The thing about playmaking moves is that they deplete stamina in huge chunks. Even players who pack on the maximum amount of stamina in their perfect point guard build in NBA 2K23 will only be able to use a few before running out of energy.
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This leaves players with a choice. Either forfeit dribbling altogether and leave it to the NBA 2K23 experts or use only the best, most unbelievable moves available. The default dribble moves are terrible, so playmakers should take note and replace their old moves with some of the nastiest fakeouts the court has ever seen.
Dribble Style
Under 6'5" | Chris Paul |
6'5" - 6'10" | Joel Embiid |
6'10"+ | Joel Embiid |
The trick to the best dribble styles is that they can go left or right in a flash. Most of the styles favor one direction most of the ones remaining are slow on the first step. Thankfully, Chris Paul and Joel Embiid are happy exceptions.
Many might be surprised that the big man can dribble. The center isn't only meant to grab the best defense/rebounding badges, stretch bigs are needed on the perimeter now more than ever before in NBA history.
Signature Size-Ups
Under 6'5" | Carmelo Anthony |
6'5" - 6'10" | Carmelo Anthony |
6'10"+ | Carmelo Anthony |
Keep 'em guessing is the point of the size-up. Defenders need to believe that, at any moment, the handler could drive or fade left, right, head-on, or straight back. The Carmelo Anthony Size-Up is particularly nasty and will throw even veteran players for a loop. Those with perfect three-point builds will love it when defenders move just a tad and then give up the completely open shot.
Size-Up Escape Packages
Under 6'5" | Kobe Bryant |
6'5" - 6'10" | Kobe Bryant |
6'10"+ | Kobe Bryant |
The purpose of a size-up escape is to get to the side of a defender quickly. Players with ideal finishing badges will know the drill as they need to get to the alley more than anyone else. Getting open horizontally has a tremendous benefit if done quickly and deceptively and no style does it better than the Kobe Bryant package.
Moving Crossovers
Under 6'5" | Jayson Tatum |
6'5" - 6'10" | Jayson Tatum |
6'10"+ | Jayson Tatum |
The biggest crime of the moving crossover is that so many animations slow down the forward progress. The movement to the side of an opponent needs to take advantage and prevent them from riding the hip to the rim or getting a hand to the face on a shot.
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Players built for dunks or long-range shots will both love the Jayson Tatum animations. It's deceptive one way, fast the other way, and gamers can be off to the races immediately after executing the maneuver.
Moving Behind The Backs
Under 6'5" | Kyrie Irving |
6'5" - 6'10" | Kyrie Irving |
6'10"+ | Normal |
Medium and shorter players will love the Kyrie Irving moves not just because they are quick, but because they will fake out defenders badly, showing off those fantastic playmaking badges in the process. The style goes hard one way and then is in position to sprint in the opposite direction. Big men are locked into only the base picks, of which the Normal behind-the-back move is the quickest to execute.
Moving Spins
Under 6'5" | Joel Embiid |
6'5" - 6'10" | Joel Embiid |
6'10"+ | Joel Embiid |
Again, Joel Embiid knows how to move around the ball. The trick with a moving spin is that the player will do a turn without moving the direction of the ball and, at the completion of that turn, choose whether to carry on straight, move left, or go right. Speed is critical as the move will only confuse defenders for a moment.
Moving Hesitations
Under 6'5" | Luka Doncic |
6'5" - 6'10" | Luka Doncic |
6'10"+ | Luka Doncic |
A hesitation is one of the few times ball handlers slow down to wreck an opponent's defense. By stopping, players reset the drive, freeing themselves to drive down a different lane or back off and show what an incredible shooting badge can do. Luka Doncic comes to a complete stop and leaves the door open for any choice after pulling off the hesitation.
Moving Stepbacks
Under 6'5" | Chris Paul |
6'5" - 6'10" | Chris Paul |
6'10"+ | Vince Carter |
Moving stepbacks are similar to hesitations in strategy, but instead of continuing forward, the idea is to retreat. That doesn't mean the player can't then go forward again, it just lures the defender into either overcompensating backward or failing to recognize the stepback happened, giving the ball handler a free shot.
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Chris Paul and Vince Carter are both strong choices. They execute the move quickly, so if there is only a brief window where the defender gets thrown off, they should be able to pull off a quick, perfect custom jumper in no time.
Triple Threat Styles
Under 6'5" | Devin Booker |
6'5" - 6'10" | Devin Booker |
6'10"+ | Devin Booker |
Those looking for the hilariously overpowered WNBA triple threats from last year are going to be disappointed momentarily, but don't give in to despair. Devin Booker is available for all heights and he has strong moves going left or right, really getting an advantage from his pivot.
Park Flashy Passes
Under 6'5" | Wizard |
6'5" - 6'10" | Wizard |
6'10"+ | Wizard |
The Wizard is fast, deceptive, and accurate, exactly what gamers need from a flashy move. Some players just use these to show off, but it actually is pretty misleading for opponents trying to contain a shift ball carrier.
NBA 2K23 is available now for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
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