Playing small forward is as intense as it gets in NBA 2K23. Players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant both play the position and each of them has a unique style. Trying to craft a build that can shut down either style while still having an identity of its own is difficult.
This build is excellent, but preference and team composition must also be considered. No player is going to have success with a build that doesn't feel right in NBA 2K23. Feel free to take this guide and adjust it based on these factors or throw it out entirely if wanting to go at a different angle.
Body Settings
Height | 6'7" |
Weight | 209 pounds |
Wingspan | 7'4" |
The default height here is going to work nicely as the goal of this build is to create a well-rounded player that is competent in every aspect of the game. Take a bit off of the weight and max out the wingspan to get that speed a bit higher with minimal cost to strength.
In the past years, this kind of build was not possible as players had to choose a chart with specializations baked into it. This time, gamers don't have to choose whether they want to jam it down at the rim or take a long three. They can do both while still playing strong defense and moving quickly. After testing out the top playmaking badges, these body settings maximize their effect.
Attribute Potential
Close Shot | 75 |
Driving Layup | 78 |
Driving Dunk | 75 |
Standing Dunk | 75 |
Post Control | 69 |
Mid-Range Shot | 74 |
Three-Point Shot | 75 |
Free Throw | 54 |
Pass Accuracy | 76 |
Ball Handle | 75 |
Speed With Ball | 75 |
Interior Defense | 75 |
Perimeter Defense | 75 |
Steal | 75 |
Block | 75 |
Offensive Rebound | 76 |
Defensive Rebound | 73 |
Speed | 86 |
Acceleration | 80 |
Strength | 62 |
Vertical | 98 |
Stamina | 99 |
These numbers are mostly hovering in the middle of the 70s and that is just perfect. They're high enough so that opponents with 99 ratings will still have to work against the small forward to get their style to work. They're also high enough to exploit anybody who has even a single weakness in their game.
The numbers are not perfectly even and there is a reason for that; badges value certain attributes more than others. In order to acquire more badges, especially the best shooting badges, this means making small adjustments to the totals. This kind of versatility is what makes this build special. Master every aspect of the game and these numbers won't hold the gamer back from doing anything at all.
Badges
Finishing | Acrobat (Silver), Backdown Punisher (Bronze), Dream Shake (Silver), Dropstepper (Silver), Fearless Finisher (Silver), Post Spin Technician (Silver), Rise Up (Bronze), Slithery (Bronze) |
Shooting | Agent 3 (Bronze), Blinders (Bronze), Catch & Shoot (Silver), Deadeye (Bronze), Guard Up (Silver), Middy Magician (Gold), Slippery Off-Ball (Bronze), Space Creator (Bronze) |
Playmaking | Ankle Breaker (Gold), Bail Out (Bronze), Clamp Breaker (Bronze), Killer Combos (Bronze), Needle Threader (Silver), Quick First Step (Bronze), Unpluckable (Silver) |
Defense/Rebounding | Anchor (Bronze), Ankle Braces (Silver), Boxout Beast (Bronze), Brick Wall (Bronze), Challenger (Bronze), Chase Down Artist (Silver), Clamps (Bronze), Glove (Bronze), Interceptor (Bronze), Menace (Bronze), Off-Ball Pest (Bronze), Pick Dodger (Bronze), Pogo Stick (Bronze), Post Lockdown (Bronze), Rebound Chaser (Bronze) |
This is where things get exciting. Players will actually have more badges than they are missing. Those who invest in only a few badges will be torn to shreds by this build in any number of ways. These ideal finishing badges can layup, dunk, and shoot from the post with equal ferocity.
There aren't many mid-range shooters in the game, so Middy Magician at a gold ranking stands out in its usefulness. Few teams have an answer for mid-range shooting; they actually develop strategies that try to force gamers into taking these shots. With this build, that's a dire mistake, these shots will land every time. This is, of course, in addition to having phenomenal three-point shooting.
Another rare exploit for the small forward is when it comes to dribbling. Most lay these skills entirely at the feet of the point guard which leads to other small forwards not protecting themselves against ankle breaker moves. With Ankle Breaker at gold, foes will need to switch out with point guards to defend the attack, at which point the build will then have a substantial size advantage.
Finally, the defense/rebounding badges are just enough to insure that any offensive attack, even with perfect 99 attributes and a Hall of Fame badge ascribed to it, can be thwarted with proper positioning. Plus, the small forward can help out on the interior or the perimeter in a pinch.
Takeover
Primary Takeover | Slasher |
Secondary Takeover | Spot Up Shooter |
There are four choices of takeover for this build, the reward for being elite in so many aspects. The playmaking here is already quite high, a boost is unnecessary. And while the Lockdown takeover can be enticing, this lineup of amazing defense/rebounding badges doesn't need additional assistance.
That leaves Slasher and Spot Up Shooter, both offensive attack styles. This creates a hilarious problem for opponents when they see the takeover occur as they have no clue how to best play against the build. They'll need help either underneath or over-the-top, leaving another teammate unguarded.
Best Team To Play For
There are a few teams that contend for the title of the best team to play small forward for. When choosing a team, try to find one where the starting player at the small forward position is ranked at a sub-80 while the rest of the team is solid, mostly 80s or 90s.
The Timberwolves and Cavaliers both make strong cases. The Cavaliers get the tiebreaker because their starter, Isaac Okoro, is at a miserable 75, allowing players to overtake him for the starting role within a week or two.
NBA 2K23 is available now for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.