Does Speed Matter in 2K23? You’d Be Shocked

Speed Kills... Or Does It?

You’d think speed is everything in NBA 2K23. I mean, who doesn’t want to blow by defenders like they’re standing still, right? But—hold up. It’s not that simple. I learned that the hard way during a heated Pro-Am match last week. My guy had 94 speed, but I was still getting clamped up by some slower dude with clamps on gold and crazy timing.

Speed matters... but not the way you think.

The Raw Numbers Behind Speed

Speed With Ball vs Pure Speed

So here's where people mess up. There’s “Speed,” and then there’s “Speed With Ball.” You can have 90+ speed, but if your speed with the ball is trash (like 76 or something), you’ll feel like you're stuck in mud on offense.

Quick example — I built a 6'6” PG with 93 speed, but only 78 speed with ball. And man... it felt off. Meanwhile, my boy Danny, who had 85 speed but 89 speed with ball? He was zooming.

Lesson? Speed with ball is way more important if you’re a ball-handler. Don’t sleep on that stat.

Acceleration: The Unsung Hero

Another stat that people overlook is acceleration. This controls how fast you reach top speed, especially off the first step. In iso situations, that matters a ton. Fast break? Not so much. I didn’t believe it at first, but after tweaking builds, I saw a huge difference. Wish I knew that earlier honestly.

Context is King: Where Speed Shines (and Fails)

In Park Games

Park is fast-paced, chaotic, and yeah—speed goes a long way here. You can outrun a defender on a slip or get easy rim runs. But again, if the other guy knows how to hedge or switch smartly... your speed means less. I’ve been cooked by dudes with 78 speed just ‘cause they played smart.

In Rec or Pro-Am

This is where things flip. Teams communicate, rotate, and run zones. Speed helps on fast breaks or off-ball cuts, but if you can’t dribble, shoot, and read the game? Forget it. Speed won't save you here.

The Skill Gap Truth

Speed gives you an edge — no doubt. But it’s not a cheat code.

One night, I was watching my homie Julian play on Twitch. His guard build wasn’t fast — like mid-80s all around. But bro, his timing, his reads, the way he manipulated defenders... it was art. He dropped 35 on some elite comp just by outsmarting people. I messaged him after: “Yo how the hell are you doing that with 82 speed?” He just laughed: “Speed don’t matter if you know when to move.”

That hit me hard.

Speed vs. Badges: What Really Matters?

Honestly? Sometimes the badges are more impactful than raw attributes. Quick First Step, Clamp Breaker, Unpluckable — they make your speed useable. You can have 99 speed, but if your badges are garbage, you're toast against anyone who knows what they're doing.

I messed up my first 2K23 build by going all-in on physicals. Speed, vertical, stamina maxed. But my badge count? Weak. And I suffered for it. Couldn’t create space, couldn’t finish consistently... speed alone didn’t carry me.

Now, I balance it out. Not max speed — maybe mid-80s — and more badge love. The game feels smoother, more complete.

Final Thoughts: So, Does Speed Matter?

Short answer? Yes. But not how you think.

Speed matters in bursts. On defense, for recovery. On offense, in transition or quick escapes. But the real killer combo? Speed with skill. With IQ. With the right animations and badge setup.

If you're just starting out, don’t get caught up chasing 95 speed like it's some golden ticket. Build smart. Play smarter. And remember — sometimes the slow guy ends up cooking you, just ‘cause he knows when to strike.

I didn’t believe that till I got dropped off by a 79-speed stretch four who played like he was Luka Doncic. (Still salty, not gonna lie.)

Speed matters. But not alone.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.