When 1990s firebrand and two-time NBA champion Vernon Maxwell recently declared Alex English as the best 1-on-1 player of his era, NBA Twitter raised its collective eyebrow. English? The smooth, unbothered bucket-getter who rarely made headlines but always made the net sing?
Mad Max stood on it, and honestly, the more we thought about it, the more it made sense. Because 1-on-1 isn’t about flash or fame. It’s about buckets. So we took Maxwell’s take as a challenge.
Who were the true 1-on-1 kings of each NBA decade? Who ran the isolation game when it mattered most, from Wilt to Jordan, Kobe to Luka? Here are our picks for the best one-on-one players of every NBA decade. Let the debates begin.
1950s
1. George Mikan
2. Bob Cousy
3. Dolph Schayes
4. Bill Sharman
5. Harry Gallatin
At 6'10" with impeccable footwork and ambidextrous hook shots, Mikan was the NBA’s first true isolation force. He led the league in scoring three times, grabbed over 4,000 rebounds in his seven-year career, and powered the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships so dominant that the league widened the foul lane (“Mikan Rule”) and introduced goaltending rules. Mikan was the first player who was completely unstoppable in 1-on-1 situations.
Though he didn’t have Mikan’s size, Bob Cousy was a wizard in isolation, using lightning crossovers and crafty ball-handling to freeze defenders. His creativity in using change-of-pace dribbles and pivots allowed him to create and score off nearly any defender. He regularly kicked into mid-range pull-ups, and his ability to read and react in isolation was unmatched among guards of his era.
A physical power forward with a smooth mid-range jumper, Schayes averaged 18.5 PPG over his career and was a perennial All-Star (12 selections). His face-up game, complete with powerful drives and pinpoint shooting, made him a top-tier isolation threat, especially valuable before big men packed the paint.
A deadly outside shooter before the introduction of the 3‑point line, Sharman’s quick release and shooting accuracy made him one of the toughest isolation matchups. He was among the first guards to master the pull-up short jumper, freezing defenders and consistently hitting clutch shots. His form and discipline in isolation were precursors to modern catch-and-shoot mechanics.
Known for his physicality, Gallatin carved up defenses inside with relentless post moves and a strong frame. Though not flashy, he excelled in body-up isolations, using his strength under the hoop to score second-chance points and defend physical ISO situations at both ends.
1960s
1. Wilt Chamberlain
2. Jerry West
3. Oscar Robertson
4. Elgin Baylor
5. Hal Greer
A statistical phenomenon, Wilt Chamberlain dominated one-on-one with an arsenal of dunks, finger rolls, fadeaways, and towering athleticism. He led the NBA in points seven times and rebounds 11 times, posted 118 career 50+ point games, and even led the league in assists once, testament to his vision in half-court ISO scenarios. His freakish strength (e.g., bench-pressing delivery workers), 50" vertical, and explosive post footwork made him nearly unstoppable.
“Mr. Clutch” had one of the purest mid-range strokes ever. Jerry West's footwork and ability to create space with a jab step + pull-up was theater in ISO form. He famously knocked down a near-full-court buzzer-beater in Game 3 of the 1970 Finals, wading past defenders and calmly dropping a 60‑footer. Jerry West's scoring average of 27.0 PPG ranks 7th all-time.
“The Big O” combined size, speed, and scoring versatility; able to pull up, drive, or post up. He averaged a triple-double over a season and could exploit mismatches in isolation from either guard or forward spots, using footwork and change-of-direction to create scoring chances. His 1964 Playoffs performance, doubling as a primary scorer and playmaker in isolation, showed his all-around threat as an unstoppable 1-on-1 player.
A pioneer of hang-time, Elgin Baylor brought footwork, floaters, and aerial creativity to isolation scoring. He averaged over 26 PPG in seven seasons (and averaged at least 30 PPG three times) despite constant contact, famously catching body blows and finishing through them. His court artistry, one-legged fadeaways, reverse layups, made him an ISO artist decades ahead of his time.
Hal Greer was the consummate one-on-one threat in the 1960s, and we will give him his credit. A 6'2" guard whose jumper from the top of the key was trusted to hit consistently, Greer averaged at least 20 PPG for seven consecutive seasons after the Nationals became the 76ers in 1963. Racking up over 21,000 career points (the franchise’s record), Greer punted in ten straight All-Star appearances and garnered seven All-NBA Second Team nods.
1970s
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2. George Gervin
3. Julius Erving
4. Pete Maravich
5. Elvin Hayes
Towering at 7'2", Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s unstoppable skyhook was the ultimate ISO weapon. He captured two scoring titles, won six MVPs, and routinely dominated both scoring and efficiency metrics. His signature footwork and consistency, averaging at least 30 PPG in four seasons, forced defenders into helpless fouls every time he stepped into that mean zone. Before LeBron James broke his record, Kareem was the greatest scorer the NBA has ever seen in terms of volume.
George “The Iceman” Gervin was cool, calm, and unguardable in isolation. He led the NBA in scoring four times during the decade and finished with a career 25.1 PPG average. His signature finger roll, mid-range pull-ups, and efficient shot selection turned any one-on-one into a highlight reel. In case you want to know how good Gervin was, look at Kevin Durant because he was the first player of this type.
Injecting ABA flair into the NBA in '76, Dr. J used aerial artistry, floaters, spins, and graceful drives to dominate ISO play. His athleticism and creativity made opponents look static, as he consistently commanded ball-in-hand possessions. His isolation handles were a bridge between finesse and force, and he is easily one of the greatest players of his era and all-time.
“Pistol Pete” Maravich brought flair to ISO matchups with dazzling dribble moves and step-back jumpers. In 1976-77, he averaged 31.1 PPG, scored 68 in one game (a guard’s record at the time), and routinely dropped 40+ points in dazzling isolation duels. His creativity redefined ISO artistry with bullets, hesitation dribbles, and circus finishes, and we never got to witness a long career from the Hall of Famer due to a tragedy that took his life.
A brute in ISO sets, Elvin Hayes averaged 23.7 PPG and 14.5 RPG over the decade, earning six All-NBA nods and winning a scoring title in his rookie season (28.4 PPG). His power dribble, drop-step, and mid-range jumper made him a physical mismatch in one-on-ones, a consistent ISO grinder at his peak.
1980s
1. Michael Jordan
2. Larry Bird
3. Dominique Wilkins
4. Alex English
5. Adrian Dantley
Even at a young age, with five seasons played in the 1980s, Michael Jordan perfected ISO basketball with elite footwork, explosive first steps, and clutch mid-range finishes. From 1985 through 1989, he averaged 32.6 PPG, hit countless game-winners off isolations, and won three scoring titles and an MVP award. No defender could fully stop “Air” once he shifted into ISO mode, and we haven't even gotten to the 1990s decade yet.
Larry Bird’s IQ made him a supreme ISO threat; he used jab steps, pump fakes, and deep-range pull-ups to dismantle defenses. His accuracy in late-clock situations and ability to post-up smaller guards made him brutal in isolation, delivering dagger threes and mid-range bombs regularly. Bird posted 25.0 PPG over the decade, and he is mainly responsible for saving the NBA before Jordan arrived.
Dominique Wilkins terrorized defenders with a 30.3-PPG scoring-title season in 1985-86, bookended by five consecutive All-Star nods in the 1980s and a Slam Dunk Contest crown (1985) that showcased the raw elevation behind his isolation slashes. Operating almost exclusively from clear-outs on the left wing, he twice led the league in field-goal attempts (24.3 FGA in '86 and 25.1 FGA in '88).
Vernon Maxwell’s pick for 1-on-1 supremacy in the ’80s, Alex English, was smooth and efficient. He led the NBA in scoring for the Denver Nuggets in 1983 (28.4 PPG), hit 2,000+ PPG eight straight seasons, and had a mid-range jumper that defenders simply couldn’t contest.
Standing just 6'5", Adrian Dantley bullied the block like a power forward, winning scoring titles in 1980-81 and 1983-84 while ripping off four straight 30-PPG seasons and seven years (1980-86) of 29.6 PPG on an absurd 56.2% shooting. The Jazz forward’s herky-jerky isolation cadence was even more remarkable considering he played on custom shoe inserts to offset a two-inch leg-length discrepancy.
1990s
1. Michael Jordan
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Karl Malone
4. Clyde Drexler
5. David Robinson
Jordan perfected 1-on-1 scoring in the 1990s by combining elite footwork, killer mid-range shooting, and unmatched competitiveness. In the '91-'93 three-peat, he averaged over 30 PPG while shooting above 50 % from the field, including a career-best 53.9% in 1990-91, punctuated by a 55-point eruption and a 41 PPG Finals average in 1993, all driven by his ISO prowess in crunch time. No doubt, Jordan owned the 1990s and seven scoring titles closes any argument about that.
Hakeem Olajuwon dominated one-on-one matchups with his signature “Dream Shake,” a series of fakes, spins, and touches that left defenders flailing. Between 1990 and 1999, he averaged a stout 23.9 PPG and 11.6 RPG, while leading a Rockets team to two NBA titles. After Jordan, there is no doubt that Hakeem was the best player in the decade.
Karl Malone earned his “Mailman” nickname by delivering punishing low-post isolation offense season after season. He averaged 27.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 3.7 APG between 1990 and 1999, shooting an impressive 53.1% FG. Malone twice captured MVP honors (1997, 1999) and led Utah to consecutive Finals appearances, showcasing postseason isolation brilliance with averages north of 24 PPG in those series.
Clyde “The Glide” Drexler brought a rare combination of scoring, playmaking, and athleticism to isolation play, averaging 20.9 PPG over the decade. Drexler’s smooth handle, ability to attack off the dribble, and finishing dexterity made him one of the most versatile ISO wing options of the decade.
David Robinson combined incredible athleticism and finesse when it came to 1-on-1 situations. Even while winning Defensive Player of the Year, he also posted 24.4 PPG over the 1990s, highlighting elite two-way ISO play. The 1994 season saw him go for a career-high 71 points in a single game, and he would go on to win a scoring title by posting 29.8 PPG.
2000s
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Allen Iverson
3. Shaquille O’Neal
4. Tracy McGrady
5. Dirk Nowitzki
Kobe Bryant was the embodiment of high-volume, high-stakes isolation scoring in the mid‑2000s. No surprise, Kobe won two scoring titles and had an iconic 81-point game that still stands the test of time because the shooting guard hit that mark despite getting double and triple-teamed. Across the decade, Kobe averaged 28.2 PPG on a 45.7% from the field, and he combined footwork, agility, and killer instinct to turn nearly any ISO possession into a highlight or a bucket.
Allen Iverson was the compact, lightning-quick ISO guard of the early 2000s, averaging 28.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 3.6 RPG across the decade while churning out ISO volume and impact nightly. Despite his miniature size, his fearless ISO mentality, crossovers, hesitation dribbles, pull-up mid-range, and floaters consistently overwhelmed defenses, most notably in the seasons when he won four scoring titles.
Shaquille O’Neal was the quintessential ISO juggernaut in the post during the 2000s, averaging 23.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, and 2.7 APG across 662 games from 2000-2009. Winning a single scoring title, there was simply no answer for the most dominant player in NBA history, not named Wilt Chamberlain. When Shaq backed you down in the paint in the early 2000s, the game often ended in a foul or a dunk, making him the era’s most dominant isolation center by far.
Tracy McGrady showcased his one-on-one brilliance in a storied 62-point explosion on March 10, 2004, drilling 20-for-37 shots and demonstrating ISO mastery with mid-range and deep looks sprinkled in. His ability to single-handedly carry games without elite athleticism or size marked him as one of the most underrated iso wing scorers of his era. How many players can score 13 points in 33 seconds like T-Mac did once he arrived in Houston?
Dirk Nowitzki transformed big-man isolation with his trademark one-legged fadeaway, earning a place in the 50-40-90 club in 2006-07 and posting 23.6 PPG over the 2000s decade. His unguardable fadeaway, perfected since his teens, made him lethal from 10 feet to the arc, and he is one of the first dominant shooting big men in NBA history.
2010s
1. Kevin Durant
2. James Harden
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Kyrie Irving
5. LeBron James
Kevin Durant ranked among the NBA’s most efficient ISO scorers during the 2010s, regularly sinking baskets with remarkable fluidity from all three levels. With four scoring titles to his name, KD is regarded as arguably the most talented scorer of all time because he stands 6'11" and can shoot over any defender. Durant’s unguardable mid-range pull-ups, high-arcing threes, and ability to finish through contact made him the prototypical ISO threat of the decade.
James Harden rewrote the rulebook on isolation scoring with his trademark step-backs, drive-and-kick creativity, and free-throw drawing prowess. His penchant for breaking down defenses, manipulating space with long dribble setups, and punishing help-side weaknesses solidified his reputation as the decade’s premier ISO maestro. With three scoring titles and two assist titles, Harden would get triple-teamed as soon as he passed half-court, and quite frankly, we hadn't seen that before.
Carmelo Anthony's isolation game was built on elite mid-range craft and relentless post-up force. Between 2010 and 2015, he averaged 26.4 PPG while shooting 45.0% from the field, showing off his ability to dominate single-matchup plays. He dropped 62 in a single game in 2014 and won a scoring title, making him a nearly unstoppable 1-on-1 player.
Kyrie Irving is still going strong in the 2020s, but he made his name in the 2010s. Kyrie is the best ball-handler we have ever seen, and his scoring is defined by tight-window pull-ups and fearless finishes through multiple defenders. Irving’s handle-to-finish mastery created separation and miss-resistant shots when defenses collapsed, cementing his ISO legacy.
In the 2010s, LeBron James seamlessly blended brute power, elite skill, and intelligence in ISO contexts. Whether bulldozing smaller guards with drive finishes or negotiating with crafty post-ups, he averaged 26.9 PPG over the decade and 52.9% from the field. James is often criticized for not having an offensive "bag", but as long as he can use his physical gifts, he will dominate 1-on-1 situations.
2020s
1. Luka Doncic
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. Joel Embiid
4. Nikola Jokic
5. Jayson Tatum
Luka Doncic has led the modern game in terms of offensive creation in 1-on-1 situations. He has posted 30.0 PPG in the 2020s while winning a scoring title and averaging under 27 PPG once (his rookie season). His size, step-backs, step-throughs, and court vision allow him to split defenses or create for others seamlessly, and he could just be getting started.
Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates one-on-one play through sheer power, size, and explosiveness. In 2024, he posted 30.4 PPG on 61.1% shooting, mainly relying on aggressive ISO drives and face-up power finishes around the rim. Few defenders can match his combination of length and physicality, often forcing double teams and easy outlets.
Joel Embiid asserted himself as a modern ISO center, combining post toughness with face-up spacing. Despite his injury history, the center is posting 29.6 PPG in the 2020s and has zero weaknesses offensively. With two scoring titles (30.6 PPG in 2022 and 33.1 PPG in 2023) and an MVP award to his name, Embiid is easily one of the greatest offensive centers ever.
Nikola Jokic has redefined ISO play as a center with uncanny passing instincts and grounded craft. Averaging 25.6 PPG and 8.7 APG on 57.7% from the field, he penetrates mismatches by freezing defenders with fakes, making accurate post reads, or slipping extra passes into cutters. Even if he is known for his passing, the three-time MVP destroys any defender in 1-on-1 situations.
Superstar Jayson Tatum regularly morphs into isolation mode with his blend of strength, footwork, and range. The six-time All-Star has posted 26.8 PPG by initiating ISO sets from the elbow or wing. His patented pump-fake jumper and smooth drives make him hard to scout in pick-and-roll or isolation. In terms of raw offensive bag, Tatum ranks among the top five right now.
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