Category: NBA 2K23 News

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 2K20 Speedboosting Requirements

Speedboosting refers to the animation in which a player with a high ball handling rating gets a boost in speed after completing a certain chain of dribble moves.

It is one of the most effective moves in Park and almost unguardable when used correctly. But the requirements to Speedboost in NBA 2K20 have changed a bit. Here’s how:

You Need 86 Speed With Ball

You formerly needed 86 Ball Control to Speedboost, but now the requirement is 86 Speed with Ball. However, Speed with Ball is not it’s own attribute this year.

Speed with Ball is calculated in the following manner: (Speed rating * .7) + (Ball Control rating * .3) = Speed with Ball rating. As long as that math surpasses 86, you’ll be able to Speedboost off rip.

How to get 86 Speed with Ball

Twitter user @ooPaulagio created a helpful chart that details what attributes you’ll need to Speedboost in NBA 2K20:

Speedboosting with lower than 86 Speed with Ball

You’ll still be able to somewhat Speedboost without a concrete 86 Speed with Ball rating. This is because Playmaking Takeover and “getting hot” raises your Ball Control attributes.

So, as long as your Speed and Ball Control ratings are around 86, you should still be able to Speedboost with your Takeover bar a bit full. Remember, Takeover increases your main attributes +5 on normal overalls and up to +10 on higher overalls.

How to Speedboost

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.