Isolation Leaders

These ten players utilize the clear-out more than anyone else in the league. Who's effective and who isn't?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have two wins this season, both of which have come against the Lakers. Many predicted OKC to be the worst team in the NBA this season, and that may be an accurate projection. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be an All-Star one day. His chances are tough in a Western Conference loaded with superstar guards, and his team's record certainly won't help his case, unless they got to play the Lakers everyday.

SGA has torched Los Angeles in both of their meetings this year, erupting for 27 and 28 points in two huge comeback wins, or what you might call two major meltdowns by the purple and gold. LeBron didn't play in either matchup, but this isn't about him. It's about an incredible young star who spearheads a list of isolation-heavy scorers in the NBA.

While SGA doesn't have the most impressive FG% in isolation possessions on this list, the volume at which he takes these clear-out shots is very impressive in relation to how often he scores on them.

If you notice everyone else on this list, they're all superstars, and whether you consider Khris Middleton one is up to you. Regardless, this is an incredible group of guys. This graph is comprised of the ten players in the NBA that utilize isolation more often per game than anyone else. They're the guys in pickup games that tell everyone to clear the runway and let them do their thing off the dribble from the top of the key.

There are certain players on this list who stick out because we know their potential and how good they are at scoring the basketball. Take Jayson Tatum, for example. One of the best young players in all the land has proved how integral he is to the Celtics, and as he struggles, so do they. That 28% clip in clear-outs by Tatum is not going to get it done, and it seems like a given that he'll turn it around. After all, Marcus Smart did call him and Jaylen Brown out for taking too many shots? It's unclear who Smart would rather have take shots late in games, but I'm sure most C's fans want the ball in the hands of either Tatum or Brown in crunch time.

These numbers come from anytime during the game, though, not just the important moments. Tatum is evidently the straggler of the group in regards to these top-ten iso utilitarians, but not far ahead are two big-time bucket-getters that are also struggling. Luka Doncic is much better at iso-ball than his 36% clip would indicate, but his three-point percentage throughout his career is starkly similar to that number, and he does take a lot of stepback threes in isolation. Joel Embiid sits at 38% in isolation possessions, but it's not the accuracy that seems troublesome. Rather, Embiid should be increasing his volume in this category. He is close to unstoppable when prototypical centers are guarding him on the perimeter, and his game is built for these matchups. His productivity should increase with his volume as the season carries on.

The circled subgroup in the figure illustrates a solid efficiency from the likes of Khris Middleton, Paul George, and Julius Randle. Middleton hasn't been entirely himself this season, and the Bucks are dealing with health issues early on in the year, so there's no problem here with someone who is doing just fine in regards to isolation. PG is carrying the Clippers, not always to wins, but is doing what a leader should do: lead by example. Alexa, who's leading the National Basketball Association in scoring this season? 28.9 PPG from Playoff-P and it's not even the postseason yet. Hopefully he can will his team into the playoffs and keep up the good work. Julius Randle has drastically improved upon his jumper in recent years, and isn't afraid to shoot threes off the dribble. He is also great at getting inside the paint after breaking down his defender, and that's why he's top ten in isolation possessions so far this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden play two vastly different games, but don't ask Harden if the Greek Freak is skilled. Maybe James changed his mind on that infamous statement after the Bucks beat the Nets in the Second Round last year. Even still, it's no surprise to see either of these guys here, and any team would want them to be their isolation leaders. Wait, there's one more guy on this graph. He also plays for the Nets.

Kevin Durant is shooting an insane clip of 68% in isolation this season, but his volume is way down compared to what it should be. He can score at will, over anybody, from anywhere on the court. Everyone knows James Harden can get buckets in isolation, and while he is one of the best of all time to do so, he still might not be the best option on the team to do it.