The months before a new entry in the NBA 2K series drops is a lot like the lead-up to a new season of the world’s premiere basketball league. Freshly waxed courts, new b-balls sourced from the, err, b-ball factory, and players ready to display everything they’ve got. According to 2K, NBA 2K23 is all about creating an authentic NBA experience for newcomers and 2K pros alike -- more so than ever before.

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Last year there was a focus on the defensive, and with NBA 2K23 the development team is promising an experience “jam-packed with new features and upgrades on the offensive end of the floor”. As the team keenly watches every NBA game with an eye toward detail and then tries to simulate the same match-ups virtually, it noticed that NBA 2K22 was great for perimeter players and long-range shooters, but wasn’t as evenly crafted for players who drive the rim. Going back to the authenticity motto for NBA 2K23, this has led to several changes and improvements coming to the act of attacking the basket.

The Pro Stick is getting new gestures such as a double-throw that’s essentially flicking the analog stick multiple times, and switchbacks that are like that but one flick and then moving the stick into an opposite direction. Adding more finesse and style to layups, with things like a hop-step. NBA2K23 has many new “layup packages”, which are animation and move-sets modeled after real players.

Dunks are getting some love too, with skilled dunks returning with new Pro Stick commands that’ll let you dunk how you want to dunk, covering the range of classic rim shakers.

Head Here For Our Full NBA 2K23 Gameplay Preview