Some of the most thrilling moments during a basketball game are those that come down to the final seconds. When there is an ISO moment, which means the most talented player has the ball and is looking to take the game’s final shot, the last seconds stand out. An ISO moment is a one-on-one battle where both teams are trying to stop the shot or score.
What types of basketball players tend to be ISO players? What happens when ISO plays occur, and what is everyone else doing during those moments? The following is a complete explanation of what an ISO in basketball means.
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Is ISO the Same as One vs. One?
NBA, WNBA, High School, and NCAA basketball games don’t feature one-on-one matchups. It is possible, however, for the game to become an isolated moment when one player plays against another. Despite the fact that there are eight other players on the court, the ISO game tends to feel like a one-on-one matchup.
When Do ISO Moments Occur in a Basketball Game?
In the final moments of a basketball game, the most talented offensive player usually has the ball alone against one other defender. In a basketball game, ISO moments can also occur during the last seconds of any quarter. This is because the team is trying to get the final shot before the game ends. However, the last play to win or lose a game is when this moment receives the most attention.
What Basketball Player Tends to be the ISO Player on the Team?
The star player on the team usually plays isolation plays, such as the point guard or shooting guard. Consider some of the most successful players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Lebron James, etc. In the final seconds of a game, these are the players you want to have the ball so that they can either tie the game or win it.
Your isolation player tends to be the one with the hot hand on your team if you don’t have an All-Star. It is usually the players who are having a stellar game who take the last shot.
Whenever possible, they put their most capable defender on defense against the ISO.
What Creates an ISO Ball Moment?
An ISO ball moment occurs at the end of a basketball game or quarter. There is usually a tie between both teams or a difference of three points or fewer. Due to the close proximity of the final seconds or quarter, teams tend to run the ISO. It is a playing style in which the ball is kept in a team’s possession until the final seconds of a quarter.
What is an example of an ISO Moment During a Game?
Assume that team A is ahead by two points with 18 seconds left. Since there are 18 seconds left in the match, the shot clock doesn’t matter anymore since there are 24 seconds on the clock. It is the last chance for Team B to make a two-pointer or win the game with a three-pointer.
Team B’s coach calls for an isolation play during the final seconds of the match. Let’s pretend that Lebron James is on your team so that he gets the ball during the ISO. Lebron James will dribble up the court and begin taking time off the clock. As soon as he crosses the center of the court, he might continue to dribble since that also subtracts time.
There are 9 seconds left on the clock as Lebron James dribbles. There is a risk involved with passing the ball to a teammate. This is because there may be a turnover or the ball might get out of bounds. This means the other team gets the ball if Lebron’s team made the last touch. To tie the game or win it, Lebron James will either drive to the hoop or shoot a three-pointer. If the game ends in a tie, Lebron should take the final shot with two seconds remaining on the clock.
What Do the Other Players Do on the Court?
In NBA games, the whole team doesn’t stand around waiting for an isolation moment. By running around the court, they attempt to fool the defense into staying with them. It might seem obvious that one player will take the final shot. However, offensive players cannot sit back and wait, or else defensive players will swarm the ISO player to prevent them from shooting.
A ball handler may take the last shot or call for a pick-and-roll play or ball screen to be performed by their teammate. This is to be performed during the final seconds of the play. Screens are set to create space for the ball handler to shoot the game’s final shot via a step back or layup.
What Does the Opposing Team’s Defender Do During the ISO?
Defenders guarding ISO players need to be aware of the clock and the ball handler. It’s imperative for the defender to play close to the ball handler, but not too close that they can get by them with a crossover.
It is common for defenders to keep a reasonable distance from the ball handler near center court because a shot from that distance has a low probability of scoring. The defender needs to be more aggressive when the ball handler gets closer to the basket.
Why Can’t the Defense Double Team During ISO Basketball?
During basketball, double-teaming against the ball handler is not prohibited by any rule. Teams don’t do that right away because they don’t want to leave an offensive player open. As soon as you double team the ball handler, they can pass it to an open teammate for the final shot.
Conclusion: What Does ISO Mean in Basketball?
A basketball ISO moment occurs during the final seconds of any quarter. In order to win or tie a game, a team wants their best player to take the last shot. Those players possess superior ball-handling skills and are excellent shooters.
When an ISO moment is forming, fans will usually be on their feet watching in anticipation. There is something special about watching two elite superstars face off one against one at the same time.