Yuki had just received a defensive badge gift pack, and his defensive ability had now reached the top tier of the entire league.
You must understand— even players who had won the Defensive Player of the Year award didn't necessarily possess three Gold badges plus one Purple Hall of Fame badge on defense.
Staring at Rodney Stuckey, who held the ball and waited for an opportunity to break through, Yuki recalled one of his Gold badge skills.
Death Coil
Allows defenders to gain faster lateral movement and greater effectiveness when bodying up or sliding with ball-handlers.
This badge was specifically designed for perimeter defense, and it only activated when guarding players who attacked off the dribble.
The reason Yuki had reacted so quickly during Stuckey's previous drive—and gained the absolute upper hand in physical confrontation—was precisely because Death Coil had activated.
In NBA 2K, many elite defenders possessed this skill. The most famous among them was Kawhi Leonard, whose Death Coil badge had reached the Purple Hall of Fame level.
Although Yuki's Death Coil was only at the Gold level, one tier below Leonard's, even a Gold badge was more than enough to restrain most players in the league.
Even All-Star–level players would struggle to shake it off—let alone a role player who was slowly fading into a bench role.
At this moment, Stuckey adjusted his footwork, used a probing step, and suddenly exploded to Yuki's left like lightning!
This time, he was even faster than before.
However, the instant he made his move, Yuki stuck to him like a shadow.
Instead of colliding head-on, Yuki kept his body close, exerting force subtly and continuously guiding Stuckey toward the weak side and the sideline.
"How is this possible?!"
Stuckey's eyes widened in disbelief.
This rookie had stayed in front of him twice in a row?
Even Iguodala and Barnes had been a step slow earlier!
Shaken, Stuckey lost his composure and forced a pull-up jumper after an emergency stop.
Under such intense physical pressure, his shooting form was completely distorted.
How could the shot possibly go in?
What's more—Yuki also possessed a top-tier Purple badge that was active at all times.
Defensive Deterrence
As long as defensive interference occurs, the opponent's shooting percentage is significantly reduced.
As the strongest defensive badge in 2K, Defensive Deterrence was considered a must-have skill. Whether defensive specialists or offensive stars, every elite player benefited greatly from it.
When upgraded to the Purple Hall of Fame level, its effect became terrifying.
Clang!
A crisp sound rang out as the ball struck the rim.
Stuckey's shot missed without suspense.
The rebound bounced off the iron and landed securely in David Lee's arms.
"Nice defense!"
On the sidelines, Steve Kerr's eyes lit up.
What Yuki had just displayed was textbook defense—so perfect that Kerr could barely find a single flaw.
Although the Warriors were known as an offense-first team, their defense was never weak. Players like Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Barnes, and Bogut all possessed excellent defensive ability.
Defensive players always received special attention. After all, no team could rely solely on offense—especially in the playoffs, where physicality intensified and defense often determined championships.
In fact, during the Warriors' championship years, while their offense was dazzling, their defense was also among the league's best.
"When did this kid develop defense like that?" Kerr muttered.
The game continued.
With Curry sidelined, the ball primarily flowed through Green and Thompson.
Yuki knew his role clearly.
The defensive gift pack had elevated him to an elite defensive level, but offensively, he still lagged behind. So he naturally drifted to the corner, standing beyond the three-point line like a standard 3-and-D role player.
No one paid him any attention on offense.
At the top of the arc, Green held the ball and passed it to Thompson, who had shaken free off the ball.
Without Curry, Thompson was the Warriors' primary scoring option tonight.
So far, he had scored 30 points. Although his shooting percentage hovered around the low 40s, he was the team's only reliable offensive weapon.
The rest of the team was ice-cold.
Green was 1-for-6.
Iguodala was 4-for-11.
Barnes, who had been replaced by Yuki, was 3-for-11.
The defender guarding Thompson was a step late.
Thompson rose immediately and fired.
Swish.
The score became 87–94, cutting the deficit to seven points.
The Pacers attacked again.
This time, Hill didn't force the ball to Stuckey.
Instead, he orchestrated ball movement, searching for an opening.
But the frequent passing created an opportunity.
Interceptor
Greatly increases the success rate of disrupting and stealing passes.
As the Pacers swung the ball around, Yuki suddenly burst out from the side, perfectly predicting the passing lane.
He intercepted the ball cleanly.
Fast break!
Without hesitation, Yuki passed to Green, the closest teammate.
Green was startled for a split second, but reacted instantly and charged forward.
The Pacers failed to retreat in time.
The Warriors formed a 3-on-2 fast break.
Green pushed the ball while scanning the court.
Thompson was running alongside him but closely guarded.
The other option surprised him.
"It's him?"
Seeing Yuki sprinting toward the corner three, Green didn't hesitate and fired a pass.
Yuki was completely open.
Catching the ball, he took a deep breath, lifted his arms, and jumped.
The motion flowed effortlessly—smooth and natural.
The ball left his fingertips, tracing a perfect arc.
Swish.
A clean, hollow make.
"Nice shot!"
Kerr couldn't help but brighten.
As a former shooter himself, he had a sharp eye. Yuki's form—its rhythm, balance, and release—was flawless.
In terms of mechanics alone, that shot was no worse than anything Curry or Thompson could produce.
Kerr knew Yuki could shoot threes, but this level?
"Did he really practice this much?"
Corner Three Specialist
Grants a significant shooting bonus on baseline corner mid-range shots and three-pointers.
Yuki's badge level was Purple Hall of Fame.
Even Curry and Thompson—two of the greatest shooters ever—only possessed Gold-level corner three badges.
Of course, generational shooters like Curry had multiple elite shooting badges.
But when it came strictly to corner threes, there were very few players in NBA history who held a Purple Hall of Fame badge.
After all, Hall of Fame badges belonged to top-tier superstars with extreme attribute values.
Those players usually focused on ball-dominant offense—not the specialized corner shooting required of 3-and-D role players.
Even legends like Curry, Thompson, and Ray Allen were excellent from the corner—but at most, their badge level would reach Gold or All-Star tier.
Their true strength lay in versatile shooting far beyond the corner.
Curry alone possessed Purple Hall of Fame badges such as Deadeye and Deep Range Shot, far more impactful than a corner-only badge.
Yet for Yuki—
That corner three was deadly.