The Generational Defender That Nobody Talks About

[@ic_glaze]

It's crazy how the Magic didn't give up on him after all those years of him being injured and the team being mediocre before 2022

[@piplonf8591]

They still are mediocre they need a playmaker and a taller center then they’ll be a franchise

[@jalynjones9136]

@@piplonf8591 they’re a playoff team they’re far from “mediocre”

[@jjcometa9333]

It's not like they had a choice. They couldn't trade him without giving up a draft pick. So might as well let his contract ride. Luckily for then it worked out

[@willjackson4354]

​@@piplonf8591Half game out of the 4th seed from no playoffs is mediocre?

[@brendonwallace6640]

@@piplonf8591they have a playmaker in banchero what are you talking about

[@michaelbietsch2864]

someone on twitter put it perfectly. Jonathan Isaac is like if you mixed the best defensive attributes of Jaden McDaniels and Nic Claxton

[@HoopVenue]

(this was my tweet) 😂

[@michaelbietsch2864]

@@HoopVenue oh damn haha, I though it was that nba university guy

[@kirillsergeyev7116]

That’s hard 🔥

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

​@@HoopVenuepay Michael now

[@itz.deerius4152]

@@michaelbietsch2864funny cause that guy is also a Magic fan

[@OrlandoMagic]

MINISTER OF DEFENSE 🗣

[@Bruhlie]

What up Orlando what you doing

[@G1LDV]

Orlando?????

[@haydenfreeman7685]

PLAY THE SONG

[@peykashoe]

Im glad he wasnt traded away. I was so sad when he got injured. Getting the recognition he deservessss!

[@WergoatedCoolkids]

❤

[@TrePrince]

He's been like this , he got better, but without injuries, he's a max player by now

[@HoopVenue]

That 2020 season was special

[@turneryoung905]

Name a max player who comes off the bench lol

[@TrePrince]

@turneryoung905 lmao, I said without the injuries, he's a max player. Without bad injuries, he's a 32 min game player. He's one of the best defenders in the league and has a good offensive game. All he has to do is shoot 3s at an above average percentage and that's max. Especially a couple yrs ago before the market changed

[@turneryoung905]

@@TrePrince even tho I’m quoting Allen Iverson’s why me rant about coming off the bench, going all the way back to his days at Florida State he has never shown the abilities offensively to demand a max especially when he himself said he actually needed the time off with injuries to completely overhaul his jumpshot and couldn’t have shot this well without the injuries. For right or wrong, the Golden State vs LeBron arms race era that ultimately end with KD going to the Warriors, really put a glass ceiling on the market value of one-dimensional calling card players like defensive stalwarts, the Tony Allen’s of the world, unless that calling card is insane offensive production like peak Dame, Steph, and Harden, or you’re insanely valuable to a championship team in every facet especially the elements that don’t show up in the box score like prime Draymond Green in 2016. Outside of that, on top of being a good to even elite rotational defender, you have to at least be a threat on offense in the last 4min in order to justifiably earn a max deal. The most severe example of why teams believe in that would be Ben Simmons.

[@TrePrince]

@turneryoung905 I'm sure he did get better at shooting during rehab. I also believe he would be an even better shooter and offensive player with those 3 yrs of in-game reps. He's a good passer , slasher, and he shoots decently 34% from 3. If he shot high 30%s, he could've easily gotten a max at the end of his rookie contract

[@iamjesuscolon]

As a diehard Magic fan who's been rooting for JI his whole career, it's insane how incredible he is as a defender. The ability to witness such defensive greatness is such a treasure.

[@blackedmirror5073]

I cried bro when he dropped that 9/12 shooting with steals boards and blocks the other night

[@iamjesuscolon]

@@blackedmirror5073 a night to remember, forever.

[@AClaiderman]

This is how I feel about the Thompson twins. Also Matisse Thybule. Shame he can’t shoot, but as a defender, beautiful to watch.

[@elitemidrange]

@@AClaidermanI think Ausar has some shooting potential. Amen I’ll have to see it to believe it lol. Both of them are already arguably elite on defense though. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@KNRS927]

Isaac has always been HIM on defense. He just could never stay healthy which was the sad part and his frame only makes him susceptible to injury. Hopefully he can stay healthy now.

[@AM-js6vs]

I've watched every Magic game this year, dude is an ELITE defender

[@Anthony01538]

Omg this might be one of the best highlight reels of blocks I’ve ever seen 😭

[@thenorthremembers728]

I'm saying 😭I knew dude was solid but some of the blocks are crazy💀

[@nono-qe2yq]

he's probably the best dunk blocker in the league.

[@ImTheGibby]

@@nono-qe2yq and probably the greatest chase-down/ trailing shot blockers as well

[@demarkusondatrack5646]

Im glad im not the only one that has noticed isaacs performance

[@HoopVenue]

Hard to miss!

[@AnareNaisoro]

Right!? I clicked on the video as soon as i saw JI on it💯

[@mikerosamleybarthelemy4690]

Don't really understand why they don't give him a 20 minutes-per-game...

[@lowkeyloki9973]

@@mikerosamleybarthelemy4690no point in risking injury in regular season. Should get more minutes in playoffs

[@kennn30]

8:52 Actually insane to see a near 7 footer stick with Malik Monk

[@purgedgene5699]

Go watch our games with the Knicks we usually put him on Brunson, and with the mavs we put him on Luka and they both have a hard time getting anything off on him

[@SuperWubDub]

​@@purgedgene5699that's insaneee I need to watch more J isaac

[@lowkeyloki9973]

@@purgedgene5699to be fair we usally put Franz on Brunson and switch with JI.

[@ImadogGarcia]

@@purgedgene5699 me as a Knicks fan can confirm. The question remains how durable he is in the playoffs. We`ll see

[@BOOPTUBERR]

@@purgedgene5699 ACtually my fav is the GIANNIS vs ISAAC games..oh mannn haha its insanity as Giannis tries to overpower him only to get stuffed not once but 3 times at the rim! hahahah

[@jeremywilcox8938]

As a magic fan watching him on offense I would say that he doesn’t have many limitations. He’s been shooting a lot better than most people think. He’s been shooting over 50 percent from three since the allstar break and he has an amazing putback.

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Imagine Jonathan Isaac stay healthy his whole CAREER DPOY 💯

[@paradiseproductions1313]

Thought I was the only one who realized how good he was on defense

[@HoopVenue]

You aren't alone!

[@LonghornsLegend]

Bro people have known this for years he's just always hurt. He's probably the most speculated trade that fan bases have always wanted them to do. Mavs been talking about this guy forever

[@roscoe007]

I wish he was on the Mavs @@LonghornsLegend

[@leonardo_da_g9168]

His name is Minister of Defense for a reason

[@ocopmat]

If you played fantasy during the 2019 season, he was a round 1-2 pick because of his defensive stats alone

[@jaypaulauskas7108]

Most excellent take and presentation! As a fanatic Magic fan I have Waited for this moment. JI will be discovered by the national media soon enough as the playoffs begin.

[@chad4075]

I love this magic team!I was born and raised in Orlando and I’ve been a fan since I was a kid and I feel like this core can be special.

[@tylerhatch8962]

I've been a JI stan since he was drafted. So happy to see him healthy and playing great

[@yamanithorpe6197]

Before Issac got hurt he was having 15 point 8 rebound 6 assist 5 block 4 steal games 🔥💯

[@112233JORDAN]

Suggs and JI are always giving their all on defense for the Magic. Very fun to watch.

[@re2d98av1]

WOW It’s HIM! He can read ball, game and have athleticism. ANOTHER LEVEL!

[@112233JORDAN]

Those few sequences from about 4:47 on showing his recovery really show how elite he is. He never gives up on the play, even when others would concede that they are beat. We saw the same tenacity with the Giannis block where he jumped 3 times. Most people arent doing all that tbh.

[@edraelsolas838]

Crazy how the Magic got two Elite Forwards (Paolo & Franz) to lead the offense and also two DOGS on defense (Isaac & Suggs). Their ceiling would be so high if they remain healthy.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

Paolo and Franz are both good defenders also. What they are lacking is dynamic scoring and a bit of playmaking. Franz is pretty creative, but there needs to be another guy.

[@edraelsolas838]

@@pinobluevogel6458 right? That one missing piece will push them to the top

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@edraelsolas838 Agreed. Though I wouldn't for the life of me know who that might be. If they go for a star, they might have to give up too much, but if they wait on the draft it might take a few years.

[@leonardo_da_g9168]

@@pinobluevogel6458Cj McCollum would be perfect

[@YourWorstNightmare3333]

Facts bruh and people still doubting the magic. They will know who the magic are this Saturday

[@hmohngcheelee7549]

I’m still surprised people sleep on Isaac, guy is still a great defender. Just had some injury issues that side lined him for a couple years. Edit: just finished the video. Yep we’re both on the same page. Great defender, but just had injury issues early on.

[@maniacslap1623]

Yeah fam. It’s like the Embiid situation. So many injuries at first but he’s a difference maker on defense when he’s healthy.

[@BOOPTUBERR]

his lateral is still there thank god!

[@Hustlekids]

I love this channel just wish u drop videos more often 🥲

[@HoopVenue]

I usually drop almost every day! I've just been out of town recently, gearing up for the playoffs!

[@Hustlekids]

@@HoopVenue 🔥

[@bigapeteejay48]

Glad to see a vid about him he was one of my favorites when he came into the league happy to see him healthy

[@rayneozier]

I don’t watch much college basketball. But I remember seeing Jonathan Isaac at Florida State and being enamored by his defense. I’m so glad he’s getting healthy and starting to put his talents on display

[@cwctlh]

FSU grad and fan, as well as a Tallahassee resident. It was a pleasure to watch him play at FSU.

[@joohyunglee1815]

Been a fan of Issac since 2019. He's an incredible defender. Really hope he can stay healthy cause he's one of those players that all championship teams need

[@MWtheTruth]

Been a big fan of Isaac for years. I'm glad to see he's finally healthy and ready to contribute to a playoff team.

[@NoahBelsly]

That recovery then block on Sabonis is fucking insane

[@panohot595]

Hopefully warriors will notice him. They really need that kind of player.

[@dantexkv9983]

Great minds think a like. Especially if we don’t have to give up too much 😭

[@3Krispe]

As a Heat fan, really glad to see Orlando thrive this season. One of the youngest cores and a very bright future if they keep it up. Glad they are out of purgatory. Would love to see series Orlando vs Heat in 1st round

[@KurtDangle_]

Magic is dada

[@loliksdessaboi351]

In my opinion next big defender, that almost nobydy talk is Jeremy Sochan. Since the first season he has constantly defended the best star of the opposing team, and he does it really well. I'm curious about your opinion about that.

[@hahasimplyz]

I need a this is not the same Coby White vid 😭✊

[@HoopVenue]

We shall see

[@improbablyyourdad8458]

This dude is a cheat code on 2k. He can literally lock up anyone.

[@nono-qe2yq]

Such a special defender. One of the best ive ever witnessed.

[@JosePereira-ly5fb]

thank you for the JI/Magic exposure 🙏🏼

[@jacobg4976]

Been to a lot of games this season & KIA gets LOUD for Judah. We love em down here and you can hear it every time he checks in/out. So glad Jeff never gave up on him. Great video, thanks for shining light on this guy, he’s a joy to watch. Go Magic

[@BOOPTUBERR]

its because hes weltmans ptototypical big! actually the MOLD ITSELF that other pics have followed

[@sld1776]

His Win Shares per 48 are .199, or world-class NBA production. But only in 15 minutes per game.

[@BOOPTUBERR]

at 15 mins..elite! no one comes close..french bread guy is too slow,,u kno the defensive player of the year that isaac is way better haha matter of fact hes stuffed both frenchmen before !

[@HughGRexion]

This made me want to watch my first Magic game of the season lol

[@duMaurier15]

NBA stats and analytics are just insane.. Like how are they able to keep track of a players fgs percents vs another player. Mind-blogging job.

[@HoopVenue]

Cameras and AI!

[@alondusfuller3325]

Before he originally got injured he was one of the best defenders in the league already now it’s more visible because he’s not a starter and he locking down and disrupting as soon as he gets on the court

[@sarj4918]

Best defender in the NBA

[@aggr0midget]

Fantastic video. Love breakdowns on defense. Liked and Favorited

[@Armandytalks]

best basketball channel on youtube

[@FLPanhandleliving]

I’m a magic fan and a day one JI fan. He’s as impressive off the court as he is on it. Happy to see him shutting the haters up from when he was injured and everyone was crying to trade him.

[@RasheedsChair]

Excellent breakdown. I’ve loved Isaac in 2k since he’s been in the league for every thing you you mentioned…just a shame he hasn’t been healthy regularly

[@donavinrideout7841]

About time man gets his due. With the talent in the league trending to versatile bigs he's only gonna increase in value as long as he's healthy

[@doublettoluca1991]

I remember a game against dallas when he covered porzingis and absolutely dominated him. Best individual defense ive ever seen.

[@vinnye930]

I'm so sick of hearing this about Jonathan isaac. I hear so many nba youtubers talk about isaac like he's kevin garnett. I remember afunkydiabetic once said in a video that Isaac was gonna win like 3 dpoy's and be a hall of famer. Like, yeah the dude shows amazing potential the rare times that he's healthy, but the way I hear some people talk about him is unlike anything I've ever seen with a player that has proven so little. Like even the title of this video, "generational defender"? I mean have we really seen enough of him to say that? And "nobody talks about"? Dawg, this dude played 97 games since 2019. It reminds me alot of how people uses to talk about justice winslow all the time, back in his earlier career

[@willrobbins2550]

Dude got mad pressed by a clickbait title🤣it accomplished its goal ig

[@BoolatGuzairov]

Magic might fight a perfect usage concept for Isaac: safety mode for regular season (15-20 min a game with breaks). Gotta look closely for the playoffs, he’s even more impactful in the postseason/perfectly compliment Paolo/Franz at O.

[@andysauro1500]

Warriors fan. Been begging for him for years. I sincerely thought there would be a chance to flip Jordan Poole (Before KO) or maybe a package with Wiggs/Podziemski for this guy. But the Magic held their cards and are thriving for it.

[@reconnaisance]

Before KO is wild 😂

[@RonnieM90]

Trading Wiggins and Podziemski for Isaac sounds bad. I would not even trade Wiggins alone for Isaac. Wiggins is a great defender, and he can score. He has averaged 18.5 ppg for his career. People forget how good he was in 2022. He played great defense against Tatum in the NBA Finals. I also think Podziemski is a good young player. He has a lot of potential.

[@andysauro1500]

@@RonnieM90 Isaac is the best defender in the NBA. Literally the ideal Warriors Center. Gotta give the Magic what they need to make it happen, and they need a Guard.

[@YourWorstNightmare3333]

@@RonnieM90good we don’t want them either. JI is a generational defender, Wiggins and podz ain’t generational. Suggs and Wagner are better than them too no place with the magic

[@RonnieM90]

@andysauro1500 This season, Isaac averaged 6.8 ppg. Wiggins averaged 13.2, and Podziemski averaged 9.2. It does not matter how good of a defender he is. He would not even start for the Warriors over Looney and Green. He does not even start for the Magic. If he was really the best defender in the NBA, then he would start every game. Wembanyama and Gobert start every game. They are the frontrunners for DPOY. Issac will never win DPOY coming off the bench. Wiggins started 59 games and Podziemski started 28 games. Isaac only started 2 games. Last year, he only played in 11 games. He missed 2 complete seasons before that. He is very injury prone.

[@cncaliguy09]

Reminds a bit of KG with his range and versatility. Then he looks like Hakeem how he blocks shots. Those were two of greatest at what they did.

[@sdfpcplay9392]

7:48 8:21 these can be seen in sumo defensive techniques against larger heavier more powerful opponents also almost all these clips are against mvp candidates this season and generational offensive powerhouses 🔥🔥🔥

[@waff6ix]

I LIKE JONATHAN ISAAC ON && OFF THE COURT 💯

[@perfectblue8443]

A true servant of the Lord

[@lincolnliking]

Great breakdown.

[@HoopVenue]

Thank you!

[@paulgabriel5642]

It’s like him and mattyse thybulle are so good

[@halftime814]

Trust me he's getting unleash in the playoffs especially when mosley runs the 6'10 death lineup 😂

[@leonardo_da_g9168]

Exactly what I was thinking, also that’s my exact lineup on 2k my team. Best part is with Franz you can easily have him play PG or SG

[@mikiec125]

Im surprised no body tried to pry him away at the deadline. I thought at least okc would have tried.

[@HoopVenue]

Isaac in OKC would just be unfair lol

[@mikiec125]

@@HoopVenue dang rite it wouldn't been fair lol. but earlier in the year, Issac was under the radar and he was going at a discount. OKC has plenty of assets to use

[@willjackson4354]

Magic wouldn't trade him we know what we have 😅

[@Junyah_]

Bol and Issac to the Spurs I hope 🤣

[@allisonpalmer7354]

The NBA needs more defenders. Period.

[@kjayvinas4370]

Unleashed in the playoffs - now that's a scary thought right there. Never thought of that as a fan. The Magic may be keeping him fresh.

[@enzorocha2977]

Jeebus somebody call him Groot; he's like a goddamned wide-spreading tree! A regular Nooksack Giant, he is.

[@spacejamgaming]

Great come back! ❤️

[@TheFutureEvents]

One of my favorite up and coming players only time into the magic games because of his defense effort

[@brandongaspard1738]

Happy to see him healthy. Feels like he's been in the league forever

[@tykemorris]

It isn't just that he can play lock down defense on anybody one through five. It is that he seems to defend all 5 at once. You are on the other side of the rim and he blocks you. In a two on one he blocks one, recovers, then blocks the follow shot. Then he steps out and steals the ball from a guard while assigned to an all-star forward. If you think you got by him, you didn't.

[@DeathsIntent96]

Zach Lowe said it's like the Magic have seven players on defense when he's on the court.

[@lolojohnson3005]

Jonathan gotta have a secret no trade clause cuz nah😂

[@cstwin5998]

Love Issac as on and off the court great genuine guy

[@Teamba]

2k been telling me this for years

[@HoopVenue]

Rare W from them

[@MikeTheNBAGuy]

Id love to see him go to a team with the offensive pieces to compensate for his issues on that end. I think he'd be perfect on the Hawks or Mavs

[@re1ive456]

He was on an upward trend before his injury. He’ll likely get back to that level to start the next season.

[@escoboi1da944]

Before his string of injuries, I truly believed the DPOY award was his to lose.

[@zepherscotty]

Always been a big, big fan of J.I. Just hope he continues to get healthier & hopefully can play more minutes each night.

[@pdx20]

I watched the Magic before the pandemic and I noticed J Isaac. Back then I knew He's an excellent defender and has a good shooting range .

[@kkbsrt8687]

He used to be an offensive threat in the making before he got injured. Slashing, shooting, then injury.

[@duolingoowl9663]

Bro is 6'11 and 210 lbs and is actually quite fast. A build like that combined with excellent court vision is scary for any opposing teams lmao

[@michaelosenya7805]

Do a video on Kentavious Caldwell -Pope he is an underrated defender.

[@asdedkwan123]

I cannot imagine if he is healthy, he would be even more dominant at the defensive end

[@SJaxn1224]

This is what Orlando drafted him for. I’m happy to see him healthy so people can actually see the potential he has.

[@AAL.]

I pray he stays healthy this upcoming season. Hes too good to not start

[@1ofone_]

he always on my myleague teams im hipped

[@HoopVenue]

You know ball

[@realifegerino]

Bro he is op in 2k especially in 23 he wins dpoy in myleague consistently

[@Skorpiogodz]

Thybulle, Isaac , and OG been my favorite defenders. Sometimes good defenders are known to just be good on ballers but what i like about those 3 is that their IQ to completely stop an entire play by themselves . (DRAYMOND is there too he just was too obvious to say)

[@rjjohnson2]

Love this kid! Those boys from FSU sure know how to defend!

[@irvinplz4448]

The X factor for my Orlando magic 🔥

[@tw1sE]

MAYBE 2K WILL GIVE HIM CLAMPS OR ANCHOR BADGE

[@GrimTex1andOnly]

Great breakdown. I have always been curious about Issac.

[@Thunderstick-y8h]

The basketball podcasts I listen to , talk about him frequently ! and say he’d be first team all defence if he played more minutes.

[@seanblackwood8382]

Underrated hound that hunts the ball. Respect.

[@chrilpy]

Completely healed 🗣️🔥

[@HoopVenue]

And looking just as good as before!

[@vincenttodd6508]

They don’t talk about him because he goes against mainstream narratives and they don’t like that

[@_SayitAintSo]

Before this season, he played a total of 11 games. Plus he's not much of a scorer at all while on the magic

[@_SayitAintSo]

He averages 15 mpg

[@wakawaka1976]

JI is an inspirational person

[@blackedmirror5073]

Thank you for noticing Issac!!

[@sleepyheadz]

You can always trust the character of a player who is willing to commit fully to defence. I hope the board man gets paid.

[@Holdemnicely6969]

Come to warriors please this off-season I rather have him than Dario him and Draymond together with Wiggins Kuminga that's wings and defense on deck

[@dantexkv9983]

So I see my fellow warrior brothers want him too😭 he would be a perfect cog in our defense. He can play multiple roles on our defense too!

[@dantexkv9983]

So I see my fellow warrior brothers want him too😭 he would be a perfect cog in our defense. He can play multiple roles on our defense too!

[@therealalia5265]

All I’m saying is he was a beast on 2k21 and I’m so happy to see him winninh

[@ltop796]

In 5 years he will be an all star.Mark my words

[@cynblade7422]

When the playoffs come, he's gonna be closing out every game, regardless of total minutes.

[@HoopVenue]

Facts

[@jhung2479]

Go go Isaac, hope you stay healthy..

[@BearskinBoyz3]

If you're just now watching this and having doubts. He just got his first start against the Bucks and played nearly perfect defense. Making Lillard miss shots at the rim. Finished with 1 stl and 3 blk and many altered shots.

[@colinholzmann1586]

He’s got crazy footwork

[@psyklist]

I’d love to see what team would you put together without the usual super stars to make a contender

[@carsonward4469]

glad to finally see an in-depth breakdown of his defense on here. and his 25 point game against the kings and 18-29 shooting from 3 in march give me hope that he won't be a major negative on the offensive side of the ball come playoff time.