Dirk leads European NBA Live covers

One only needs to look at the back of NBA jerseys to see that professional basketball is quickly becoming an international affair. Williamses, Johnsons, and Jacksons are steadily being replaced by Mings, Kirilienkos, and N'Dongs. To reflect the global expansion of the NBA, Electronic Arts is offering the next edition of NBA Live in multiple covers, much like it does with its FIFA Soccer series.

Dallas Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki will be on the game's cover in his homeland of Germany, Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol will be featured on the cover in Spain, and San Antonio Spurs speedster Tony Parker and Phoenix Suns jack-of-all-trades Boris Diaw will be co-cover athletes in France. In other territories, previously announced cover athlete and Houston Rockets superstar Tracy McGrady will be the featured athlete.

"With the global appeal of NBA Live it is important to us to assemble an All-Star team of international players who reflect our worldwide basketball franchise leadership," said Keith Munro, vice president of marketing for EA. "These players are superstars on their NBA teams and some of the best players in the world."

NBA Live 07 will also feature a European All-Stars team. The roster will include the four European cover athletes, as well as Zydrunas Ilgauskus of the Cavaliers, Peja Stojakovic of the Hornets, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur of the Jazz, Hedo Turkoglu of the Magic, Vladimir Radmanovic and Sasha Vujacic of the Lakers, Andrea Bargnani of the Raptors, Mickael Pietrus of the Warriors, Beno Udrih of the Spurs, and Nenad Krstic of the Nets.

NBA Live 07 is being released on September 25 for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2, PSP, and PC. A PlayStation 3 version is also expected to be available in November. For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.