Best NBA 2K23 dribble moves & skill controls: Ankle breakers guide

❘ Updated: 2023-11-27T08:30:00

In NBA 2K23 you can create some fantastic dribbling combos as long as you know how to pull off the skills. Here are all the best dribble moves in the game and the controls you need to know in order to execute them on the court.

If you’re a newcomer to the NBA 2K franchise, it can be difficult to master the art of dribbling especially when you’re using it to swiftly get around the opposing team’s defense. There are a lot of great dribble moves that can be used in NBA 2K23 but you’ll need to get to grips with the right controls before you can you them during a match.

Skill moves in the game were improved for NBA 2K23 which means the majority of players on the basketball court can make a solid defense crumble. Before you can execute these sleek moves, however, you’ll want to know which skills are best to use and exactly how to pull them off.

With that in mind, here are the best dribbling moves in NBA 2K23.

Best NBA 2K23 dribbling moves

Want to dribble like Michael Jordan in his prime? Here’s a few of the simplest, and most effective, dribble moves you can use in 2K23.

Before we dive into the entire list of dribbling controls for NBA 2K23, there are a few dribbling moves you need to know about.

Hard Stop / Stutter

This is a deadly weapon in the right hands, using LT / L2 to stutter and faint one way while dribbling directly towards defenders, or to hit the breaks near the three-point line.

Behind the Back Escape

Behind the back dribbling is more powerful than ever in NBA 2K23. Just use RT / R2 and move the right stick down left, then quickly release while standing dribbling with the right hand – meaning you can push out of a behind dribble really fast.

Forward Lunge

This new move is the perfect starting move for a combo. All you have to do Hold RT / R2, flick up on the right stick, and your player will lunge forward but can be pulled out of the move in various directions, setting up a three-pointer or a drive past a defender.

Hesitation Escape

Some hesitation escapes, such as Zach LaVine’s, can bring together two different animations to make for a deadly offensive play – a speed boost and a hop. You hold R2 / RT, run to the side, flick down on the right stick or flick diagonally down to the side you are running in.

NBA 2K23 dribbling controls

There are a number of other things you will need to know, in order to create a build capable of making such moves possible. Below, we’re going to run through dribble styles, signature size-ups, and signature size-up escapes – all of which can give you an edge in MyCareer.

Perfecting dribbles and combos will make getting to the basket so much easier.

NBA 2K23 dribble style guide

What is it?

The dribbing style you select will influence speed boost and how quickly your player flicks in and out of skill moves. Moving the ball fast in these situations will be a dream for your combo attempts, so choose wisely.

Best NBA 2K23 dribbling style to use

The best dribbling styles in NBA 2K23 are the following:

Michael Jordan
Steph Curry
Kyrie Irving
LeBron James

NBA 2K23 signature size-up guide

What is it?

The signature size-up feature allows your player to activate a speed boost when coming out of a standing stance. So, if you want to burst away from the defender with ease, selecting the best one will be crucial.

Best NBA 2K23 signature size-ups to use

The best signature size-ups are the following:

Kyle Lowry
Trae Young
Steve Francis
Kobe Bryant

NBA 2K23 size-up escape package guide

What is it?

The size-up escape package defines the way you transition out of the signature size-up. By choosing the right one for your build, it will make combo dribbling (especially advanced combos) a lot easier.

Best NBA 2K23 size-up escape to use

The best size-up escapes to use are the following:

John Wall
Luka Doncic
Kyrie Irving
Damian Lillard
Paul George

That’s everything you need to know about dribble moves in NBA 2K23! For more content on the game, check out our guides below:

Move	PS4 & PS5	Xbox One / Series X\|S
Signature Size-up	Quickly move and release RS in various directions and speeds to perform special signature size-up combo moves	Quickly move and release RS in various directions and speeds to perform special signature size-up combo moves
In and Out	Move RS up right then quickly release when dribbling with the right hand	Move RS up right then quickly release when dribbling with the right hand
Hesitation	Move the RS right then quickly release when dribbling with right hand	Move the RS right then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Hesitation Escape	R2+ move & hold RS right when dribbling with right hand	RT + Move & hold RS right when dribbling with right hand
Crossover	Move RS up then quickly release	Move RS up then quickly release
Attacking Crossover	R2 + move RS up or up left then quickly release when dribbling with the right hand	RT + move RS up or up left then quickly release when dribbling with the right hand
Between Legs Cross	Move RS left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand	Move RS left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Escape Crossover	R2 + move RS left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand	RT + move RS left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Behind the Back	Move RS down left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand	Move RS down left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Behind the Back Escape	R2 + move RS down left then quickly release while stand dribbling in right hand	RT + move RS down left then quickly release while stand dribbling in right hand
Stepback	Move RS down then quickly release	Move RS down then quickly release
Stepback Escape	R2 + move RS down then quickly release	RT + move RS down then quickly release
Spin	Rotate the RS clockwise then quickly & release when dribbling with right hand	Rotate the RS clockwise then quickly & release when dribbling with right hand
Half Spin	Rotate RS in a quarter-circle from right to up then quickly release when dribbling with right hand	Rotate RS in a quarter-circle from right to up then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Hard Stop / Stutter	Tap L2 while driving for a quick change of speed	Tap LT while driving for a quick change of speed
Hold Off Defenders	Hold L2	Hold LT
Triple Threat Side Jab	Move RS right then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)	Move RS right then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)
Triple Threat Large Jab	Move RS up right then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)	Move RS up right then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)
Triple Threat Small Jab	Move RS up right (with left pivot foot established)	Move RS up right (with left pivot foot established)
Triple Threat Mid_Stepover	Move RS up then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)	Move RS up then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)
Triple Threat Full-Stepover	Move RS up left then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)	Move RS up left then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)
Triple Threat Back-to-Basket Stepover	Move RS left then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)	Move RS left then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)
Triple Threat Pump Fake	Move RS down then quickly release	Move RS down then quickly release
Triple Threat Side Hesitation	R2 + move RS left or right then quickly release	RT + move RS left or right then quickly release
Triple Threat Attack Hesitation	R2 + move RS up left or up right then quickly release	RT + move RS up left or up right then quickly release
Triple Threat Stepback	R2 + move RS down then quickly release	RT + move RS down then quickly release
Triple Threat Spin-Out	Rotate RS clockwise then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)	Rotate RS clockwise then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)
Triple Threat Cross Spin-Out	Rotate RS counter-clockwise then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)	Rotate RS counter-clockwise then quickly release (with left pivot foot established)