into a deep discussion about how Shawn Marion or Tyson Chandler is better suited to Jam than Butler. We could also pass along our totally speculative suspicion that Mavs owner Mark Cuban will show up as a hidden character or lament the apparent absence of Shawn Bradley as a legends pick/prime posterization target. But going in any of those directions would steer us away from the only pertinent Mavs topic in this discussion: Mike Iuzzolino! We regret to report that Iuzzolino, unforgettable co-star of the Mavs' original Jam twosome in the 1993 arcade version withDerek Harper, has not been resurrected in 2010 … unless he's a secret character that our sources just don't know about.

Denver Nuggets

Players: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin

Mascot: Rocky The Mountain Lion

It's going to surprise some folks that J.R. Smith, frustrating as he can be to coach or watch in the actual NBA, will not be part of a virtual world in which it's perfectly OK to do little else but hoist 3-pointers and hammer down dunks. I also imagine it'll sadden some to learn that the contractual obstacles that complicated legends picks for so many teams have apparently left these Nuggets withoutDikembe Mutombo and/or fellow '93 Jam alumnus LaPhonso Ellis. The consolation: Melo will stay a Nugget in this arena no matter what Denver management decides to do with him between now and the February trading deadline.

Golden State Warriors

Players: Monta Ellis, David Lee, Stephen Curry and Andris Biedrins

Legends: Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin

It seems fairly easy to deduce that the Dubs have four current players instead of the standard three because EA programmers added summer arrival Lee to the trio of Warriors selected in fan voting. Far more important, though, is the fact that the irresistible '93 duo of Hardaway and Mullin remains intact, back to show Monta and D-Lee or Curry and D-Lee how Small Ball Nellie-Style is truly done.

Houston Rockets

Players: Kevin Martin, Yao Ming and Trevor Ariza

Legends: Hakeem Olajuwon and Kenny Smith

As with Courtney Lee's presence on New Jersey's roster in the Wii version, EA had to complete production before Ariza was dealt to New Orleans in a four-team deal in August that also featured Lee. So subbing him out for, say,Aaron Brooks will be possible only in EA's "NBA Elite 11" simulation title for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 that will include a downloadable version of "NBA Jam." The consolation: Hakeem and Kenny The Jet are back together, just like they were in arcades in '93, which means you can test out Dream and a supersized Yao as a tag team just for fun … or see if Suns legend Kevin Johnson can recreate his signature throwdown over Dream from 1994.

Los Angeles Clippers

Players: Baron Davis, Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman

Legend: Danny Manning

I am most curious to see how dominant the programming mavens have decided to make Griffin, considering we still haven't seen him in a real NBA game yet. And I am surely more excited than most to see a Clips roster that includes Manning, whose legendary status is unquestioned in Clipperland as well as here at Stein Line HQ, where we will never forget how he was traded to Atlanta on about the 10th day of my new life as a rookie beat writer in the 1993-94 season. (P.S. -- I suspect Baron will be an underrated Jam force who will eventually help Clips devotees get past the fact that Team USA's Eric Gordon apparently lost out in fan voting to Kaman.)

Los Angeles Lakers

Players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom

Legends: Magic Johnson and James Worthy

Kobe and Magic on the same team? Four current players instead of three so Artest and Odom both make the squad? Artest playing in a virtual world where it's not just permissible but encouraged to knock opponents over … with no fear of David Stern reprisal? I suppose Lakerland dwellars could bemoan the absence of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook and goggles, but I know what most of you are thinking: The rich get richer. Again.

Players: O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay

Legend: Bryant Reeves

Chronic back trouble ended Big Country's career with the Grizzlies before they ever played a game in Memphis. But that unfortunate chapter in Grizz history can be electronically rewritten now that those crazy EA guys -- based in Vancouver, don't forget -- have sneaked Reeves into the new Jam as a potential sidekick to anyone from the Mayo-Randolph-Gay triumvirate.

(How does Memphis have any legends and yet the Nuggets have none?)

Minnesota Timberwolves

Players: Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Jonny Flynn and Michael Beasley

Legend: Chuck Person

Jefferson remains with 'Sota in the Wii version, a la Ariza in Houston, because his trade to Utah happened too late in the summer for that update. And Kevin Garnett is obviously still playing in Boston, no matter how desperately 'Sota needs him as a legends pick. So someone please tell me that there will be a way to unlock Ricky Rubio as a secret Wolf. Please, please, please.

New Orleans Hornets

Players: Chris Paul, David West and Peja Stojakovic

Legend: Larry Johnson

It was mistakenly reported last week, thanks to a paperwork snafu, that Larry Johnson would appear as a third Knicks legend alongsidePatrick Ewing and John Starks. We are pleased to clarify now that Grandmama is actually in the game as a Hornets legend -- after LJ and Kendall Gill formed the original Jam twosome for the Hornets in Charlotte colors back in '93 -- which will undoubtedly please the real-life Chris Paul. After hearing stories about CP3's old Charlotte Hornets Starter jacket as a kid in Winston Salem, I'm fairly sure he'll be partnering LJ when he uses himself in the new Jam.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Players: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook

Legend: Rumble The Bison

Jam addicts are going to be down when they learn that they won't be able to relive old glories with Shawn Kemp. Ditto for the fact that Gary Payton -- who controversially did not appear in the original arcade version -- isn't included in the modern incarnation of Jam, either. Sonics fans, though, will obviously feel way more relief than disappointment that Kemp or Payton (or even Benoit Benjamin) were not made available to the masses under the Thunder banner and will probably rage at me for even mentioning the possibility. (One thing I think we can all agree on: Kevin Durant was too ruthless and dominant at the world championship in Turkey for us to insult him by fretting about how he'll handle getting knocked around by beefier players in a game without fouls and free throws.)

(No Sonics players? Half of my excitement for this game went right out the window right now)

Phoenix Suns

Players: Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson

Legends: Dan Majerle and Kevin Johnson

Just being honest: Even as we happily assume that Jam programmers have at last bestowed the power to dunk on our beloved Nash, it's hard to ignore what these virtual Suns don't have. They've got no size, no Charles Barkleyas a Suns legend after The Chuckster teamed with Majerle in the original arcade setup and no Suns Gorilla in a game that has given NBA mascots such a prominent stage. Let's just hope Barkley -- or The Gorilla -- is a hidden character.

(No Barkley? This team has no big men)

Portland Trail Blazers

Players: Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden

Legend: Clyde Drexler

Oden will never miss a game because of injury in Jam. That's the good news. His challenge will be convincing Blazers-minded gamers to put him on the floor when they can choose Aldridge ahead of him or the option of teaming up their modern-day face of the franchise (Roy) with a glory-days FOTF (Glide). (P.S. -- Still not thrilled that Nicolas Batum didn't make the cut.)

Sacramento Kings

Players: Tyreke Evans, Carl Landry, Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins

Legend: Mitch Richmond

The Kings were granted four current players instead of the usual three when the game's designers decided that Cousins deserved to be on the very short list of rookies -- Washington's John Wall and Philadelphia's Evan Turner are the only others -- worthy of landing a roster spot. Richmond, meanwhile, is a worthy Kings legend, but I can only presume that contractual hurdles are what prevented the inclusion of Chris Webber or old friend Vlade Divac in Sacramento's other legend spot. As for Omri Casspi … I will reluctantly stop at referring you back to my March rant when he wasn't even on the ballot as an option in fan voting.

San Antonio Spurs

Players: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili

Legends: David Robinson and George Gervin

You haven't heard this one too often: I think I'm as excited to see San Antonio play as any team in the game. And it's really all because this is the one team in the game whose two legends selections couldn't be more perfect. Want to reunite Duncan and Robinson? Want to line up the Spurs against Oklahoma City to see all those Durant-Iceman comparisons come to life? Want to see how Gervin might have looked alongside Duncan or Robinson? You can do it all with this lineup.

Utah Jazz

Players: Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur

Legends: Karl Malone and John Stockton

Figures. There's finally a vehicle to give us the visual for a thorough examination of Utah's pick-and-roll legacy … but it arrives after Carlos Boozer defects to Chicago in free agency. Jazz fans will thus have to settle for the original two-man-game-magic of Stockton-to-Malone … or plug D-Will in Stockton's place to see how he'd look alongside The Mailman … or play D-Will and Stock together just to be adventurous.