NBA 2K23 How to Shoot

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NBA 2K24 How to Shoot Guide

NBA 2K23 Best Shooting Guide: How to Shoot

How to shoot with Steph Curry

In this extensive NBA 2K23 shooting guide, we'll be covering everything from how to shoot to Shot Timing, Letter Grades in the Custom Jumpshot Creator, and just general shooting tips that can help improve your game instantly.

Best Jump Shot for your MyPLAYER Build

NBA 2K23 Best Custom Jumper Creator

The first and most important thing when it comes to shooting better is selecting the right jump shot for your MyPlayer Build in the Custom Jump Shot Creator. The Base of your custom jump shot is one of the most important factors when it comes to greening more shots. The higher your 3pt and mid range ratings are, the more jump shot bases and releases you'll have access too. You can completely customize your shot in the Custom Jump Shot Creator so let's dive into some of the basics.

First let's explain the Shot Attributes:

  • The Release Height represents how high the ball is before it is released from your hand when shooting. This can be impacted by both your base and upper releases. A higher release height can help with reducing contest %.
  • The Release Speed of a jump shot is another important factor when it comes to jumpshot success. We recommend using quicker shots to help reduce shot contests from defenders closing out.
  • The Defensive Immunity attribute can help impact your make % when trying to take and make contested shots. A pure sharpshooter who tends to shoot in tight windows may want to consider this when making a custom jump shot.
  • The Timing Impact grade works similar to the “Sniper” Badge in NBA 2K22 where it can help to increase your make % with good timing at the expense of reduced make % for bad timing. While it sounds good, we rank it last on our priority tier list.

NBA 2K23 Custom Jumper Letter Grades:

Here's how you should prioritize your grades:

  • Release Speed
  • Release Height
  • Defensive Immunity
  • Timing Impact

Helpful tips when creating your own jump shot:

  • To access the Jumpshot Creator, once you've selected your MyPlayer from the MyCareer Home Screen, press start and find the MyPLAYER tab at the top > Then select Animations > then tab over to the Jump Shot Creator.
  • The Letter Grades in the jump shot creator aren't always as accurate as they may seem. An A+ speed on one jump shot base can be a different speed than an A+ on a different shot base.
  • Different Lower Bases each have their own unique make percentages and green windows so it's important to find one that performs well. We have these exact stats and much more available to Premium Members of NBA2KLab.
  • Some Popular Upper Releases include Rudy Gay, Oscar Robertson and Steph Curry.
  • We recommend finding a release with a Good Shot Cue to have the best chance to correctly time your jump shot consistently.
  • Different build heights offer different release speeds with smaller players having access to the quickest release speeds.
  • Builds that are:
    • 6'4" and under have access to 5 release speeds - Includes the 'Very Quick' option which offers the largest increase for the fastest jump shot speed.
    • 6'5", 6'6", 6'7", 6'8" and 6'9" have access to 4 release speeds.
    • 6'10", 6'11", 7', 7'1", 7'2", and 7'3"have access to 3 release speeds.
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The Best Shooting Badges in 2k23 & 2k Core Badge Loadouts

The next most important thing when it comes to becoming a better shooter is choosing the right shooting badges for your play style. Whether you like to fade or shoot limitless range 3's, 2K has badges designed to help all the different shooting play styles. There are 16 shooting badges total and some badges can even be stacked to provide an even better boost. You can check out our full list of badges and specific badge tests here.

NBA 2K23 has added the new “Core Badge” feature in which you can equip a badge for free for no badge points after completing specific challenges related to the badge. Players who have reached level 40 in season 3 have access to more badge loadouts which include a double shooting core offering 2 free shooting badges at no expense, as long as you have the badge “Cored.”

Best Shooting Badges For:

  • Sharp Shooters
    • Catch & Shoot - Best Badge for Spotting Up
    • Green Machine - Makes greening jump shots easier after consecutive green releases.
    • Claymore - Grants a shot boost for remaining stationary for at least 2 seconds before the catch.
    • Limitless Range - One of the best shooting badges but only if you have the rating to supplement it.
  • Playmaking Shot Creators
    • Agent 3 - Grants a shot boost for stop and pop shots, dribble pull ups and even shooting after dribble moves. One of the best shooting badges.
    • Space Creator - Step back shots usually taken with the right stick get a boost.
    • Middy Magician - Grants a boost on mid range fades or dribble pull ups.
  • Reducing Contests
    • Blinders - Reduced effective contest % from peripheral defenders.
    • Deadeye - Reduced effective contest % from defenders closing out on an “open” shooter.
  • Bronze Badges
    • Amped - Increases make % when your MyPlayer is low on stamina.
    • Clutch Shooter - Shots taken late in the 4th Quarter or Overtime get a boost. Works better in the Park where it may activate more often.

Unlocking Hot Zones and Avoiding Cold Zones

Hot Zones and Cold zones are pretty straight forward in 2k23. Shooting above a certain percentage in a designated zone will grant you a hot zone, while shooting below a certain percentage will give you a cold zone. The closer to the basket that you are the higher the percentage that you need to shoot is to obtain a hot zone. If You're learning how to shoot you don't need to focus on these in mycareer as they will come easily as you play park, just avoid getting cold zones.

To get Hot Zones around the 3 point line in 2k23 you need to shoot at least 40% for 25 straight games in that zone. There are 5 separate 3 point zones around the perimeter.

Mid Range Hot Zones in 2k23 can be achieved by shooting 50% or higher in a midrange zone. There are 5 mid range zones in 2k23.

The Close Shot Hot Zones are important for Post Scorers. To unlock them you will need to shoot 55% or higher from close shot.

Finally, If you re looking to get more posters having your hot zone under the basket is important. Make 60% of your attempts under the basket to unlock it.

Eliminating Cold Zones

If you have a Cold Zone in 2k23 and you want to remove it you need to increase your shooting percentage in that zone over the last 25 games. If you have a cold zone in an area only take open shots and take less shots in that zone in general and it will go away.

2k23 Best Settings for Shot Meter & Best Shot Timing / Best Shot Release

NBA 2K23 Best Shooting Settings

Under your Controller Settings, there's a few settings that can help you become a better shooter and green more shots. You can fine-tune the aesthetics and release time of your jump shot to find what's most comfortable for you.

Shot Meter

Under controller settings, you can actually opt to turn your Shot Meter Off to gain roughly a 5% boost to your shooting. Some people prefer to have the meter on and it all comes down to preference, but typically players at the higher level will not use the shot meter to get that extra boost.

There is also a Free Throws Only setting which will still grant you the shooting boost, but provides a visible shot meter ONLY during free throws which can help some players.

Another setting is Pro Stick Only which can come in handy for shot creators who like to take step back shots with the right stick. This allows them to still get the shooting boost when taking jump shots with the X or Square button.

Lastly there is a Shot Button Only which is essentially the opposite of Pro Stick Only.

Shot Timing

The most popular option would be Shots Only where your timing will only affect jump shots. We recommend this setting for most players.

Some players may opt for Shots and Layups where you’ll have to be sure to time your layups correctly as well as your jump shot.

An unpopular setting and mostly frowned upon is the Real Player % where the game essentially times the jumpshot for you, and all you have to do is press the shoot button.

Shot Timing Release Time

One of the newest features in NBA 2K23 allows you to choose the preferred release timing of your jumpshot. Not be confused with release speed in the jump shot creator.

The options include Very Early, Early, Late and Very Late.

The jumpshot will visually look and release the same with each setting, but the actual timing of the jumpshot may start earlier or later depending on which setting you have selected.

This is all preference and there is no in-game advantage to the different timings so experiment and find one that works well for you.

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Improving your Shot IQ for Better Shot Selection in 2k23

A great jump shooter always knows where and when to take the shot. Reading defensive tendencies and knowing if you have enough space to get a shot off is what makes a good shooter a great one. Here's some shooting tips and tricks to help improve your shot selection.

  • Making sure your Shot Feedback is On is an important tool to see if your shot was a good or a bad one so you can adjust accordingly.
  • When your stamina is below 50%, your make percentage AND shot speed is slowed down drastically. Your stamina bar will start to blink yellow and this is where the Amped badge starts to take effect.
  • As you gain more takeover, your attributes will increase depending on your Primary and Secondary Takeover. Having 2 shooting takeovers equipped will increase your shooting attributes dramatically when gaining takeover.
  • On the flip side, missing too many shots will cause you to go cold which will lower your ratings which in turn, reduces your make %.
  • The Limitless Range Takeover gives you the ability to green shots with ease while shooting from extremely deep range which may catch defenders off guard. If you know your jumpshot, don't hesitate to test your limits if the defense sags off.
  • Lightly contested shots aren't always bad shots. If you notice a defender with low perimeter defense is on you, it's possible to shoot over them with minimal impact. If your defender is short and does not have Challenger equipped, their contests will not be as effective.
  • Be aware of the different catches you may get when receiving a catch and shoot opportunity. The timing of your shot may depend on it.
  • Being contested when taking a jump shot speeds up your shot timing by roughly 20ms depending on the shot, and that includes 'open' contests as well. Be ready to adjust your timing accordingly.
  • Always be aware of your defender and observe tendencies to take advantage of them later on.
NBA 2K24 Best Jump Shot

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Utilize Skill Boosts & 2K Gatorade Boosts

NBA 2K23 What do Gatorade Boosts Do?

Boosts are available to purchase with VC which can significantly help improve your play in all areas of the virtual hardwood. 2K offers two different unique sets of boosts with Gatorade and Skill Boosts, let's talk about them quickly.

Skill Boosts

There are 6 different skill boosts which include Jump Shots, Layups/Dunks, Steals, Blocks, Rebounding and Ball Handling/Passing.

Jump shot skill boosts can provide a noticeable difference in your make % and we recommend always having some for the best chance to make a jump shot.

Gatorade Boosts

In NBA 2K23, stamina plays an important role when it comes to your MyPlayer's overall effectiveness.

There are 3 different Gatorade boosts which all have to do with improving and managing your MyPlayer's stamina.

Having at least 1 of each Gatorade boost will add 1 extra blue bar to your overall stamina bar giving you a total of 2 extra blue bars if you completed your Gatorade Workouts.

Here is What Each Gatorade Boost Category does in 2k23
  • Gatorade Super Shake: Slow down energy (Turbo RT) loss by 25%.
  • Gatorade Zero With Protein: Recover energy (Turbo RT) 25% faster than normal.
  • Gatorade Thirst Quencher: Increase energy (Turbo RT) by 20%.

2k23 Spacing, Spotting Up and Shot Creation

Getting buckets can come in a variety of different ways when it comes to shooting and with 5 people on the court at once, it's always important to space the floor to allow the ball handler to make clean and easy reads. Spacing in NBA 2K23 is one of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to you and your offense's success.

Space & Spotting Up in 2k23
  • Find your spot and try not to move as much so your defender can't get an opportunity to help on defense.
  • Spacing the floor allows your ball handler to drive and kick, usually leading to an easy open shot or a scrambling defense.
  • Be sure to make your defender pay when they sag off. Hitting an open 3 may have them thinking differently next they try to play help D.
  • Observe your Point Guards tendencies so you know when to cut if they get in trouble, or just to make yourself available in general. Don't forget to be aware of your teammates as well.
  • Coordinated Backdoor Cuts can be extremely effective in keeping the defense honest, possibly opening up an easy shot later in the game.
Shot Creation
  • Utilize different playmaking moves and combo them up to catch your defense off balance. An example would be catching the ball with no dribble, triple threat jab into a spin and then step back with the right stick (shot stick) for one fluid motion that is sure to get the defense leaning.
  • Learning to “fade” and shooting dribble pull ups is one of the most effective ways to create your own shot. With an 85 3 PT rating or higher, I would consider practicing it and adding it to your repertoire.
  • Utilizing your Size-Up Escape Package is another great way to create your own shot and activate the Agent 3 badge. The Kevin Durant and LeBron Size-Up Escape Packages offer a killer step back move which you can do simply by holding turbo and flicking the right stick down. You can either choose to shoot off the space you create or speed boost for the rim run.
  • Practice Shot Creation with the Shot Stick and Equip the Space Creator Badge. The boost from this badge is very significant and learning these shots is a great way to mix up your offensive game.
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