NBA 2K23: Best Dribble Moves & Styles [Updated]

In our NBA 2K23 Dribbling Guide, we have included the best moves, signature styles, and playmaking badges for you!

In our guide about Dribbling in NBA 2K23, we will cover the importance of dribbling, the best signature styles for dribbling, and the best moves you can use during games. On top of all that, we will also brush over some of the much-needed playmaking badges in NBA 2K23 that will take your Dribbling stats to the next level in the NBA Championship.

Key Takeaways
  • Dribbling is crucial in NBA 2k23 for gaining an edge, allowing three-pointers and impressive dunks.
  • Choose your player’s style, then add the Best Dribble Signature Style in the My Player menu under Animation.
  • Key signature styles include Dribble Style, Signature Size-Up, Size-up Exchange Package, and more.
  • NBA 2k23 offers badges like Playmaking, Defense, Finishing, and Shooting to boost your player’s skills, including dribbling.

Best Dribble Signature Styles

In the in-game menu, move to the ‘MyPLAYER’ tab. Here, choose ‘Animations’; now, you can see three separate animation types. You only need to focus on the middle, which reads ‘Playmaking Moves’. It may not seem significant, but trust us, choosing the best Signature Styles will add more speed and dribble efficiency to your player.

However, it is worth noting that each option in signature styles has certain criteria. It will either require you to have a specific rating or height.

Here’s a quick look at the Best Dribble Moves and their requirements in NBA 2K23:

NameRequirements
Dribble Style- Speed: 75+
- Height: Under 6'10"
Signature Size Up- Ball Handling: 70+
- Height: Under 6'5"
Size Up Escape Package- Ball Handling: 80+
- Height: Under 6'10"
Moving Crossover- Ball Handling: 80+
- Height: Under 6'10"
Moving Behind The Back- Ball Handling: 75+
- Height: Under 6'10"
Moving Spin- Ball Handling: 75
Moving Hesitation- Ball Handling: 75+
Moving Step Back- Ball Handling: 70+
Triple Threat Style- None

Dribble Style

NBA 2K23 dribble style
Dribble Style Options

In our opinion, Michael Jordan is an easy pick for the Best Dribble Style in NBA 2K23. Inspired by the greatest player in Basketball history, your player will acquire a smooth speed boost alongside a swift ability to change the direction of your pace. The Michael Jordan Style has pretty straightforward requirements; your player needs to have 75+ speed with the ball and should be under 6’10”. 

If you’re playing point guard, you can also opt for the Damian Lillard or Kyrie Irving Dribble style for your player in NBA 2K23.

Signature Size-Up

nba 2k23 signature size-ups
Signature Size-Ups Options

The Signature Size-Up is our personal favorite dribble move in NBA 2K23, and it makes the player reel in opponents, ultimately opening up spaces for your teammates. On top of that, you can take the chance to unleash the speed boost and sprint past the opposing player in an instant.

For us, we think the Kyle Lowry style is the best-balanced option you can choose here. It has multiple variations of slides in its Signature Size-Up, which has a high potential of baiting the opposition. On top of that, the speed burst is also amazing on it; however, to equip this, you need to have a Ball Handling of more than 70 and be under 6’5″. 

Some other good options for Signature Size-Ups include Steve Francis and Trae Young

Size-Up Escape Package

nba 2k23 size up escape package
Size-Up Escape Package Options

Next up, we have the Size-Up Escape. It smoothly transitions from your Signature Size-Up, significantly improving your dribble combos. We recommend selecting the best dribble move for this style. For those who favor working in tight spaces and taking quick shots, explore all Size-Up Escape options to make the right choice.

Our top pick is the John Wall style, known for its smooth execution and effectiveness in completing dribble sets and juking opponents. Ensure your player has a ball handling rating over 80 (usually not a problem for point guards) and a height below 6’10”. You can also consider the Damian Lillard or Luka Doncic styles.

Moving Crossover

nba 2k23 moving crossover
Moving Crossover Options

The Moving Crossover Dribble skill is basically when a player dodges an incoming opponent. The player does it by switching the ball between both hands and changing the direction of their run. It is a quick maneuver to fool the opponent and can even draw fouls since it’s an unguardable move. 

The Moving Crossover can also be linked with the Signature Size-Up. Although, it’s something that players don’t use that commonly. Regardless of what your player build is, the LeMelo Ball crossover style will definitely suit you. It requires 80+ ball handling and a height under 6’10”.

However, if you control an elite point guard with over 92 ball handling, you should pick the Trae Young signature style in NBA 2K23.

Moving Behind The Back

nba 2k23 moving behind the back
Moving Behind The Back Options

Moving Behind the Back is similar to the Moving Crossover, involving looping the ball around the back to create space. It’s an effective move for faking out opponents, especially when paired with a jump shot. LeBron James‘ style represents aggression.

The best signature style for Moving Behind the Back, in our opinion, is Zach LaVine’s, suitable for various player builds with 75+ ball handling and height under 6’10”. For ball handling above 90, consider Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard styles, smoother but exclusive to Point Guards.

Moving Spin

nba 2k23 Moving spins
Moving Spins Options

The Moving Spin Dribble Move allows players to spin around the ball by keeping their backs facing the opponent. It’s a good skill to have when you’re trying to squeeze around a tight spot but must keep the ball guarded. 

However, in NBA 2K23, the move seems a bit glitchy to use; after testing out various styles, we could not figure out the best one. The only two styles that stood out for us were the Basic and Normal Moving Spins. However, for the Normal Moving Spin, you will need at least 75 ball handling. 

In my opinion, the Moving Crossover and Behind the Back is far superior to the Moving Spin. They allow greater speed boosts and are easier to execute.

Moving Hesitation

nba 2k23 moving hesitations
Moving Hesitations Options

The Moving Hesitation skill outperforms the Moving Spin in open-play sports, as fake hesitations can confound opponents, a useful tactic in NBA 2K23. This skill mimics player uncertainty when changing stances, is primarily used to delay opponents, and can be combined with a speed boost to escape tight spots.

In NBA 2K23, there are only two top Moving Hesitation styles. The Kyrie Irving style, the fastest, is ideal for skilled dribblers but requires a ball-handling rating of 90+. Alternatively, the Luka Doncic style, while not the fastest, is user-friendly and suitable for players with a ball-handling rating above 75.

Moving Stepback

nba 2k23 moving stepback
Moving Stepback Options

Moving Stepback is a great dribble move in NBA 2K23. What’s even more essential is the style you choose for it since some will give you that extra speed burst on the court. It doesn’t matter if you’re a point guard or a power guard; the Moving Stepback is an important move in your locker.

As for the best pick, we think that when it comes to the Best Moving Stepback in NBA 2K23, nothing beats the Stephen Curry animation. However, since it requires 90+ ball handling, we know it’s hard to get. Therefore, you can also go for the Giannis Antetokounmpo or John Wall animation style. These two only require 70+ ball handling and are much easier to get.

Triple Threat Style

nba 2k23 triple threat styles
Triple Threat Style Options

The Triple Threat Style is not really a dribble move, but since it’s included in the Playmaking moves, we decided to cover it up as well. Triple Threat Style is actually a standing stance that works as a transition for a player to do either one of the following: Dribble, Pass or Shoot

As it is a transition move, you will hardly notice it during your games, especially if you like to move the play fast. Yet, you still should know about the skill move to utilize it in certain situations when pulling out some dribbles. 

We think going simple on this one is the best choice. You can roll with the Normal style with ease. You don’t need to pick anything flashy for the Triple Threat Style since it is just a standing stance. The Normal option in Triple Threat Style has no requirements, so no matter what position you’re playing, there are no restrictions to running it.

And that’s a wrap! Finally, we end our extensive guide about the Best NBA 2K23 Dribble Moves. Our guide would’ve helped you understand the importance of dribbling on the court.

After reading our article, you should be more than pumped to hit the court and unleash your true baller skills by taking on the NBA Season! We hope you enjoyed reading through the guide. Stick around at eXputer to learn more cool stuff about NBA 2K23!

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Moiz Banoori is the brains behind eXputer. Having worked at various Video Game sites, with 8 years of Content Writing Experience and a Journalism Degree at hand, he presently monitors teams, creates strategies, and publishes qualified pieces through his aptitude at eXputer. Feel free to get in touch with him through his gaming profile on Steam and PSN.

Experience: 8+ Years || Manages Teams, Creates Strategies, and Publishes Guides on eXputer || Education: Bachelors in Journalism.

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