How would you rank the best isolation scorers ever?

[FrodoBaggins]

I'm going to miss some names here, especially players from older eras. Name any that I've forgotten. As far as what constitutes an isolation play, I feel like there are three general contexts: from the triple threat, with a live dribble, and in the post.

With that out of the way, here are the top candidates and a list of honorable mentions:

Candidates: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Adrian Dantley.

Honorable mention: James Worthy, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Damian Lillard, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Kevin McHale, Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic.

That would probably be my top ten. It's hard to judge the post-up bigs. I don't know how to slot them into the mix. McHale, Abdul-Jabbar, Barkley, and Olajuwon would be my picks.

Harden has the craziest numbers for the players for whom we have player-tracking statistics. But his efficacy drops in the postseason, which I think is due to overreliance on foul-drawing, the high variance of the three-point shot, and a lack of a strong middle game. His isolation game isn't as diverse as others and, therefore, not as robust. Still, strong playoff numbers on the whole, with an exceptional peak.

Shai and Luka don't have Harden's explosive first step and GOAT-level foul-drawing, but their handles are comparable, and unlike James, their middle games are truly elite.

KD's size allows him to shoot over anyone and use the post like Dirk, but he doesn't have the strength to do it all night. His shooting is perhaps the best of the bunch, but he settles for outside shots because of physical weakness and is often turnover-prone due to a shaky handle.

Kyrie has maybe the best combination of shooting and ball handling. However, he lacks the size, strength, and power to handle physicality and apply rim and foul pressure.

Kawhi is an interesting one; he's too frequently injured for me to get an accurate read on. He might just be the best of the 21st century when healthy, which is saying a lot. Incredibly strong, automatic mid-range shot, super tight and effective handle.

Dirk has the best blend of size, strength, and skill. Kobe and Michael have the best combination of size, athleticism, and skill. And Dantley is the most unique and maybe the most unstoppable.

If I had to tier them up, I'd have them like this:

TIER 1: MJ, Dantley, Dirk, Kawhi
TIER 2: Kobe, KD, Harden, Luka, Shai
TIER 3: Kyrie

Luka and Shai have time to move up into TIER 1. Need to see more playoff action from them. Kyrie, KD, and Harden are pretty much set in stone. Don't see anything changing there.

[Ruma85]

I'm going to miss some names here, especially players from older eras. Name any that I've forgotten. As far as what constitutes an isolation play, I feel like there are three general contexts: from the triple threat, with a live dribble, and in the post.

With that out of the way, here are the top candidates and a list of honorable mentions:

Candidates: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Adrian Dantley.

Honorable mention: James Worthy, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Damian Lillard, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Kevin McHale, Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic.

That would probably be my top ten. It's hard to judge the post-up bigs. I don't know how to slot them into the mix. McHale, Abdul-Jabbar, Barkley, and Olajuwon would be my picks.

Harden has the craziest numbers for the players for whom we have player-tracking statistics. But his efficacy drops in the postseason, which I think is due to overreliance on foul-drawing, the high variance of the three-point shot, and a lack of a strong middle game. His isolation game isn't as diverse as others and, therefore, not as robust. Still, strong playoff numbers on the whole, with an exceptional peak.

Shai and Luka don't have Harden's explosive first step and GOAT-level foul-drawing, but their handles are comparable, and unlike James, their middle games are truly elite.

KD's size allows him to shoot over anyone and use the post like Dirk, but he doesn't have the strength to do it all night. His shooting is perhaps the best of the bunch, but he settles for outside shots because of physical weakness and is often turnover-prone due to a shaky handle.

Kyrie has maybe the best combination of shooting and ball handling. However, he lacks the size, strength, and power to handle physicality and apply rim and foul pressure.

Kawhi is an interesting one; he's too frequently injured for me to get an accurate read on. He might just be the best of the 21st century when healthy, which is saying a lot. Incredibly strong, automatic mid-range shot, super tight and effective handle.

Dirk has the best blend of size, strength, and skill. Kobe and Michael have the best combination of size, athleticism, and skill. And Dantley is the most unique and maybe the most unstoppable.

If I had to tier them up, I'd have them like this:

TIER 1: MJ, Dantley, Dirk, Kawhi
TIER 2: Kobe, KD, Harden, Luka, Shai
TIER 3: Kyrie

Luka and Shai have time to move up into TIER 1. Need to see more playoff action from them. Kyrie, KD, and Harden are pretty much set in stone. Don't see anything changing there.

I know Dantley was very good but if you put him there Kobe should be there as well.

[BrianInPhilly]

Interesting post. I'll add this perspective too of differentiating iso scoring vs. Great defenders, average defenders, and weak defenders. Some guys feast on mediocre defenders in isos but their bag or lack of size limits them against great defenders. So "the best" vs average defenders could be very different than "the best" vs great defenders. A guy like Dirk for example - his greatness and iso scoring is top top tier vs. great defenders, but other guys probably got him beat based off talent alone vs average defenders. Dirk once he shored up some minor weaknesses in his game - from say 2007-2011 could score off any guy. Literally anyone from KG, Lebron, Kenyon Martin, Batum, any lengthy forward defender or big you can think of. He could get his shot off, blow past a guy etc etc. But guys with more raw talent (Lebron, Jordan, even Durant probably) would probably "look better" vs. weaker defenders. Dirk was just so consistently great no matter who was guarding him.

[Swish1906]

Late Prime Dirk.

There was just nothing you could do against the one legged…

[Loneshot]

Luka has been garbage in the iso. I miss AD.

[The Explorer]

If I had to tier them up, I'd have them like this:

TIER 1: MJ, Dantley, Dirk, Kawhi
TIER 2: Kobe, KD, Harden, Luka, Shai
TIER 3: Kyrie

Luka and Shai have time to move up into TIER 1. Need to see more playoff action from them. Kyrie, KD, and Harden are pretty much set in stone. Don't see anything changing there.

Bryant is definitely in the same tier as MJ and Leonard

[FrodoBaggins]

I'm going to miss some names here, especially players from older eras. Name any that I've forgotten. As far as what constitutes an isolation play, I feel like there are three general contexts: from the triple threat, with a live dribble, and in the post.

With that out of the way, here are the top candidates and a list of honorable mentions:

Candidates: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Adrian Dantley.

Honorable mention: James Worthy, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Damian Lillard, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Kevin McHale, Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic.

That would probably be my top ten. It's hard to judge the post-up bigs. I don't know how to slot them into the mix. McHale, Abdul-Jabbar, Barkley, and Olajuwon would be my picks.

Harden has the craziest numbers for the players for whom we have player-tracking statistics. But his efficacy drops in the postseason, which I think is due to overreliance on foul-drawing, the high variance of the three-point shot, and a lack of a strong middle game. His isolation game isn't as diverse as others and, therefore, not as robust. Still, strong playoff numbers on the whole, with an exceptional peak.

Shai and Luka don't have Harden's explosive first step and GOAT-level foul-drawing, but their handles are comparable, and unlike James, their middle games are truly elite.

KD's size allows him to shoot over anyone and use the post like Dirk, but he doesn't have the strength to do it all night. His shooting is perhaps the best of the bunch, but he settles for outside shots because of physical weakness and is often turnover-prone due to a shaky handle.

Kyrie has maybe the best combination of shooting and ball handling. However, he lacks the size, strength, and power to handle physicality and apply rim and foul pressure.

Kawhi is an interesting one; he's too frequently injured for me to get an accurate read on. He might just be the best of the 21st century when healthy, which is saying a lot. Incredibly strong, automatic mid-range shot, super tight and effective handle.

Dirk has the best blend of size, strength, and skill. Kobe and Michael have the best combination of size, athleticism, and skill. And Dantley is the most unique and maybe the most unstoppable.

If I had to tier them up, I'd have them like this:

TIER 1: MJ, Dantley, Dirk, Kawhi
TIER 2: Kobe, KD, Harden, Luka, Shai
TIER 3: Kyrie

Luka and Shai have time to move up into TIER 1. Need to see more playoff action from them. Kyrie, KD, and Harden are pretty much set in stone. Don't see anything changing there.

I know Dantley was very good but if you put him there Kobe should be there as well.

Kobe was one of the greats, but AD had maybe the most impressive isolation game ever. There isn't a player in NBA history who had/has what he had. The only guy who could dominate in isolation at volume as both a shooter-slasher off the dribble + out of the triple threat, AND with his back to the basket inside like a big. Truly one of one. No one like him.

Watch on YouTube

[wojoaderge]

George Gervin
Bernard King

[FrodoBaggins]

Might have to bump up Jokic soon. He hit a vintage mid-post Dirk shot in the clutch tonight. He has that in his bag. If he couldn't pass, he'd still be an ATG due to his size, shooting, ball handling, and post-up game—he'd be like a Dirk-McHale mix.

[Ruma85]

I'm going to miss some names here, especially players from older eras. Name any that I've forgotten. As far as what constitutes an isolation play, I feel like there are three general contexts: from the triple threat, with a live dribble, and in the post.

With that out of the way, here are the top candidates and a list of honorable mentions:

Candidates: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Adrian Dantley.

Honorable mention: James Worthy, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Damian Lillard, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Kevin McHale, Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic.

That would probably be my top ten. It's hard to judge the post-up bigs. I don't know how to slot them into the mix. McHale, Abdul-Jabbar, Barkley, and Olajuwon would be my picks.

Harden has the craziest numbers for the players for whom we have player-tracking statistics. But his efficacy drops in the postseason, which I think is due to overreliance on foul-drawing, the high variance of the three-point shot, and a lack of a strong middle game. His isolation game isn't as diverse as others and, therefore, not as robust. Still, strong playoff numbers on the whole, with an exceptional peak.

Shai and Luka don't have Harden's explosive first step and GOAT-level foul-drawing, but their handles are comparable, and unlike James, their middle games are truly elite.

KD's size allows him to shoot over anyone and use the post like Dirk, but he doesn't have the strength to do it all night. His shooting is perhaps the best of the bunch, but he settles for outside shots because of physical weakness and is often turnover-prone due to a shaky handle.

Kyrie has maybe the best combination of shooting and ball handling. However, he lacks the size, strength, and power to handle physicality and apply rim and foul pressure.

Kawhi is an interesting one; he's too frequently injured for me to get an accurate read on. He might just be the best of the 21st century when healthy, which is saying a lot. Incredibly strong, automatic mid-range shot, super tight and effective handle.

Dirk has the best blend of size, strength, and skill. Kobe and Michael have the best combination of size, athleticism, and skill. And Dantley is the most unique and maybe the most unstoppable.

If I had to tier them up, I'd have them like this:

TIER 1: MJ, Dantley, Dirk, Kawhi
TIER 2: Kobe, KD, Harden, Luka, Shai
TIER 3: Kyrie

Luka and Shai have time to move up into TIER 1. Need to see more playoff action from them. Kyrie, KD, and Harden are pretty much set in stone. Don't see anything changing there.

I know Dantley was very good but if you put him there Kobe should be there as well.

Kobe was one of the greats, but AD had maybe the most impressive isolation game ever. There isn't a player in NBA history who had/has what he had. The only guy who could dominate in isolation at volume as both a shooter-slasher off the dribble + out of the triple threat, AND with his back to the basket inside like a big. Truly one of one. No one like him.

Watch on YouTube

Still think your making a mistake but it's your list, Kobe did this on purpose to prove a point, truth be told if he wanted to he could've shoot 50% from field instead of 45% he did.

[Patches Perry]

I feel like Luka is more dominant in the two-man game. He hunts matchups. He'd be on the list somewhere but not tier 1 or 2 imo.

Jordan is alone on tier 1 here. Most ridiculous 1st step ever, incredible mid-range game and finisher. Will have to think about the other tiers.

[JimmyFromNz]

Hon mention: Joe Johnson

6,7, 230-240 lbs, great handle, footwork and tempo.

Became a 7x all star largely predicated on his isolation scoring and ability to breakdown size, length, speed in matchups.

Notably one of clutchest players ever, 2nd all time buzzer beaters.

Perhaps not the calibre of some other big names, yet the nickname is a pretty good indicator.

[CobraCommander]

Jordan, Harden, Tmac, AI, Shaq…
Prime Rose, KD… Dirk
Honestly - when you start thinking about it- literally no great scorer can be stopped one on one…

[Marvin Martian]

I don't see how Jokic is not on this list. No one can guard him 1 on 1

[CIN-C-STAR]

Kareem
MJ

Hakeem
Shaq

Kobe

Lebron
KD
Steph

Wilt
Dirk
Kawhi
Jokic

That’s my top 12 in tiers

[Tracymcgoaty]

1.Tracy Mcgrady
































everyone else

[cornchip]

I'll guess I'll be the first...

It's hard to leave Lebron out of the top tier of this list. MJ did a fair amount of scoring off the catch. Kobe to an extent as well. Carmelo was more stylistically pleasing and had more variety. But Lebron was primarily an iso scorer and he's scored more points than anyone in the history of the NBA.

I think Lebron gets slept on because:

1. He was never a high PPG scorer
2. There's been so many "versions" of Lebron that we can take a small snapshot of his career and that version may have not been a great iso scorer.

2013-2018 late Heat/2nd Cavs stint Lebron may have been as unstoppable as it gets however. In addition to his elite finishing, he developed a nice post game, a stepback 3, and his face up game remained terrific. It took multiple elite perimeter defenders plus great help defenders and rim protectors to slow him.

I don't know exactly where he ranks, again I prefer guys like Melo and Iverson style wise, but I think he has to be near the top.

[FrodoBaggins]

Hon mention: Joe Johnson

6,7, 230-240 lbs, great handle, footwork and tempo.

Became a 7x all star largely predicated on his isolation scoring and ability to breakdown size, length, speed in matchups.

Notably one of clutchest players ever, 2nd all time buzzer beaters.

Perhaps not the calibre of some other big names, yet the nickname is a pretty good indicator.

Joe's isolation numbers aren't as good as his reputation suggests.

Graph from 2019:

[FrodoBaggins]

I'll guess I'll be the first...

It's hard to leave Lebron out of the top tier of this list. MJ did a fair amount of scoring off the catch. Kobe to an extent as well. Carmelo was more stylistically pleasing and had more variety. But Lebron was primarily an iso scorer and he's scored more points than anyone in the history of the NBA.

I think Lebron gets slept on because:

1. He was never a high PPG scorer
2. There's been so many "versions" of Lebron that we can take a small snapshot of his career and that version may have not been a great iso scorer.

2013-2018 late Heat/2nd Cavs stint Lebron may have been as unstoppable as it gets however. In addition to his elite finishing, he developed a nice post game, a stepback 3, and his face up game remained terrific. It took multiple elite perimeter defenders plus great help defenders and rim protectors to slow him.

I don't know exactly where he ranks, again I prefer guys like Melo and Iverson style wise, but I think he has to be near the top.

I agree on all points. I didn't specify career, prime, or peak. LBJ from 2013 to 2018 is for sure one of the best "primes."

We have play-type tracking statistics going back to 2013-14, and LBJ's are great:

[Raps in 4]

Jordan is tier 1. Kawhi is the only other player I'd consider putting in that tier, at least that I've watched.