NBA 2K23 Badges: Best Badges for a 2-Way Scoring Machine

Being a 2-way scoring machine in today’s NBA 2K23 is better than just pure scoring and shooting. Not all players who give instant offense become legends in the game despite sure-fire scoring.

You need defense as well in your arsenal, as you help your team rack up points. Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday are examples of this archetype.

Since their play styles helped bring their team deep into the playoffs and into the NBA finals in the real NBA, it’s time you take a cue out of their archetype and take yours too in MyCareer with the best badges for a 2-way scoring machine.

What are the best finishing badges for a 2-Way Scoring Machine in NBA 2K23? 

Fast Twitch

Badge Requirements: Close Shot 67 (Bronze), 75 Silver, 85 (Gold), 96 (Hall of fame) OR Standing Dunk 70 (Bronze), 87 Silver, 94 (Gold), 99 (Hall of fame)

The Fast Twitch badge is a Tier 2 badge that will help with not getting blocked in a split of a second. It speeds up your standing layup or dunk around the rim, which you will need when cutting to the basket.

Fearless Finisher

Badge Requirements: Driving Layup 67 (Bronze), 77 Silver, 87 (Gold), 96 (Hall of fame) OR Close Shot 65 (Bronze), 75 Silver, 84 (Gold), 93 (Hall of fame)

The Fearless Finisher is one of the most important badges, though scoring machines rely more on shooting. This Tier 2 badge improves the ability to convert contact layups when driving to the basket.

Acrobat

Badge Requirements: Driving Layup 69 (Bronze), 79 Silver, 89 (Gold), 99 (Hall of fame) OR Driving Dunk 70 (Bronze), 84 Silver, 92 (Gold), 98 (Hall of fame)

The Acrobat badge is also placed at Tier 2 as it helps boost difficult layup attempts. Driving to the basket is your second option and this badge will surely make sure to convert better on drives.

Pro Touch

Badge Requirements: Close Shot  49 (Bronze), 55 Silver, 69 (Gold), 80 (Hall of fame) OR Driving Layup  45 (Bronze), 55 Silver, 67 (Gold), 78 (Hall of fame)

Speaking of drives, the Pro Touch badge is another Tier 2 badge that will give you an additional boost when your layup timing is good. Rarely will you encounter early or late releases here, so, it’s best to make sure while equipping this badge

Limitless Takeoff

Badge Requirements: Driving Dunk  65 (Bronze), 79 Silver, 86 (Gold), 96 (Hall of fame)

The Limitless Takeoff badge is at Tier 3 for a 2-way scoring machine as it helps boost your chances when driving to the basket. Having a farther take-off range from this badge will help give you a head start over post defenders.

Posterizer

Badge Requirements: Driving Dunk  72 (Bronze), 85 Silver, 93 (Gold), 99 (Hall of fame)

The Posterizer badge is another Tier 3 badge that will also be of use as it improves the likelihood of dunking over your opponent. It’s best paired once you’ve equipped the Limitless Takeoff badge for better results.

Slithery

Badge Requirements: Driving Layup 69 (Bronze), 79 Silver, 89 (Gold), 99 (Hall of fame) OR Driving Dunk 70 (Bronze), 84 Silver, 92 (Gold), 98 (Hall of fame)

Secure a smoother finish with the Slithery badge. This makes it easier for a 2-way scoring machine to gather through traffic, avoiding collisions and strips.

What are the best shooting badges for a 2-Way Scoring Machine in NBA 2K23? 

Middy Magician

Badge Requirements: Mid Range shot  50 (Bronze), 64 Silver, 73 (Gold), 81 (Hall of fame)

The Middy Magician badge is a Tier 1 badge for a 2-way scoring machine because it’s simply a high-percentage shot badge which improves ability to knock down mid-range jumpers off the dribble or in the post.

Volume Shooter

Badge Requirements: Mid Range Shot 55 (Bronze), 69 Silver, 77 (Gold), 86 (Hall of fame) OR Three-Point Shot 60 (Bronze), 73 Silver, 83 (Gold), 90 (Hall of fame)

Another Tier 1 badge that defines a 2-way scoring machine is the Volume Shooter. It boosts shot percentages as your shot attempts accrue throughout the game. It will help a lot when you’re starting to catch heat in the mid-range area.

Guard Up

Badge Requirements: Mid Range Shot 55 (Bronze), 69 Silver, 77 (Gold), 86 (Hall of fame) OR Three-Point Shot 60 (Bronze), 73 Silver, 83 (Gold), 90 (Hall of fame)

The Guard Up badge will give you a better chance of making jumpers as it increases the ability to make convert jump shots when defenders fail to properly contest. This Tier 1 badge will benefit those who aren’t good at shot timing.

Amped

Badge Requirements: Mid-Range Shot 59 (Bronze), 70 Silver, 78 (Gold), 85 (Hall of fame) OR Three Point Shot 70 (Bronze), 75 Silver, 82 (Gold), 90 (Hall of fame)

The Amped badge is a Tier 1-2 badge which reduces the shooting attribute penalties when fatigued. It will help you make shots even after putting in a sequence of dribbles just to get past your opponent.

Corner Specialist

Badge Requirements: Three-Point Shot 60 (Bronze), 69 Silver, 79 (Gold), 89 (Hall of fame)

Corner threes are ironically the easiest when it comes to NBA 2K. The Corner Specialist badge is a Tier 1-2 badge which boosts shots taken in the corner of the three-point line.

Catch & Shoot

Badge Requirements: Three-Point Shot 60 (Bronze), 72 Silver, 81 (Gold), 93 (Hall of fame)

The Catch & Shoot is a Tier 2 badge designed for floppy plays. Scoring machines thrive off open shots off a pass and this badge boosts the chance of hitting a jump shot immediately after receiving a pass.

Space Creator

Badge Requirements: Mid Range Shot 52 (Bronze), 64 Silver, 73 (Gold), 80 (Hall of fame) OR Three-Point Shot 53 (Bronze), 65 Silver, 74 (Gold), 83 (Hall of fame)

Another Tier 2 badge for hesitation moves is the Space Creator. It increases a player’s ability to hit stepback jumpers and hop shots. This badge can also break down defenses on hesitation moves.

Slippery Off Ball

Badge Requirements: Mid Range Shot 40 (Bronze), 50 Silver, 60 (Gold), 70 (Hall of fame) OR Three-Point Shot 40 (Bronze), 50 Silver, 60 (Gold), 70 (Hall of fame)

Scoring Machines are the slimiest when it comes to getting open and the Slippery Off Ball badge is what a 2-way scoring machine thrives at. It strengthens the player’s ability to get the open off the ball.

Agent 3

Badge Requirements: Three Point Shot 68 (Bronze), 83 (Silver),  89 (Gold), 96 (Hall of Fame)

It’s very difficult to hit an open 3-pointer off the dribble in NBA 2K even if you’re the most open player in the world. The Agent 3 badge increases your ability to hit difficult 3PT shots off the dribble and it’s a Tier 3 badge for a reason.

What are the best playmaking badges for a 2-Way Scoring Machine in NBA 2K23? 

Ankle Breaker

Badge Requirements: Ball Handle 55 (Bronze), 65 Silver, 71 (Gold), 81 (Hall of fame)

The Ankle Breaker badge is the most generic playmaking badge in NBA 2K. It’s a Tier 1 badge, which automatically improves the likelihood of freezing or dropping a defender during dribble moves. Scoring machines need this to create more space.

Quick First Step

Badge Requirements: Post Control  80 (Bronze), 87 Silver, 94 (Gold), 99 (Hall of fame) OR Ball Handle  70 (Bronze), 77 Silver, 85 (Gold), 89 (Hall of fame) OR Speed with Ball  66 (Bronze), 76 Silver, 84 (Gold), 88 (Hall of fame)

The Quick First step badge is best paired with the Ankle Breaker for this archetype. It provides more explosion on your first step as you drive towards the basket. It’s one of the first priorities once you get to tier 2.

Hyperdrive

Badge Requirements: Ball Handle  59 (Bronze), 69 Silver, 83 (Gold), 92 (Hall of fame) Speed with Ball  55 (Bronze), 67 Silver, 80 (Gold), 90 (Hall of fame)

The Hyperdrive badge is the next step as this Tier 2 badge  increases a player’s dribbling skills while on the move. It makes for effective turbo moves when driving for a layup or dunk attempt.

Bail Out

Badge Requirements: Pass Accuracy 65 (Bronze), 78 Silver, 85 (Gold), 94 (Hall of fame)

In a situation where the defense is too tight to make a shot attempt, the Bail Out badge makes it possible for you to change decision mid air. It’s a Tier 2 badge which reduces a player’s chances of getting stripped by the defender.

Mismatch Expert

Badge Requirements: Ball Handle 71 (Bronze), 86 Silver, 93 (Gold), 98 (Hall of fame)

It’s hard enough to score sure shots over still defenses. At least, the Mismatch Expert badge will help a smaller 2-way scoring machine break down taller defenders when mismatched 1-on-1. It’s also placed at Tier 3 because it drastically changes the game for your player.

What are the best defensive badges for a 2-Way Scoring Machine in NBA 2K23? 

Off-Ball Pest

Badge Requirements: Perimeter Defense 36 (Bronze), 45 Silver, 55 (Gold), 65 (Hall of fame)

The Off-Ball Pest is your first step to harassing your matchup on defense. This Tier 1 defensive badge improves a player’s ability to bump and harass the offense off the ball.

Ankle Braces

Badge Requirements: Perimeter Defense 55 (Bronze), 67 Silver, 76 (Gold), 86 (Hall of fame)

The Ankle Braces is a Tier 2 badge which will make you a better lockdown defender by lowering the likelihood of being crossed over by a better dribbler.

Pick Dodger

Badge Requirements: Perimeter Defense 64 (Bronze), 76  Silver, 85 (Gold), 94 (Hall of fame)

Screens are usually the cowardly call for help by an opposing ballhandler when you play excellent defense against them. It’s a good thing the Pick Dodger badge is only at Tier 2 as it is very important to have it regardless of archetype. All 2-way players need this badge to improve a player’s ability to navigate through screens effectively on defense. 

Menace

Badge Requirements: Perimeter Defense 55 (Bronze), 68 Silver, 77 (Gold), 87 (Hall of fame)

The Menace badge makes you a better 2-way scoring machine as you can psychologically play with your matchup. Having efficient offense whilst effectively harassing your matchup while on defense will give you the momentum you need.

Challenger

Badge Requirements: Perimeter Defense 69 (Bronze), 79 Silver, 86 (Gold), 95 (Hall of fame)

It’s harder defending as a player as you don’t get the same favors when defending shooting, layup, and dunk attempts. It’s equally tough acquiring the Challenger badge as you can only improve the effectiveness of perimeter shot contests once you get to Tier 3.

Clamps

Badge Requirements: Perimeter Defense 70 (Bronze), 86 Silver, 92 (Gold), 97 (Hall of fame)

The Clamps badge boosts the ability to stay in front of the ball handler on the perimeter. You’ll drastically improve on lockdown defense with this badge once you get to Tier 3.

What to expect when using the best badges for a 2-Way Scoring Machine in NBA 2K23? 

To become an effective 2-way scoring machine, one must first master shot timing and play calling to be able to contribute properly on offense. The defensive side of things is easier than the offensive side when it comes to this archetype.

There will be times when your teammate grade plateaus as you get cold with bad shot selections. It’s best to prioritize being a good defender first while logging onto the 10 to 15 points per game range.

If you think the 2-way scoring machine archetype is one you are going to thrive at, now you know which badges to build around towards that direction.

Looking for more badges guides? Have a look at our article on the best badges for an interior finisher.