Category: NBA 2K23 Badges

Guide to Shooting Badges – Here
Guide to Finishing Badges – Here
Guide to Defensive Badges – Here
Guide to Playmaking Badges – Here

The Best Dribble Pull-Up Animations

One of the best shots in the game for guards is the Dribble Pull-Up, whether that means shooting a fade or simply shooting off the dribble. But like Jumpshots, not all Dribble Pull-Up Animations are built the same. Here are the best dribble pullups in the game right now:

  1. Stephen Curry: The quickest and easiest-to-time dribble pull-up animation set. Works for guards, wings, and bigs, and is by far the best for your player.
  2. Pro 2: An athletic package that is a bit slower than the Curry package but gets more space on pull-ups. Good set of animations too, whether closer to the basket or further away.
  3. Normal: Not as good as Normal 4 in past games, but the closest thing to it. Gets you decent enough space and gives you some extra time to green the shot.

How to Grind your Badges Quickly and Efficiently

Grinding badges can be one of the most tedious parts of NBA 2K24, especially now that badges can be taken away if not used frequently. In this article we break down the quickest and most efficient ways to grind the badges on your player, and how to keep them if you

Shooting

Take tons of shots on low difficulty: The easiest way to get shooting badges is to play on pro difficulty and throw up a ton of 3’s. The low difficulty will make it easier to shoot, unlock the badge quicker, and keep the badge if you’re on the edge of losing it.

Do the Corner 3’s Drill in the Practice Facility: An easy way to get a bunch of badge points while practicing your jumpshot timing. The easiest and most efficient practice method to get shooting badge points.

Playmaking

Abuse the Pick and Roll: The Pick and Roll is one of the only easy ways to score on Next-Gen, but will get you a ton of assists and badge points along the way. Get a good center with brick wall and abuse the Pick and Roll.

The Triangle and Cut Method: This method has you hold triangle to call for your teammates to cut to the basket. This should help your teammates get easy buckets and help you get badge points.

Prioritize throwing lobs: Lobs are the best way to get the max points per possession. However, they can sometimes be hard to successfully completed. Thus, if you see a teammate wide open for a lob, throw it.

Pick the right badges to help grind: Quick First Step is a must-have badge for any other badge types, but Dimer and Special Delivery are the best badges to help you get more playmaking badge points.

Do the Lob drill in the practice facility: The Lob Drill is a quick and easy way to get a ton of Playmaking badge points. Although there are easier drills, none provide the best points for your time as this specific drill.

Finishing

Utilize fast breaks: Cherry picking is an easy way to get easy dunks and layups, which get you more finishing badge points. Use any fast breaks to get easy buckets instead of pulling up for three.

Unlock the right badges to help grind: Quick First Step is a must for getting to the basket, and Fearless Finisher, Posterizer, and Limitless Takeoff are musts. Other badges like Slithery Finisher can also help.

Abuse the Pick and Roll: It can be tough to get finishing badges on Next-Gen, but the best way seems to be to call for a pick and roll and drive to the hoop. While being the roller is also a way to get points, we haven’t had the same success.

Do the Putback drill in the practice facility: This drill has you finish Putbacks. It can get you a serious amount of badge points in not much time, and it is a rather easy drill. You don’t even need a high dunk rating to do it, either.

Defense

Bump Steals: Bump steals are a great way to rack up easy defensive badge points. The only problem is they can be a bit tough at times. But timing and positioning correctly can be an easily repeatable way to get defensive badges.

Rebounds: Big men get a ton of defensive badge points for rebounds. You will need the Rebound Chaser badge as high as you can get it, but it is the easiest way for big men to get easy defensive badge points.

Pick the right badges to help grind: We already mentioned Rebound Chaser, but other badges like Anchor are musts for grinding any player.

Do the Rim Protector drill in the practice facility: This drill is easy and gets you a ton of points quickly. You only need to prevent a basket, with blocks providing you more stars on the drill.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Deadeye: With badges like Challenger, contests on shots are stronger than ever. This increases the importance of Deadeye, which diminishes contests from the front.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  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.
  2. 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

  1. Limitless Range: Shooting from deep is also important for swing players, and this badge is the best chance you have to shoot from deep.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  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.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Guard Up: It’s common for defenders to sag off centers, but this badge will make them pay for their actions.

Tier 1

  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.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  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.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Limitless Takeoff: Another badge that helps your dunking ability, this time by increasing the distance you dunk from.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Pro Touch: This badge will help your timing on layups, dunks, and alley-oops. For very few badge points, this badge is awesome.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

  1. Posterzier: Whether it’s a standing dunk over a smaller player or a driving dunk, Posterizer will allow you to dunk over opponents.
  2. 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

  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.
  2. 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:

NBA 2K20 Badges – The Complete List

Finishing

Acrobat: Spin, half-spin, hop step, euro-step, cradle, reverse, and change shot layup attempts receive a significant boost.

Backdown Punisher: Allows players to have more success than normal when backing down a defender in the paint.

Consistent Finisher: Penalties for mis-timed layups are reduced, allowing players to make layups more consistently.

Contact Finisher: Slashers who play below the rim finish contact layups more successfully while dunkers are able to pull off more contact dunks.

Cross-Key Scorer: Boosts the ability to make running hooks, layups, or close range pull-ups while driving across the paint.

Deep Hooks: Post hooks taken far from the basket receive less of a distance penalty than normal.

Dropstepper: Allows for more success when attempting post dropsteps and hop steps, in addition to protecting the ball better, while performing these moves in the post.

Fancy Footwork: players get past defenders more efficiently when performing euro, cradle, hop step, spin, and half-spin gathers.

Fastbreak Finisher: Gives an additional boost to a player’s takeover meter when successfully dunking on a fastbreak.

Giant slayer: Boosts the shot percentage for a layup attempt when mismatched against a taller defender and reduces the possibility of getting blocked.

Lob City Finisher: Improves a player’s ability to successfully finish an alley-oop layup or dunk. The shot must be taken before the receiver lands.

Pick & Roller: When rolling off the pick and roll, a shot boost is applied if the layup or dunk attempt comes within a few seconds after catching the pass.

Pro Touch: Gives an extra shot boost for having slightly early, slightly late, or excellent shot timing on layups.

Putback Boss: Boosts the shot attributes of a player that attempts a putback layup or dunk right after getting an offensive rebound.

Relentless Finisher: Improves a player’s ability to take a lot of contact by reducing the energy lost when attacking the rim for contact shots.

Showtime: Gives an additional boost to a player’s takeover meter and his teammates, when successfully completing an and-1 or flashy dunk.

Slithery Finisher: Increases a player’s ability to slide through traffic and avoid contact during gathers and finishes at the rim.

Tear dropper: Improves a player’s ability to known down floaters and runners.

Shooting

Catch & Shoot: For a short time after receiving a pass, the receiver’s outside shooting attributes get a significant boost.

Clutch Shooter: Shot attempts that occur during the final moments of the 4th quarter, or in any overtime period, receive a large boost.

Corner Specialist: Deep mid-range or 3pt shots taken along the baseline of the court receive a boost, whether it is off the dribble or off the catch.

Deadeye: Jump shots taken with a defender closing out receive less of a penalty from a shot contest. This includes both mid-range and 3pt shots.

Deep fades: Post fadeaways taken far from the basket receive less of a distance penalty than normal.

Difficult Shots: Boosts your player’s ability to make shots off the dribble, in addition to boosting your player’s ability to make moving shots.

Flexible Release: Shot timing penalties for jump shots are reduced, making it easier to knock down attempts even when releasing early or late.

Green Machine: Gives an additional shot boost when consecutively achieving excellent releases on jump shots. 

Hot Start: For every made shot from the beginning of the game, players receives a shot attribute bonus that lasts until the first missed shot attempt

Hot Zone Hunter: Shots that are taken in a player’s hot zone(s) are given a boost

Ice in Veins: Free throws taken in the second half of close games or overtime periods are given a boost. Also, the timing window for free throws becomes larger.

Pick & Popper: Shot attempts that come after setting a screen are given a boost if the shot happens far enough from the rim and within a few seconds after the screen has been set.

Pump Fake Maestro: Shortens the timer that determines how long after a pump fake a player can shoot without incurring a shot percentage penalty.

Quick Draw: The higher the badge level, the faster a player will be able to release all jump shots.

Range Extender: Adds extra distance to a player’s given shot range for both mid-range and 3pt shots.

Slippery Off-Ball: When attempting to get open off screens, the player more effectively navigates through traffic.

Steady Shooter: Shot attempts that are contested receive less of a penalty, however shot attempts that are open do not receive as much of a bonus.

Tireless Scorer: Shot attributes on jump shots suffer a smaller penalty than normal when tired.

Volume Shooter: After a player has taken a small handful of shots, an additional boost to shot attributes is given for ever subsequent shot, whether it’s a make or a miss.

Playmaking

Ankle Breaker: Improves the likelihood of freezing or dropping a defender during dribble moves, especially stepback moves or certain chains of dribble moves.

Bail Out: Increases the chances of a successful and accurate pass out of a jumpshot or layup while mid-air.

Break Starter: Allows rebounders to throw more effective deep outlet passes shortly following a defensive rebound.

Dimer: Gives a shooting boost to receivers in catch-and-shoot oppurtunities.

Downhill: Increases your player’s speed with ball rating on fastbreak opportunities

Dream Shake: Increases the chances that a defender falls for a pump fake in the post. In addition, your player’s shooting attributes increase after post moves or pump fakes.

Flashy Passer: Gives a Takeover boost to the passer and receiver after following a made shot off a flashy pass.

Floor General: Boosts your teammates’ offensive attributes when on the floor.

Handles for Days: Allows playmakers and dribbling builds to lose less stamina when chaining dribble moves.

Lob City Passer: Increases the chances of a successful alley-oop pass and finish. It boosts both your player’s passing attribute and the finishing attributes of your receiver.

Needle Threader: Increases the success of tough passes between defenders. When activated, this badge will boost your passing attributes and help deliver a crisp pass.

Pass Fake Maestro: Increases the effectiveness of fake passes by making them quicker and tighter.

Post Spin Technician: Boosts a player’s post spin or post drive

Quick First Step: Allows players to get more explosive first steps out of the triple threat or size up.

Space Creator: Boosts your player’s ability to create space from a defender on a step back move or shot.

Stop & Go: Allows ball handlers to quickly stop-and-go while dribbling. You also get unique launch animations on stop-and-gos with this badge.

Tight Handles: Boosts your player’s ball handling in one-on-one situations.

Unpluckable: Makes it more difficult for defenders to steal the ball from your player.

Defending and Rebounding

Box: Strengthens a player’s ability to effectively box out opponents in anticipation of a rebound.

Brick Wall: This badge makes it tougher for a defense to get through or around screens. Players hit by contact from a brick wall lose more energy than normal.

Chase Down Artist: Boosts the speed and leaping ability of a player when he is chasing down an offensive player in anticipation of a block attempt.

Clamps: Defenders have access to quicker cut off moves and are more successful when bumping or hip riding riding the ball handler.

Defensive Leader: Lifts the defensive ability of teammates when on the court. Also, at the Hall of Fame level, can see potential shot percentages of opposing players. 

Heart crusher: After successfully blocking or stealing the ball from an opponent, an additional penalty is given to the opposing player’s takeover meter.

Interceptor: The frequency of successfully tipped or intercepted passes greatly increases.

Intimidator: Offensive players have less success shooting when contested by players with this badge. Also boosts the shot defense rating when tightly guarding an opponent.

Lightning Reflexes: Gives the defender an advantage to read where the ball handler is going in the Read and React System.

Moving Truck: Players are more effective pushing opponents out of the post while playing defense.

Off-Ball Pest: Makes players more difficult to get past when playing off-ball, as they can grab and hold their matchup and don’t get their ankles broken as often.

Pick Dodger: Improves a player’s ability to navigate through and round screens while on defense.

Pick Pocket: Increases the chances of a steal and reduces the chances of a foul when attempting to strip the ball from a ball handler. Also improves the chances of successful layup strips. 

Pogo Stick: Allows players to quickly go back for another block attempt upon landing.

Post Move Lockdown: Increases the chances of a defender preventing an offensive post move from succeeding.

Rebound chaser: Improves a player’s ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal.

Rim protector: Improves player’s ability to block shots, unlocks special animations and gives a boost to the Takeover meter for the blocker and blocker’s teammates following a block.

Tireless defender: Allows defenders to play defense more aggressively without losing energy at the same rate as a normal player.

Trapper: When trapping offensive players, defenders are more effective at forcing pickups and turnovers than normal. 

Worm: When boxed out, rebounders have more success swimming around and getting into successful rebound position.

NBA 2K23 Shooting Badges: The Complete Guide

Here is the list of Shooting Badges in NBA 2K23, on both Next Gen and current generation consoles. The tier in which each badge is in is also included under each badge’s description.

BadgeDescription
Agent 3Improves the ability to hit difficult three-pointers off dribble
BlindersLimits the effectiveness of contests from the side.
Deadeye Mitigates the effectiveness of closeouts.
Limitless RangeMakes shooters more effective shooting from a few steps beyond the 3pt line
AmpedReduces the penalties for shooting when fatigued and when moving excessively before shooting
Catch & ShootBoosts the chance of hitting a three-pointer immediately after a catch
Green MachineIncreases the bonus given for consecutive excellent releases
Space CreatorBoosts stepback and hop jumpers
ClaymoreBoosts a player's shooting when they are standing still prior to getting the ball
Clutch ShooterIncreases the ability to knock down shots in clutch moments
Comeback KidImproves a player's ability to shoot perimeter jump shots when trailing in a game.
Corner SpecialistGives a boost to shots taken in the corner.
Guard UpMakes an outside shooter even deadlier if opponent fails to get a hand in the face
Middy MagicianGives you a boost on midrange shots off the bounce or in the post
Slippery Off-BallStrengthens the player's ability to get open off the ball using the Pro Stick
Volume ShooterBoost shot percentages as shot attempts accrue throughout the game.

Must-Read Posts on Shooting Badges:

NBA 2K23 Playmaking Badges: A Complete Guide

BadgeDescription
Bail OutImproves the chances of successfully completing a pass from mid-air.
Break StarterImproves a player's ability to make effective outlet passes after grabbing a rebound.
DimerBoosts the shot percentage for open teammates on jump shots after catching a pass.
Floor GeneralTeammates receive an offensive attribute bonus when player is in the game.
Needle ThreaderIncreases the likelihood that tough passes can get by the defense.
Post PlaymakerBoosts the effectiveness of both shots and moves when playing in the post.
Special DeliveryGives boost to passer and receiver's takeover meter following a flashy pass if the shot goes in.
Vice GripImproves ball security after grabbing a rebound, catch, or picking up the ball.
Ankle BreakerImproves the likelihood of freezing or dropping a defender during dribble moves.
HyperdriveBoosts the speed and effectiveness of moving dribble moves.
Quick First StepProvides more explosive first steps out of triple threat and size-ups.
UnpluckableReduces the chances of getting stripped by the defender.
Clamp BreakerHelps ball handlers win more 1-on-1 bumps from defenders.
Handles for DaysReduces the amount of energy lost when performing dribble moves.
Killer CombosImproves size-up dribble moves.
Mismatch ExpertHelps smaller guards break down taller defenders when mismatch 1-on-1.

NBA 2K23 Defending and Rebounding Badges: A Complete Guide

BadgeDescription
AnchorImproves your player's ability to block and contest shots in the paint
Brick WallStrengthens screens and allows players to hold their ground.
ChallengerStrengthens perimeter shot contests
ClampsBoosts the ability to stay in front of the ball handler on the perimeter
Rebound ChaserImproves a player's ability to chase down rebounds
GloveAllows you to strip opponents as they gather for shots and poke the ball free from ball handlers.
Pogo StickAllows you to jump repetitively in the paint to get more blocks and rebounds.
InterceptorIncreases the chances at getting steals in the passing lanes.
Ankle BracesReduces the chances of getting crossed over.
MenaceSignificantly drops the offensive ratings of opponents while you smother them.
Pick DodgerHelps players get around screens.
Work HorseBoosts your ability to get 50/50 balls and play intense defense without getting tired.
Boxout BeastImproves a player's ability to box out opponents.
Chase Down ArtistHelps you get more chase down blocks.
Off-Ball PestImproves a player's ability to to bump and harass a player off-ball.
Post LockdownImproves a defender's ability to defend post moves and backdowns

NBA 2K23 Finishing Badges: The Complete Guide

Acrobat

Acrobat has been around for quite some time in the NBA 2K games, but very few players have been able to fully take advantage of the animations this badge grants you.

For 2K23, Acrobat is largely the same, as it increases your ability to make difficult layups. This badge is going to be useless for your player unless you try a lot of reverse layups or even have the stick stills for more advanced lineups.

Aerial Wizard

Before there were specific badges for finishing lobs and putbacks. For NBA 2K23, both of these abilities are combined into one new badge: Aerial Wizard.

This badge replaces Lob City Finisher and Putback Boss and improves your player’s ability to finish alley-oops and putbacks. If you are a decent lob threat, we recommend this badge on at least the lower levels.

Backdown Punisher

NBA 2K is not always programmed to allow bigger players to back down smaller ones, as you may see in real life, so there is a badge to help you do so: Backdown Punisher.

This badge increases the chances of a player successfully backing down an opponent. It works for all players against all players, but we only recommend it for big men who frequently play the post.

Bully

Even if you had a high strength rating and a few inches on the opponent, finsihing in traffic was always a nightmare. For NBA 2K23, there’s a new badge to fight through traffic in the paint instead of having to jump over them.

Bully increases your player’s ability to finish strong by bulldozing through traffic. 2K lists Giannis and Lebron as good examples of this badge, but we have a feeling you won’t be as dominant as either in the paint with this badge.

Dream Shake

Dream Shake is a post scoring badge that raises the chances that a defender bites when doing fakes in the post. It doesn’t work that well against the AI or against humans, so we don’t recommend it.

Dropstepper

The dropstep was nearly impossible a few years ago in NBA 2K19, but has since lost its luster. Regardless, 2K has continued to include Dropstepper in the list of finishing badges.

This badge improves a player’s ability to effectively use dropsteps in the paint. The only players who are going to need or use this badge are Post Scorers.

Fast Twitch

The advent of Pogo Stick and spamming jumps in the paint was a nightmare for any offense, so 2K developed a badge that hoped to counter the unstoppable move.

Fast Twitch is back for NBA 2K23 and boosts the ability to jump quicker for standing layups and dunks. It didn’t really work that well (and Pogo Stick was nerfed), so we don’t recommend it besides on a lower level.

Fearless Finisher

Contact layups were one of the most random events in NBA 2K for years, as you would get a whole host of animations and results. Fearless Finisher was the fix to hopefully create some consistency in paint.

This badge improves the ability to finish contact layups. We did see that it worked a bit, and it was a must-have for a lot of slashers, but most players would benefit most from having this badge on Bronze or Silver.

Giant Slayer

Smaller players always complained that it was impossible to finish near larger defenders, and it was true: Big men were getting unrealistic blocks on guards. Giant Slayer was introduced.

This badge heightens the efectiveness of layups over taller defenders. It works, and although you won’t finish impossible or even tougher layups, guards should have this badge in their arsenal.

Limitless Takeoff

Crazy dunks, like Jordan’s free throw line dunk, have always been a part of NBA 2K. For 2K22 and now 2K23, there’s a badge that helps you get more of these insane animations.

Limitless Takeoff boosts the ability to soar from further away on driving dunk attempts. It is one of the top finishing badges a must-have for builds with higher dunk ratings.

Masher

The inability to finish layups and dunks over smaller defenders has infuriated big men for years, so 2K released a badge called Mouse in the House in 2K22. It was not good at all, so 2K has reworked and given it a new name.

Masher increases the ability to finish inside layups over defenders. We’re a bit skeptical about how well this badge will work, but it will be good to at least have on Bronze or Silver for the first few months.

Post Spin Technician

Post Spin Technician boosts post spin moves or drives. The post spin has not worked that effectively for years, so we can’t recommend it for anything other than dedicated post scorers.

Posterizer

  • Post Spin Technician: Improves the ability of a post spin or drive to work effectively.
  • Posterizer: Improves the likelihood of posterizing your opponent.
  • Pro Touch: Gives an additional boost for having good layup timing or aiming.
  • Rise Up: Makes it easier to dunk when under the basket.
  • Slithery:
  • Tear Dropper: Increases the chance of hitting floaters and runners.