What is ISO in Basketball?

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ISO in basketball refers to an offensive play where the player with the ball is in isolation against a single defender. 

Usually, the rest of the offensive players will clear out from a specific area of the basketball court so that the man with the ball can attack his defender one on one. This play is utilized when the offensive player thinks he has a distinct advantage over the defensive player and believes his odds of scoring are higher than usual. 

When is ISO used in basketball?

An ISO play can be used at any time during a basketball game. You will see it commonly used when a bigger player is matched up against a smaller player. The bigger player will usually post up the smaller player and try to get close to the hoop for an easy shot. 

Contrastingly, you will also see a smaller player run an ISO play against a larger player as the smaller player is more versatile and can usually navigate away from the larger player for an easy shot. 

What does an ISO play in basketball look like?
It depends on what player you’re running an ISO play for. If it’s a guard, you will commonly see all offensive players go to the baseline or under the basket while the player with the ball will be at the top of the key

Sometimes a guard or wing player will be on one side of the court and wave everyone off, so the rest of the offensive players will go to the other side of the court.

If you’re running an ISO play for a power forward or center, it’s common for this to be in the post. A guard will pass the ball to the larger player in the post and then clear to the top of the key or the other side of the court. 

Who are the top players who run ISO plays in basketball?

Here are some of the top players in the NBA at ISO basketball:

1. James Harden

James Harden has typically run the most isolation plays over the past few seasons. He led the league in ISO plays last year, with 31.8% of his plays being ISO. This has occurred with him less as the NBA has changed the rules, so he can’t bait defenders for fouls as much anymore.

 Harden was very good at hooking other players or getting in their way and flailing for a foul call during ISO plays which would grant him free throws. Thankfully the NBA changed its rules so Harden’s foul baiting and unnatural movements would no longer result in a free throw marathon. 

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SGA runs ISO and plays second most of any NBA player at 27.7%. In this case, the Oklahoma City Thunder are not a very good team, and he is their best player. Seeing how he’s the team’s best chance to score, they will isolate him regularly in hopes that he can hunt down an easy basket. 

3. Pascal Siakam

Siakam is a very long and athletic player for the Toronto Raptors. His ability to handle the ball, court vision to find an open player, and skills to score the ball in the basket makes him a no-brainer ISO candidate for his team.

4. Luka Doncic 

Doncic is one of the most skilled players in the game of basketball today. His ability to dribble, drive, and shoot the three make him one of the best ISO players in the game today.

What type of defense works best against ISO plays?

Typically an offense will run ISO plays when the defense is playing man-to-man defense. Since the goal of an ISO play is to get a single player with the ball going against a single defender with the intention of getting a good shot, a man’s defense would fit perfectly into that from an offensive standpoint.

A zone defense would work well against an ISO play because each defender is assigned to a specific and equitable area of the floor. 

Although you stay with the player who is in your general area, in a zone defense, it isn’t uncommon to guard all 5 players on the court during a single possession. This type of defense makes it more difficult for the offense to get an isolated drive or shot from a more skilled offensive player. 

Summary

Iso basketball is becoming the standard in the NBA and even college basketball in today’s games. As the players get more and more athletic, the need for motion offenses to create shots for players becomes less needed as iso players have the ability to create their own shots with their superior athleticism.

The whole point of set offensive systems is to create open looks for players, and with good iso players, the need to do so goes out the window. So the next time you’re watching what looks like basketball players standing around in the NBA, realize there is a method to the madness!