Top Dribble Moves, Styles & Playmaking Animations in NBA 2K25

<p>NBA 2K25 has introduced significant changes to dribbling mechanics, making it crucial to utilize the best dribble moves, styles, and playmaking animations to ensure your handles feel responsive on the court.

Mastering ball handling takes considerable practice, but no amount of skill can compensate for poor animations. If your dribble moves lack speed and ease of execution, they may become ineffective, wasting your VC.

For guards, slow dribbling can severely impair your build, as effective dribbling is key to creating open shots. However, wings and even taller players can also benefit from high-quality animations, as these taller builds can achieve impressive playmaking stats and access numerous meta moves.

To enhance your gameplay experience, we’ve compiled a list of the best dribble moves in NBA 2K25. These moves can be paired with the best jumpshots and contact dunks to build a truly dominant character on the court, both indoors and beyond the arc.

Top Dribble Moves in NBA 2K25

Here is a selection of top dribble moves based on player height: under 6’5″, between 6’5″ and 6’9″, and 6’10” and above. The required Ball Handle stats for each move are noted:

Under 6’5″

Signature Size-Up: Trae Young (92), Derrick Rose (87)
Regular Breakdown Combo: Isaiah Thomas (85)
Aggressive Breakdown Combo: Ja Morant (87), Devin Booker (80)
Escape Moves: Steph Curry (92), Damian Lillard (90), De’Aaron Fox (89)
Combo Moves: Ja Morant (86), Zach LaVine (80)
Crossover: Chris Paul (80)
Behind the Back: Trae Young (92), Darius Garland (84)
Spin: Steve Nash (80)
Hesitation: Darius Garland (84), Tyrese Haliburton (79)
Stepback: Luka Doncic (84), Zach LaVine (80)

6’5″ – 6’9″

Signature Size-Up: Cade Cunningham (75), Ben Simmons (65)
Regular Breakdown Combo: Paul George (75)
Aggressive Breakdown Combo: Devin Booker (80), DeMar DeRozan (75)
Escape Moves: Kobe Bryant (88), Jimmy Butler (70)
Combo Moves: Zach LaVine (80)
Crossover: Lonzo Ball (80), Josh Giddey (76)
Behind the Back: Kawhi Leonard (70)
Spin: Steve Nash (80)
Hesitation: Kobe Bryant (88), Tyrese Haliburton (79), Larry Bird (70)
Stepback: Luka Doncic (84), Zach LaVine (80), Jimmy Butler (70)

6’10” and above

Signature Size-Up: Ben Simmons (65)
Regular Breakdown Combo: Giannis Antetokounmpo (74), Pro (70)
Aggressive Breakdown Combo: Kevin Durant (73), Pro (70)
Escape Moves: Kevin Durant (73)
Combo Moves: Kevin Durant (73), Pro (70)
Crossover: Pro (70)
Behind the Back: Normal (40)
Spin: Kevin Durant (73)
Hesitation: Kevin Durant (73), Larry Bird (70)
Stepback: Giannis Antetokounmpo (74), Joel Embiid (55)

The dribble moves highlighted above have been selected for their speed, chaining potential, or ability to create space, allowing players to get off more open shots.

If you aim to equip the best dribble moves in NBA 2K25, target achieving a Ball Handle stat of 92 for guards, 84 for wings, and 74 for big men. Without these stats, you won’t be able to purchase or equip the moves listed in the Animations Store.

Buying playmaking moves in NBA 2K25. — Source: Dexerto

You can purchase dribbling moves in the Animations Store.

Top Dribble Styles

Dribble Style	Stat requirement	Height requirement
Russell Westbrook	87 Speed With Ball	Under 6’5″
Darius Garland	85 Speed With Ball	Under 6’5″
Devin Booker	80 Speed With Ball	Under 6’10”
James Harden	75 Speed With Ball	Under 6’10”
Zion Williamson	60 Speed With Ball	At Least 6’5″

Guard builds with excellent ball handling should consider using either Russell Westbrook or Darius Garland, as these styles offer unmatched speed. Both are top-tier options, so it’s suggested you try them in your MyCourt to see which one suits your playstyle better.

Wings with decent Speed With Ball should select Devin Booker or James Harden, as they can be utilized on taller builds while still providing good speed. For builds with lower ball handling stats, Zion Williamson offers a solid alternative that can be equipped even by 7’0″ Centers.

Best Passing Styles

Passing Style	Stat requirement
Mike Conley	90 Pass Accuracy
Tyrese Haliburton	89 Pass Accuracy
Magic Johnson	83 Pass Accuracy
Yes Morant	75 Pass Accuracy
None	N/A

Both Mike Conley and Tyrese Haliburton offer rapid passing animations that make them difficult for defenders to intercept. For players with lower playmaking stats, Point Forwards, and Glass Cleaners, Magic Johnson provides an excellent passing style introduced in NBA 2K25, widely regarded as one of the best.

Most other builds should find success with Ja Morant, as it boasts effective animations that require a relatively low Pass Accuracy stat to unlock. Lastly, players with low passing stats should stick with the default None Pass Style, which, while basic, is functional.

That concludes our guide on the best dribbling moves in NBA 2K25. For further insights into creating your next build, don’t miss our best build recommendations for every position, along with individual analyses for the best PGs, SGs, SFs, and Cs this year.

Source