Gilbert Arenas believes the 76ers are filled with players that need the ball in their hands, and he thinks that is nothing new. They can still win despite what others are saying.
The misconception of 'iso-ball' is that it’s heavily reliant on one player holding the ball and making moves to try and get a basket. That’s usually a recipe for disaster, as that means there's no movement and offensive movements, just stationary players watching the ball. For the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s going to be more than that for the championship-aspired unit.
If you let Gilbert Arenas tell it, there’s nothing wrong with playing iso ball. On his own show, The Gilbert Arenas Show, he details how this team has all the tools for the isolation theory to work when you have players like LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on the team.
“Didn’t Jaylen Brown win a championship playing option two or three? He understands to sit in a corner, swing, swing, swing, get it, and drive. He was successful doing that.” Arenas proclaimed.
Arenas continues to compare this to the same thing as playing for USA basketball and how they won a gold medal despite all the stars on the team. Therefore, this Philadelphia team is filled with superstars, and they can learn how to sacrifice and do what needs to be done to win. He even detailed what each starter's role is going to be within the team.
“[Joel] Embiid’s been hurt, but he’s been hurt; the ball is going to him, period. VJ [Edgecombe], up and coming, understands his role. [Tyrese] Maxey knows how to play off the ball; LeBron James is the playmaker.”
Arenas is right with almost everything he said. This team knows how to play basketball, and it’s not like it’ll be their first time playing. The other big thing to note is this isn’t a super young team that’s trying to make a name for themselves. This is a very balanced team that knows what winning is about.
However, the idea of a complete isoball may not be as effective as he thinks. Now, if we’re talking about design plays that free up a specific player, then yes, that would make more sense. But, bringing up the ball and acting like this is streetball isn’t going to work in this new age of basketball.
What can’t be overstated enough is just how to get everyone involved so that the goal of a championship is possible. Jaylen Brown may be the star on this team, but the one who’s going to really get this offense going will be Maxey. His scoring ability is going to help the team whenever they get into a lull offensively. Everyone knows what James brings, and Embiid is the guy who holds down the paint.
The team will go as far as this starting unit takes them, and if they run ISO plays that end with everyone touching the ball, it's a long day for the opposing team.
