Introduction
Welcome, NBA 2K23 enthusiasts and basketball aficionados, to the most comprehensive guide on finishing badges you‘ll ever lay your eyes on! As a tech geek and social expert with a passion for all things NBA 2K, I‘ve done the research, crunched the numbers, and consulted with the best minds in the business to bring you this in-depth analysis of the top finishing badges in NBA 2K23.
Whether you‘re a seasoned veteran or a rookie just starting out, this guide will provide you with all the knowledge and tools you need to take your finishing game to the next level. So, lace up your virtual sneakers, and let‘s dive in!
The Evolution of Finishing Badges
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of each badge, let‘s take a moment to appreciate how far finishing badges have come in the NBA 2K series. From the early days of NBA 2K11, where finishing badges were a mere afterthought, to the current iteration of NBA 2K23, where they can make or break your player‘s ability to dominate the paint, the evolution of finishing badges has been nothing short of remarkable.
As you can see from the chart above, the number of finishing badges has steadily increased over the years, with NBA 2K23 boasting an impressive 17 badges for players to choose from. But quantity doesn‘t always equal quality, which is why we‘re here to separate the wheat from the chaff and highlight the cream of the crop.
The Finishing Badge Tier List
After countless hours of research, testing, and analysis, we‘ve compiled the definitive tier list of the best finishing badges in NBA 2K23. Here‘s how they stack up:
Tier 1: The MVP‘s of Finishing
Fearless Finisher: This badge is the LeBron James of finishing – it‘s a game-changer. Fearless Finisher significantly reduces the impact of contact when attempting layups, allowing you to finish through traffic like a hot knife through butter. When paired with the Pro Touch badge, you‘ll be converting tough layups at a rate that will make your opponents question their life choices.
Posterizer: If Fearless Finisher is LeBron, then Posterizer is the Vince Carter of finishing badges. This badge increases the likelihood of throwing down rim-shattering dunks, even in the face of sturdy defense. Equip Posterizer, and you‘ll be putting defenders on posters left and right, leaving a trail of broken ankles and shattered dreams in your wake.
Slithery Finisher: Imagine Kyrie Irving‘s handles, but in badge form. That‘s Slithery Finisher. This badge, new to NBA 2K23, improves your ability to avoid contact and finish acrobatic layups by slipping past defenders. It‘s the perfect badge for smaller guards who rely on crafty moves and finesse to get buckets in the paint.
Tier 2: The All-Stars of Finishing
Acrobat: If you‘re a fan of Jamal Crawford‘s off-balance circus shots, then Acrobat is the badge for you. It increases the effectiveness of double-clutch layups, euro-steps, and other fancy finish moves. While not as game-breaking as the Tier 1 badges, Acrobat can still be a valuable asset for players who love to get creative around the rim.
Pro Touch: Remember how we said Pro Touch pairs perfectly with Fearless Finisher? Well, that‘s because Pro Touch gives you an extra shot boost for having excellent timing on your layups. If you‘ve got a good sense of rhythm and can nail the release window consistently, Pro Touch will help you convert even the most challenging layups with ease.
Putback Boss: Offensive rebounds are the unsung heroes of basketball, and Putback Boss is here to give them the recognition they deserve. This badge improves your ability to score off putbacks and tip-ins, turning you into a menace on the offensive glass. Combine Putback Boss with a high offensive rebound rating, and you‘ll be feasting on second-chance points like it‘s an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Tier 3: The Role Players of Finishing
Lob City Finisher: If you‘ve got a point guard with the vision of Chris Paul and the passing prowess of Magic Johnson, then Lob City Finisher is a must-have badge. It increases the likelihood of completing alley-oop dunks and layups, turning you into the Blake Griffin to your teammate‘s CP3.
Relentless Finisher: Tired of losing stamina after absorbing contact on layups? Relentless Finisher is here to save the day. This badge reduces the amount of energy lost from contact layups, allowing you to maintain your endurance throughout the game. It‘s the perfect badge for players who love to attack the basket with reckless abandon.
Backdown Punisher: For the big men out there who love to bully their way to the basket, Backdown Punisher is your badge. It enhances your ability to overpower defenders in the post, creating space for easy layups and dunks. Pair Backdown Punisher with a high strength rating, and you‘ll be tossing defenders around like ragdolls.
Dream Shake: Named after the legendary post moves of Hakeem Olajuwon, Dream Shake improves a player‘s ability to fool defenders with crafty fakes and spins. If you‘ve got a versatile post game and love to leave defenders in the dust with your footwork, then Dream Shake is the badge for you.
Badge Combinations and Synergies
Now that we‘ve covered the best individual finishing badges, let‘s talk about how they can be combined to create unstoppable finishing builds. Here are a few popular badge combinations used by top players in the NBA 2K community:
The Contact Finisher
- Fearless Finisher (Hall of Fame)
- Posterizer (Hall of Fame)
- Slithery Finisher (Gold)
- Relentless Finisher (Gold)
This build is all about powering through contact and finishing strong at the rim. With Fearless Finisher and Posterizer at the Hall of Fame level, you‘ll be dunking on defenders like it‘s going out of style. Slithery Finisher and Relentless Finisher provide additional support, allowing you to avoid contact and maintain your stamina throughout the game.
The Acrobatic Finisher
- Acrobat (Hall of Fame)
- Pro Touch (Hall of Fame)
- Slithery Finisher (Gold)
- Lob City Finisher (Silver)
If you‘re a guard who loves to get creative with your finishes, then this is the build for you. With Acrobat and Pro Touch at the Hall of Fame level, you‘ll be converting off-balance layups and pull-up jumpers with ease. Slithery Finisher helps you avoid contact, while Lob City Finisher allows you to finish alley-oops with style.
The Post Scorer
- Backdown Punisher (Hall of Fame)
- Dream Shake (Hall of Fame)
- Pro Touch (Gold)
- Putback Boss (Silver)
For the big men out there who love to dominate the paint, this build is a dream come true. With Backdown Punisher and Dream Shake at the Hall of Fame level, you‘ll be bullying defenders and scoring at will in the post. Pro Touch helps you convert tough layups, while Putback Boss allows you to clean up any misses with authority.
The Importance of Attributes
While finishing badges are undoubtedly important, they don‘t exist in a vacuum. To truly maximize your finishing potential, you need to have the right attributes to complement your badges. Here are the key attributes to focus on when building a dominant finisher:
Driving Layup: This attribute determines your ability to convert layups off the dribble. A high driving layup rating is essential for any player looking to score consistently in the paint.
Driving Dunk: If you want to posterize defenders and throw down highlight-reel dunks, then you need a high driving dunk rating. Aim for at least an 80 driving dunk rating to unlock the best dunk animations.
Standing Dunk: For big men who love to finish strong under the basket, a high standing dunk rating is a must. It determines your ability to convert dunks off of lobs, putbacks, and post moves.
Post Control: If you‘re a post scorer, then you need a high post control rating to complement badges like Backdown Punisher and Dream Shake. It determines your ability to pull off advanced post moves and score efficiently in the paint.
Real-World Inspiration
Looking for some real-world players to model your finishing game after? Here are a few NBA stars whose finishing abilities are the stuff of legend:
Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Greek Freak is a posterizing machine, using his incredible length and athleticism to finish over, around, and through defenders. If you want to dominate the paint like Giannis, focus on badges like Posterizer, Fearless Finisher, and Slithery Finisher.
Kyrie Irving: Known for his unparalleled handles and creative finishing ability, Kyrie is the king of the acrobatic layup. If you want to emulate his style, focus on badges like Acrobat, Pro Touch, and Slithery Finisher, and master the art of the off-balance finish.
Joel Embiid: The MVP candidate is a force to be reckoned with in the post, using his strength and footwork to bully defenders and score at will. If you want to dominate the paint like Embiid, focus on badges like Backdown Punisher, Dream Shake, and Pro Touch, and work on your post moves.
Earning and Upgrading Finishing Badges
Now that you know which finishing badges to prioritize, let‘s talk about how to earn and upgrade them quickly. Here are a few tips to help you max out your badges in no time:
Focus on finishing drills in practice: Finishing drills are the quickest way to earn badge points, so make sure to prioritize them in your practice sessions. Aim for at least 3 stars in each drill to maximize your badge progress.
Play to your strengths in games: If you‘re a slasher, focus on attacking the basket and drawing contact. If you‘re a post scorer, work on your post moves and back down your defender. The more you play to your strengths, the faster you‘ll earn badge points.
Use the right animations: Equipping the right dunk and layup animations can make a huge difference in your ability to finish at the rim. Experiment with different animations and find the ones that work best for your playstyle.
Take advantage of double XP events: Keep an eye out for double XP events in NBA 2K23, as they can help you earn badge points twice as fast. Make sure to take full advantage of these events when they come around.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks – the ultimate guide to NBA 2K23‘s best finishing badges. By prioritizing the right badges, combining them in effective ways, and focusing on the key attributes that complement them, you‘ll be well on your way to becoming a finishing force in NBA 2K23.
But remember, mastering the art of finishing takes time and practice. Don‘t get discouraged if you don‘t see immediate results – keep grinding, keep experimenting with different badge combinations and animations, and most importantly, keep having fun.
As a wise man once said, "The game is never over until the final buzzer sounds." So get out there, unleash your inner finishing beast, and show the world what you‘re made of.
Happy dunking, my friends!
