NBA 2K23 is here as another annual installment in the long-running franchise. The shooting mechanics are pretty much the same as last year except for a few new additions and tweaks.
The following guide will run down all you need to know about shooting the basketball in NBA 2K23. These tips will prove important for newcomers as well as returning players.
How to shoot like a pro in NBA 2K23
The basics
For the most part, the basics of shooting are still the same as the previous year. You can still shoot jumpers, layups, and dunks by simply holding the shot button or the pro stick. But this year taking risky shots from deep will contribute much more to your success.
The shot meter
The shot meter is back. When starting a jumper, you will see the shot meter fill up. The box inside the meter is the “make window”. You will have to release the shot button or the pro stick when the meter is inside the make window to make the shot.
The closer you are to the center of the make window (indicated by the small has mark), the greater your chances of successfully knocking down the shot.
In summary, the shot meter is divided into two distinct colors: White and Green. You can easily identify the Make Window inside the Shot Meter by its green color.
The size of make window
The make window will expand or shrink depending on your player rating, badges, energy level, and defensive coverage. Taking open shots with high-rated players will be much easier to hit.
Once you get enough practice, try turning the shot meter off. If you can still get the shoots off with no meter, you will get a sizable boost to your shooting percentages.
Badges
Badges are a very important perk and have the power to boost virtually any attribute to improve skills. Much like so, there are some badges in NBA 2K23 that can help you get better at shooting.
Below is the list of badges that can help you shoot like a pro:
- Limitless Range
- Claymore
- Catch and Shoot
- Deadeye
- Amped
- Volume Shooter
The finishers
Now, if you prefer finishers over jumpers, we got you covered too! Hold the shot button or move and the pro stick in any direction while approaching the basket in close or mid-range. You will perform a finisher.
The dunks
For a dunk, perform the same input as a finisher but keep the sprint trigger held when you attempt the shot. If your player ratings are high enough and you have an open lane, you will perform a dunk.
That is something that goes hand in hand with your overall dunk build in NBA 2K23.
The shot timing release setting
This year we got a brand-new shooting setting located in the controller setting that can be accessed via your menu and it’s called “Shot Timing Release Time”.
It can be set to Very Late, Late, Early, and Very Early. It allows you to set your preferred time to release the button during the shot to green it.
The key takeaway here is that the shot animation is the same, but the shot meter fills up late if you have this setting as “Late”. The meter fills at a different time but the shot is released at the same time.
