Okay, so I’ve been messing around with NBA 2K23, specifically trying to nail down this whole shot-timing thing. It’s been a rollercoaster, let me tell you!
Initial Frustration
First, I jumped in all excited, thinking I’d be splashing threes like Steph Curry. Nope. Bricked everything. Wide-open shots, contested shots, didn’t matter. My timing was way off, and it felt like the game was messing with me.

I started to get super frustrated. I mean, I’ve played 2K before, but this year felt different. The shot meter seemed faster, and the release point was, like, a millisecond.
Experimentation Time
So, I decided I needed to actually figure this out. I spent hours – seriously, hours – in the practice gym. Just shooting, shooting, and shooting some more.
- Changing Jump Shots: I switched up my player’s jump shot animation like five times. Some felt better than others, but it was hard to tell if it was actually making a difference or if I was just getting used to it.
- Meter On, Meter Off: I messed around with the shot meter, turning it on and off, trying to see if I could get a better feel for the release without the visual cue. Honestly, I think I did better with it off, but it was still inconsistent.
- Controller Vibration: Payed more close attention the the controller vibration to help with the release.
- Focusing on the Visual Cue: I tried to really focus on my player’s animation – the moment their feet left the ground, the flick of the wrist, all that stuff. It helped a little, but it was tough to be consistent in the heat of a game.
Slow Progress
Slowly, very slowly, I started to see some improvement. I was hitting more shots, even some contested ones. It wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely better than before.
I think the biggest thing I learned was that it’s not just about the meter. It’s about finding a jump shot that feels comfortable, getting a feel for the release point, and then just practicing until it becomes muscle memory.
Still Grinding
I’m still not a sharpshooter by any means, but I’m not throwing up bricks every other shot either. It’s a work in progress, and I’m still tweaking things here and there. I am definately getting more “green” releases.
My advice to anyone struggling with timing in 2K23? Don’t give up! Keep practicing, experiment with different settings, and find what works best for you. It takes time, but it’s definitely possible to get better.