Summary
As the old sports saying goes, defense certainly wins championships. And the same can be said inNBA 2K24. While modernized offenses have become more complex and fluid, so have defenses to counteract them.
Finding success on the defensive end of the court in NBA 2K24 begins with smothering the ball handler. Being able to disrupt dribbling, anticipate passing lanes, and boxing out are the most important areas to focus on defense. We highlight the top defensive badges for you to use to secure rebounds and shut down the opposing team.
10Post Lockdown
Offensive post moves aren’t as common in today’s NBA but sometimes you’ll find yourself guarding in the post. Skilled big men can utilize sidesteps and fake hooks to gain an advantage in the interior.
Post Lockdown improves the defender’s ability to defend post moves, allowing them to remain strong against driving offensive players. Holding strong against post players can cause an offense to stagnate and give your defense more time to shut down the perimeter players.
9Chase Down Artist
After a missed shot or turnover, a fast break can ensue and the offense will quickly turn into defense. The main goal is to halt the fast break and reset the defense but some high-quality defenders can surprise would-be scorers with the Chase Down Artist badge.
The Chase Down Artist badge raises the chances of getting a chase-down block which can turn a scoring opportunity for the other team into a new fast break opportunity for your team. Even if you can contest the shot, the slight alternation might be enough to rattle the offensive player.
8Immovable Enforcer
Whether you’re on the perimeter or interior, it’s important to have the strength to keep your match-up in front of you. Making sure they don’t get by will limit the offensive opportunities and force the opposing team into a poor shot attempt.
The Immovable Enforcer badge improves a defensive player’s strength when defending ball handlers and finishers. This badge works for both backcourt and frontcourt so it’s value can be felt on all levels of the court.
7Pick Dodger
Setting screens is an easy and effective way for an offense to create disruption for a defense and exploit mismatches. But one way for defenders to counteract screens is the Pick Dodger badge.
Pick Dodger improves a player’s ability to navigate through screens effectively on defense. Being able to maneuver around screens and stay with your matchup will allow other defenders to stick with their matchup.
6Anchor
Holding down the interior on defense can create a domino effect of success. Restricting paint penetration will force opposing offenses to take jump shots, but knowing that a top defender is in the painted area, perimeter defenders can play up close on them.
Anchor boosts a player’s ability to defend and protect the painted area. Unlike Post Lockdown, Anchor simply raises the player’s overall interior defensive attributes while the former only impacts specific post moves.
5Off-Ball Pest
There is tons of movement in an NBA offense and defenses need to focus on players without the ball almost as much as the one who does. Certain offensive plays involve setting screens away from the ball to allow a specific offensive star to get open.
The Off-Ball Pest badge improves a player’s ability to bump and harass the offense off the ball which can help disrupt the entire offense. Keeping pressure on players off the ball will limit passes and allow other defenders to focus on the ball handler.
4Ankle Braces
Top-tier offensive players utilize several dribbling skills to shake off defenders to create space for jump shots or drive toward the basket. However, defenders who can keep their balance and stay in front of their matchup will do wonders for a defense.
The Ankles Braces badge reduces the chances of getting crossed over and allows them to stay upright in a defensive position. Restricting offensive players from penetrating the painted area can stifle an offense and force bad passes or poor shot selections.
3Challenger
Ultimately, defenders need to do whatever they can to challenge shot attempts. Even the slightest contest can alter a shot enough to force a rebound opportunity and change of possession.
The Challenger badge improves the effectiveness of well-timed contests against perimeter shooters. With an emphasis on shooting in the NBA, being able to properly contest against shooters on the outside can lead to an overall effective defense.
2Boxout Beast
An overlooked aspect of a defense that people might seem to be a given is rebounding. Collecting rebounds immediately leads to a change of possession and having the Boxout Beast badge is the key to finding success in this area.
The Boxout Beast badge improves a player’s ability to fight in the paint to get a good rebounding position. Typically, centers and power forwards will be the main defenders who battle down low for rebounding position, and having Boxout Beast can be a difference maker.
1Clamps
Causing disruptions on defense is what will ultimately lead to suppressing an opposing offense. Being able to keep ball handlers in check and suffocate them is the most important part of a successful defense and why Clamps is the best defensive badge in NBA 2K24.
The Clamps badge improves defenders' being more successful when bumping or hip-riding the ball handler. Harassing the ball handler can disrupt and alter their offensive flow, causing the entire offense to crumble. Clamps is the most effective defensive badge to have and is a must-have for top-quality defenders.
