Category: Best Badges

Best Defensive Badges for Every Position

“Defense wins Championships” rings true in NBA 2K23. If your player clamps up your opponent, chances are you’re going to win most games in NBA 2K23.

And to play your best defense in the newest game, you’re going to need the help of the Best Defensive Badges for Guards in the game this year. We broke them into positions and tiers to best fit your player(s):

Skip to: Guards | Swings | Big Men

Guards

Guards are typically focused on perimeter defense, and these badge selections reflect this focus:

Tier 3

Clamps: Guarding opposing guards is tougher with overpowered blowbys off stepbacks, but Clamps is going to be your best bet to stop opposing scorers.
Challenger: Chances are, you’ll be guarding a lot of 3-point shots. Challenger is going to help amplify your contests and slow down opposing shooters.
Glove: Some really like this badge, but on-ball steals are still pretty inconsistent in 2K23. If you have extra badge points, this may be worth throwing a few on.

Tier 2

Pick Dodger: Screens are still extremely effective, and Pick Dodger is still underpowered. Nonetheless, you’re going to need this badge if you want to have any hope of getting around picks.
Menace: This badge has not been great these past few years, but there aren’t too many great options in this tier.

Tier 1

Chasedown Artist: This badge is far underpowered compared to last year, but with the dominant playstyle being rim-running, this badge will at least give you some hope.
Anchor: This, again, is a counter to rim-running. You’re a small player, so don’t expect great results contesting in the paint, but this badge will give you a fighting chance.

Swings

Swing players, defined as 6’6″ to 6’9″, have to focus on both a bit of perimeter defense and interior defense. Here are the best defensive badges in each Tier for swings:

Tier 3

Clamps: Again, this badge is going to help you stop ball handlers. Swing players will probably be helping on ball handlers frequently, so this is still the best defensive badge.
Challenger: Whether you’re guarding an on-ball or off-ball shooter, Challenger is going to help you contest their jumpshots and stop a barrage of threes.
Interceptor: Playing passing lanes is perhaps a swing player’s biggest contribution on defense, so Interceptor is a natural fit. You can play without it, but it makes getting steals so much easier.

Tier 2

Chasedown Artist: Whether you’re playing on-ball or off-ball, this badge is going to help you guard again rim-running. Again, this badge pales to last year’s version, but still helps.
Anchor: You’re a bit bigger than guards, so this interior defense badge is going to help a bit more. Whether you are on a guard, swing, or big man, this badge will help you guard the paint.

Tier 1

Rebound Chaser: You won’t be the primary rebounder (hopefully), but having this badge on a lower level is going to allow you to help clean up the boards on long rebounds.
Pick Dodger: You won’t face a ton of screens as a swing, but this badge will help you in the chance that you do. It’s still underwhelming, but it’s one of few good badges in Tier 1.

Big Men

Big Men are entirely focused on paint defense and rebounding, and this list of badges is going to help you maximize both skills and help you lead your defense to wins:

Tier 3

Anchor: Interior defense is a bit odd this year without this badge, so big men should have it on the highest level they can afford. It’s a mix of Rim Protector and Intimidator from last year, so you can see why it’s so important.
Rebound Chaser: You can get rebounds without this badge, but you are going to be out-boarded, without fail, by centers with this badge.
Brick Wall: Screens are still an important part of 2K23, and this badge is going to help you set both stronger and more effective screens. ?It’s not necessary, but helpful after you equip the above badges.

Tier 2

Boxout Beast: Unless you want opposing big men worming around your boxouts, this badge is going to be necessary. It’s pretty cheap and effective, so it’s a definite must for all big men.
Chasedown Artist: This badge makes another appearance, and it’s just another tool for big men to guard the paint.

Tier 1

Challenger: Regardless of your defensive scheme, you are going to be switched onto shooters at some point. This cheap badge is going to help you defend against those shots.
Interceptor: Again, you’ll be playing the passing lanes at some point. This badge is going to maximize your chances of getting a steal if they throw it your way.

Check out our other guides on the best badges in each category:

The Best Shooting Badges in NBA 2K23 for Every Position

Jump to: Guards | Swings | Big Men

Shooting looks like it is going to be dominant in NBA 2K23, and your performance will again be highly dependent on badges. As you begin playing 2K23, you’re going to want to equip the following shooting badges.

Guards

Guards are mostly going to be focused on shooting off-the-dribble with a bit of spot-up work. Here the best shooting badges for guards:

Tier 3

Limitless Range: Shooting from deep is still one of the most valuable skills in NBA 2K23, and this badge is going to help you launch from deep.
Deadeye: With badges like Challenger, contests on shots are stronger than ever. This increases the importance of Deadeye, which diminishes contests from the front.
Blinders: Another badge that diminishes contests, this time from the side. Not necessary in many situations, but helpful if you have the badge points.

Tier 2

Amped: With dribbling revamped this year, fatigue plays a bigger role in shooting. Amped is going to help you shoot when tired, and most dribbling builds are going to need it.
Catch and Shoot: Off-ball shooters are going to need this badge, and it’s pretty cheap compared to its effectiveness. Other players could benefit from it on lower levels.

Tier 1

Guard Up: Although the defense’s focus is going to be on making sure you don’t get open shots, this badge is going to help you make more shots when the defense doesn’t put a hand up.
Comeback Kid: You never plan on being down in the score, but it happens. This badge is actually awesome and can really turn the tide of a game when equipped.

Swings

Swing players are mostly focused on off-ball shooting, and these tier-based selections reflect that style of play:

Tier 3

Limitless Range: Shooting from deep is also important for swing players, and this badge is the best chance you have to shoot from deep.
Catch and Shoot: Off-ball shooters are going to need to have this badge, and most swing players fit this category. A highly effective badge that will help you hit more shots.
Deadeye: Negating contests is a big part of shooting off-ball, too. Deadeye helps the best when someone is guarding you 1-on-1.

Tier 2

Guard Up: Whether your defender sags off you or just doesn’t contest your shots, this badge is going to make defenses pay for not guarding you.
Corner Specialist: You’ll probably find yourself in the corner at some point, and this badge is your best chance at increasing your chances to make those shots.

Tier 1

Claymore: If you’re mainly a spot-up shooter, this badge is going to be both a cheap and extremely effective way to make more shots. The more you stand still, the higher chance you have of making a shot.
Comeback Kid: This badge again. It’s cheap, but works really well at helping your team come back in games.

Big Men

Big Men are almost exclusively spot-up shooters or pick-and-pop shooters, and the following badges are going to help you maximize your chances in both situations:

Tier 3

Catch and Shoot: Shooting off the catch becomes so much easier with this badge, and it’s almost necessary for any big man with shooting ability.
Corner Specialist: You’ll most likely mostly be in the corner, and this badge is going to help you make more of those shots.

Tier 2

Claymore: Since you’ll be spotting up most of the time, this badge is going to help you make more spot-up shots. The longer you sit in one position, the more of a bonus you get.
Guard Up: It’s common for defenders to sag off centers, but this badge will make them pay for their actions.

Tier 1

Comeback Kid: Centers typically have lower shooting ratings, but this badge is going to help you boost those ratings when you need it most. When you’re losing, this badge comes to the rescue.
Clutch Shooter: Another badge that gives a boost to your ratings, this time late in games. Teams might focus on your teammates in big situations, so this badge helps make the other team pay.

How to Use Your Badge Points

If you would like tips or tricks on your badge points, please send an email to nba2khq@gmail.com and we will help you pick the best badges for your player(s).

Best Playmaking Badges for Every Position

The playmaking requirements differ for each position, and this guide breaks down the best playmaking badges for each position based on the different tiers:

Jump to: Guards | Swings | Bigs

Guards

Guards are usually required to dribble and pass the most, and generally handle the majority of the playmaking. The following badges maximize these abilites:

Tier 3

Killer Combos: This badge improves a ball handler’s effectiveness on size-up moves. It’s a great badge in that you get some crazy animations that help break down defenders.
Handles for Days: With dribbling getting a huge revamp this year, stamina is more important than ever. This badge allows you to dribble more without losing more stamina.
Clamp Breaker: Chances are, you are going to have a ton of defenders trying to bump you. This badge will help you win more of these situations and keep your dribble.

Tier 2

Quick First Step: It’s crazy that this is Tier 2 badge, but Quick First Step is a required badge for all ball handlers. It helps you get better speed boosts out of a size-up.
Hyperdrive: Another dribbling badge that helps you dribble quicker. This will help you break down your defender and get past them for easy buckets.

Tier 1

Dimer: When you’re dishing to teammates, this badge will give your teammates a bit of a shooting boost. It’s a cheap badge and works well, so there’s no point in not having it at some level.
Needle Threader: Another effective passing badge that is going to be cheap. Helps more of your passes reach the intended target without getting stolen.

Swings

6’6″ to 6’9″ players typically do a bit of dribbling and passing, although few playmaking opportunities fall on their lap. Nonetheless, these badges will help them in the playmaking department:

Tier 3

Clamp Breaker: You’ll get bumped a ton, but this badge is going to help you win more of those bumps and keep dribbling.
Handles for Days: You won’t dribble a ton, but this badge will ensure that you can at least dribble a bit when needed, without losing a ton of stamina.
Killer Combos: Another dribbling badge that you might not use a lot, but works well when needed.

Tier 2

Quick First Step: You won’t do a ton of lateral dribbling, but this badge will help you dribble downhill. You’ll get past more defenders with this badge, and there’s no reason your player shouldn’t have it.
Needle Threader: You’ll likely be swinging the ball a lot, and this badge will ensure that you don’t throw careless turnovers.

Tier 1

Dimer: Another passing badge that will give your teammates a boost when you pass it to them.
Special Delivery: I don’t expect you to throw many alley-oops, but this tier is quite dry for swings. In the odd chance that you throw an oop, this badge will be very useful.

Big Men

Big men do very little playmaking, with the majority of their focus towards passing the ball when they’re not open. Nonetheless, these are the best badges in this category for centers:

Tier 3

Break Starter: When you’re throwing outlet passes, this badge will make sure few of them are errant. It’s not super necessary, though it does help a lot.
Needle Threader: Another passing badge that will help you avoid turnovers.

Tier 2

Vice Grip: One of the more necessary playmaking badges for big men, as it limits the amount of times defenders strip you after getting a rebound. It doesn’t work great, but any boost is better than none.
Bail Out: When you find yourself taking a bad shot and want to pass out of the shot, this badge will help you throw a more accurate pass. Extremely useful.

Tier 1

Floor General: Tier 1 is extremely thin for big men, but Floor General is probably the most useful. It gives a rating boost to any teammates on the floor with you.

Best Finishing Badges for Every Position in NBA 2K23

With shooting requiring more grinding and skill this year, finishing has become an integral part of the game for the first time in a few years. In this article we break down the best finishing badges for every position and tier:

Jump to: Guards | Swings | Big Men

Guards

Guards are focused on rim-running and finishing among big men, and these picks reflect these particular skills:

Tier 3

Posterizer: Dunking over people is one of the most important parts of finishing this year, and this badge will help you get more poster dunks.
Limitless Takeoff: Dunking from further out is one of the most important skills, especially if someone is paint-sitting or help defense. This badge will help you get more dunks in general, as well.
Slithery: Sometimes contact dunks aren’t the best move, and this badge will help you avoid contact with bigger defenders. It works well as it’s job, although it requires more finesse than going for a poster.

Tier 2

Pro Touch: If you have layup timing on, this badge is seriously going to increase the number of layups, dunks, and alley-oops you make. Just time these moves OK and this badge will take care of the rest.
Fearless Finisher: Whereas Posterizer helps with contact dunks, Fearless Finisher helps with contact layups. You don’t always need a contact dunk, and this badge will ensure you still get some points.

Tier 1

Giant Slayer: Finishing around bigger players is tough any year, but this badge is going to help you get some points on the board when bigger defenders come to contest your layups.
Aerial Wizard: You probably won’t have too many opportunities for alley-oops, but this badge will help whether you get the chance or there are special events around alley-oops.

Swings

6’6″ to 6’9″ players should be focused on finishing dunks and layups off the catch in transition or on a cut, and the following badges help you maximize these situations:

Tier 3

Posterizer: You’re bigger, stronger, and probably have a higher dunk rating than guards. This badge is going to help you finish dunks more often and get some pretty cool animations.
Limitless Takeoff: Another badge that helps your dunking ability, this time by increasing the distance you dunk from.
Bully: This badge helps you get through the paint to the basket more effectively, especially against smaller defenders. Not necessary, but great if you have the extra badge points.

Tier 2

Fearless Finisher: You might not be finishing a lot of layups as a swing, but this badge is going to help you finish contact layups in the event that you do not trigger a contact dunk.
Aerial Wizard: Catching alley-oops off the cut or in transition are some of the most electrifying plays in NBA 2K23, and this badge is going to boost your chances of making these oops.

Tier 1

Pro Touch: This badge will help your timing on layups, dunks, and alley-oops. For very few badge points, this badge is awesome.
Rise Up: If you ever find yourself under the basket with the ball, this badge will help you get much safer dunks, rather than layups that either miss or get blocked at a higher rate.

Big Men

Big Men are focused on interior finishing and dunking on smaller players. These are the best finishing badges to do so:

Tier 3

Bully: This is such an apt name for what a big man should be doing, as this badge boosts your ability to steamroll through the paint towards the basket.
Masher: Another great badge for big men that allows them to finish over smaller players. Not necessarily a must-have, but a great badge if you find yourself in mismatches frequently.
Rise Up: Another big man-focused badge that allows you to complete more standing dunks. Best complemented with a high standing dunk rating, but otherwise not very useful.

Tier 2

Posterzier: Whether it’s a standing dunk over a smaller player or a driving dunk, Posterizer will allow you to dunk over opponents.
Backdown Punisher: There aren’t a ton of back-to-basket centers in the game, but this badge helps all big men back down opponents to either score in the paint, or dish the ball from the post.

Tier 1

Pro Touch: Again, a necessary badge to help with timing alley-oops, dunks, and layups. All you need is decent timing, and this badge will boost the chances you make the shot.
Fearless Finisher: This goes along well with Masher, in that it will help you finish contact layups in the paint. It’s cheap and effective, so we recommend using it.

Check out our other guides on the best badges for the other badge categories: