Isolation play in the NBA is one of the simplest and oldest scoring tactics. Its execution is quite simple in theory, the best player on the team gets the ball and the rest of the players get out of his way. In reality, it takes a lot of talent and skills to get to the hoop while getting past all of the defenders. Isolation efficiency was considerably higher when the NBA regulations didn’t allow zone defense. During the man-to-man times, an offensive player had much fewer obstacles on his way to the basket. The isolation situations are still a part of today’s basketball. Let’s take a look at the executions of this strategy and if it’s still one to choose in the three-pointers era.
Types of Isolation Plays
There are many isolation play types, as there are many tactics to set up such play. Basketball is a very strategic game and to set up iso you have to be one step ahead of your opponent, almost like while playing chess. The goal is to clear out the paint from the defenders and make the way for the ISO player. We can distinguish types of isolation plays based on the process of preparations.
Screening
When the team’s star is in isolated possession, the other players start to screen the defenders to confuse them and block them out from the game. It is a good strategy, especially when the ISO player is further from the basket because it gives him time to make his way through the hoop. It’s also a great way to make the defensive team play one on one instead of zone defense.
Cuts
Cuts are used to confuse the opponent. The iso player is going one way and then suddenly changes the direction of the dribble. These tactics work better when the player is in the perimeter or strictly under the backboard, as the smart defense can often keep up with the shifts and stop the offensive player.
Right Placement
Sometimes perfect ISO play can be executed by one player if he is able to find a perfect spot to take a shot. This strategy is used by players like Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, who can shoot perfectly from the three-point line and makes ISO play so fast that the opponents don’t even know what hits them.
This strategy doesn’t require the player to get close to the hoop, he only has to have a clear shot. There are many variations of every technique and they will probably be much more as the players have to get more creative.
Player Mismatch
The best opportunity to execute a perfect basketball isolation play it’s when there is a player mismatch. It means that one team is bigger and stronger than the other. When the defensive players are smaller than the offensive players it creates inequality on the field, which can be used to practice riskier plays. The smaller players can also use it to their advantage, as they often move faster than their defenders and are more agile.
Isolation Scoring
Isolation scoring is mostly visible in the playoffs during which the players have shown incredible skills in one on one offense in the past three seasons. Interestingly, ISO plays tend to occur more often at the start of the playoffs rather than at the end. The trend for the regular season is completely backward, we can see more ISO scoring in the last minutes of the game and the NBA Finals.
Isolation Play: Regular Season vs The Playoffs
This inconsistency is created by many factors. For starters, players are fighting for bigger stakes at the Final Game and it’s best to not injure or over-exhaust their star players before the season’s climax. Using one-to-one offense is also risky, like putting everything on one card.
On the other hand, it’s best to go all-in from the start during the playoffs because it helps to understand the opponent better and look for their weak spots. Playoffs can be used carefully to test the waters especially when there is a player mismatch.
Best ISO Players in NBA History
When choosing the best ISO players, looking at the statistics isn’t always the way to do it. The times have changed, the way the game is played evolved and there aren’t as many isolation opportunities as there used to be. Some of the critics say that the ISO game is dying out because the defense knows what to expect from their opponents, and they can guard them closely throughout the whole game. But still, players manage to have as great ISO performances as their predecessors. Here are some honorable mentions and some best isolation scorers of all time.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was heavily relied on when it came down to isolation plays. During his career, he acquired extreme amounts of isolation possessions. To be such a threat, and still manage to get that many ISO opportunities, is very impressive even if Kobe wasn’t always efficient.
At the end of his career, Kobe wasn’t doing well statistically. However, he also had several outstanding isolation seasons, and one of them is off the charts. For players who have at least 100 isolation possessions in a season, his 2006-07 season is the 15th most efficient overall.
James Harden
Point guard and shooting guard, James Harden has ranked among the league leaders in isolation points per game. He is the only player to average more than 6.0 points in isolation over the past years. On the other hand, he has to heavily rely on his team to clear the way for him. He is often giving the ball back to his team members before he manages to break through the defense. He’s also exceptionally good at drawing fouls and even if he doesn’t manage to make the shot, the team has the opportunity to bounce back with some free throws.
Michael Jordan
James Harden is often compared to Michael Jordan when it comes to isolation play type. He even says it himself. As Phil Jackson became a coach of the Chicago Bulls in 1990, the team has struggled because they focused on old-school ISO. Jordan couldn’t carry the team on his back by himself, so a new tactic was implemented- the triangle offense strategy. Some of the specialists say that the triangle is a variation of isolation play. Triangle offense was still very entertaining to watch, as it gave Michael the opportunity to shine. He definitely had the ability to perform well-rounded isolation plays.
LeBron James
Honorable mention goes to LeBron James. His physicality and exceptional talent make him a great ball-handler and an excellent isolation player. James frequently battles his way to the basket, suffering a number of hits along the way. His speed has eroded somewhat as a result of the wear and tear on his body, which makes him back down a little on ISO plays.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is one of the best modern ISO players and his opponents know that. Sometimes, when Durant is on the opposite team, the defense is particularly crafted, not to give him room for isolation plays. With his rough style of play, Durant has 1.05 points per possession in 2.5 isolation situations on average. The numbers are astonishing, especially while taking into consideration that Durant has the size and length of a big man but the moves and shooting skills of a guard.
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is completely destroying the stats when it comes to isolation plays and is widely renowned as a king of ISO. Irving is one of the NBA’s elite scorers making him nearly unbeatable in isolation situations. He also has a quick first step, as well as a deadly crossover that helps him get past defenders. He has a 55,9% effective field goal percentage which makes him a lethal power when it comes to isolation plays, especially if we account for his excellent scoring frequency.
Conclusion
Isolation plays may seem like the ghost of the past, but the truth is sometimes the team has to take a leap of faith and put everything on one players’ back. A much more efficient play would be “pick and roll” but it’s not always possible. Isolation plays are not known for having an effective field goal percentage and aren’t used as the main strategy but they make for good entertainment and can save the team in a hopeless situation.
Who is the best isolation player in NBA history?
There is no doubt that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the most points in his career (38,887), and he also had the most points scored in isolation per possession (15621.2 possessions). At the moment, Harden ranks higher than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokuonmpo when it comes to isolation plays in the NBA.
What is the NBA resting rule?
A player needs to be on the inactive (injury) list for a minimum of one week if he sits out due to rest. This, on average, would cause the player to miss 3-4 games.
Who is the best on ball defender in the NBA?
Marcus Smart’s defense is top-notch. He’s relentless and can fight for 48 minutes straight. There’s no way to get around him, and he always causes problems with his pesky, suffocating defense.
