I remember the first time I got my ankles broken in NBA 2K17 - it was downright embarrassing. My opponent dribbled circles around me while I stumbled around like a newborn giraffe on ice skates. That moment reminded me of something I'd read about basketball prospect Remogat, who specifically focused on improving his defense during his one-year residency because he recognized it as his major weakness since his UE days. Well, I decided to turn the tables and become the ankle breaker rather than the victim. After countless hours in the game lab, I've discovered five dribble moves that consistently send defenders packing.
The hesitation crossover might be my personal favorite - it's just so satisfying when executed perfectly. You hold the right stick diagonally down toward your ball hand, then quickly flick it diagonally down toward your off-hand. The key is timing it when you're moving at about 75% speed, not full sprint. I've found that doing this near the three-point line gives you just enough space to either drive to the basket or pull up for a jumper if your defender backs off too much. It works particularly well with players like Stephen Curry, whose quick release and handles make this move absolutely deadly. What I love about this move is how it plays with the defender's expectations - they think you're slowing down, then BAM, you're past them.
Now, let's talk about the spin move, which I initially struggled with but now consider my secret weapon. You double-tap the right stick in the direction you want to spin, but here's the trick - you need to combine it with the turbo button at just the right moment. I've noticed that using this move when changing direction works about 60% more effectively than using it in a straight line. The spin move becomes especially potent when you've already established a driving pattern - if you've been going right repeatedly, suddenly spinning left will catch most defenders completely off guard. It creates that beautiful separation where you can see the defender literally stumbling in the replay while you're already lining up your shot.
The behind-the-back dribble is what I call my "reset button" when I'm in trouble. Flick the right stick away from your ball hand, and you'll execute a slick behind-the-back move that maintains your momentum while protecting the ball. I can't count how many times this has saved me from turnovers when trapped near the sidelines. What makes this move special is how it sets up other combos - you can immediately chain it into a crossover or stepback jumper. I've found that players with high ball control ratings (85+) perform this move much faster, giving defenders less time to react. It's these small advantages that separate good players from great ones in 2K17.
My fourth go-to move is the stepback jumper, which has become increasingly effective in today's spacing-heavy NBA - both real and virtual. To perform this, you flick the right stick away from the basket while holding the left stick in the direction you want to create space. The beauty of this move is how it plays with modern basketball principles - defenders are so worried about drives that when you suddenly create three to five feet of separation, they often can't recover in time. I've noticed that pairing this with a playmaking badge increases its effectiveness by what feels like at least 30%. It's particularly devastating when you've established a driving threat earlier in the game.
Finally, we have the triple threat move, which might seem basic but remains incredibly effective when used strategically. From a standstill position, using the right stick for quick jabs and fakes before making your move can freeze defenders just enough to create an advantage. I've timed this - a well-executed triple threat sequence takes about 1.5 seconds but increases your driving success rate significantly. What makes this work is the psychological element - you're essentially reading the defender's stance and reacting accordingly. If they're playing off, you shoot. If they're tight, you drive. If they're balanced, you use one of the other moves we've discussed. It's this layered approach that transforms you from someone just executing moves to someone truly breaking ankles. Mastering these five moves has completely changed my 2K17 experience - I went from getting embarrassed to doing the embarrassing, and honestly, it feels pretty amazing.