The NBA Championship of 2022 came to a monumental finish with the Golden State Warriors crowned as the winners. Gearing up for another season of grit, sweat, tears, and celebration basketballers, fans and game players all around the world are gearing up for another season of competition.
The drafts have been picked and players are back to getting court ready all while fans and video gamers swoon over the latest release of NBA 2K23. Since its release on September 9th of this year, gamers are wondering who the strongest shooting guards are to build up the strongest team and we have all the answers.
What to keep in mind when picking a shooting guard?
The title “Shooting guard” for gamers in modern NBA has deviated from its traditional function of the position as the guard position has melded into a hybrid of sorts. In traditional basketball, most people referred to the shooting guard title as the player responsible for the majority of the scoring, which isn’t exactly the case anymore.
Changing based on each team’s individual composition, for some the player could be responsible for guarding the opponent’s best guard, or alternatively, the player lined up at this spot could function as the one who provides points. NBA 2K23 has plenty of good shooting guards to pick from for this position, so the first tip we provide when picking players is to try and analyze which player can function well in both scenarios.
Ready to pick and play?
Here are the latest top-ranked NBA 2K23 players:
8 – Tyrese Haliburton (84)
If you are looking for a distance shooter then number 84 of the Indiana Pacers shooting guard, Tyrese Hamilton, is your best pick, coming in as the 8th best at his position in the entirety of NBA 2K23. Haliburton may not be the best non-big at making a jump shot immediately after receiving the ball, but over the course of his career, he has averaged over 40% from behind the three-point line. A definite sniper shooter that provides offensive firepower, Haliburton racks up points the fastest as most of his scores come from shooting at a distance. An astronomical three-point scorer in the league, we can only imagine the potential threat he will become if he ups his skills as a shot creator.
7 – CJ McCollum (85)
For years, CJ McCollum filled the role of number two best-scoring shooting guard behind NBA All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. Although the two stars were unable to carry the Portland Trailblazers to the NBA championship, McCollum a player that’s undeniably good in his role was sent to the New Orleans Pelicans. Maybe not one of the strongest defensive players around, we recommend when choosing him to comprise a team that would have his back in defense. McCollum is at the top in the world when it comes to shooting guards given his age and potential developments, as he is already placed in a leadership position while having an 85 overall in NBA 2K23.
6 – Anthony Edwards (86)
The Minnesota Timberwolves is definitely a team on the rise in the NBA Championships and beyond as they recently traded in exchange for defensive anchor and NBA All-Star center Rudy Gobert. A strategic move with the belief that Anthony Edwards will take another step in his development following his performance in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Edwards compiled one of the most impressive seasons of all time for a 20-year-old, averaging 21 points per game on 44% shooting while playing stellar defense. His 86 overall in NBA 2K23 was more than earned and is a testament to what Edwards is capable of and will be capable of in the years to come. A definite definition of a modern hybrid shooting guard, you can’t go wrong when picking Edwards as his growth and potential within the game has barely even begun.
5 – Zach LaVine (88)
The Chicago Bulls, a team who made an NBA and super sports icon, Michael Jordan, and having him put the Chicago Bulls on the map for decades, there’s no denying that it’s known the team has been struggling for a while to put together a perennial contender. Although the bulls may not have drafted Zach LaVine, his growth in their organization has allowed his athleticism to exceed. LaVine developed into a natural leader, despite dealing with numerous injuries over his career. At 26 years old, the 88 overall shooting guard is entering his prime. His athletic traits make him a blast to use in NBA 2K23, regardless of what mode it is.
4 – Paul George (88)
Paul George, often referred to as Playoff P, happens to be one of the best two-way players in the NBA and is easily the best two-way shooting guard. Although having a reputation for being an undependable player on social media, he is definitely the opposite, as in the last two NBA postseasons, George’s performance skyrocketed! He averaged 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists a game in that span of time. What’s even more impressive is that George was able to pull it all off without having the Los Angeles Clippers pitch in small forward Kawhi Leonard to play for a single second in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. An 88 that doesn’t do him justice for his skillset and drive we are sure his score will likely change in NBA 2K23.
3 – Donovan Mitchell (88)
To not associate Donovan Mitchell with the Utah Jazz sounds like eating pancakes without syrup, but the recent trade to Cleveland Cavaliers means the young superstar shooting guard will showcase his talents in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. His 88 overall in NBA 2K23 is equal parts thanks to his three-level scoring ability and his lack of commitment to the defensive side of the ball. Either way, his presence will be key to the success of the Cavaliers as they feel Mitchell is the missing ingredient for their winning recipe. If Mitchell ever decided to focus on becoming a two-way player, the developers at 2K would have a hard time not giving him a 90 overall at the very least.
2 – James Harden (89)
Based on the way the Philadelphia 76ers utilize James Harden, he serves more as a point guard than a shooting guard. But in NBA 2K23, his primary position is at the two and not the one, mainly due to his age and the dominant factor that the NBA changed some game rules, hindering him to play to his strengths and skillsets he’s become accustomed to over the course of his career. Having a favorable score of 89 overall, the 76ers superstar is still chasing that championship ring and anyone playing NBA 2K23 could make his dream a reality.
1 – Devin Booker (91)
Devin Booker is the definition of a pure scorer, and throughout his career has managed to do most of it from inside the three-point line. The Phoenix Suns are perennial NBA Championship contenders, and that’s in large part thanks to Booker being able to take over games offensively and charge head first without a second thought to give his team the advantage lead. Even when the score is tight and the Suns are in need of points, Booker takes charge and makes the magic happen. Booker was given a 91 overall in NBA 2K23 and currently stands as the highest overall shooting guard in the entire game.
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