Greatest shot blocker in each NBA team’s history

NBA is a league filled with many unique players capable of displaying greatness in many ways. Some guys can drop 30 points without even breaking so much as a sweat, while others can prevent such a scoring outburst no matter who the opponent may happen to be.</p> <p>Then there are the players who defend in a very specific way, namely, right at the rim. These are guys who are normally the last line of defense for their respective team. They are expected to keep the basket a no-entry zone, sending back anyone and anything that attempts to come close to their beloved hoop.</p> <p>Some of these 30 players could do other things on the court besides block shots and protect the paint. Many were multiple-time All-Stars, others while would go on to win MVPs in both the regular and postseason.</p> <p>However, when an opponent took the basketball and drove to the bucket with one of these NBA giants waiting for them, one could surmise just how well that would turn out for the ball handler more often than not.</p> <p>Unfortunately, because this historic list won’t feature any one player twice, some teams won’t have the pleasure of being represented by their best interior presence. Nonetheless, this slideshow will look to do justice for a group of players who did the job not many were willing to do.</p> <p>They took a physical beating next to guys of similar size and strength just to alter a single shot in the hope that it could swing the entire game. Here is the greatest shot blocker in each NBA franchise’s history.</p> <p><em><strong>Editor’s note: Josh Wilson contributed to edits of this article.</strong></em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Atlanta Hawks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_326924" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-326924 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1134,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F51533772.jpeg" alt="Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks" width="1600" height="1134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/51533772.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/51533772-768x544.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo credit should read STEVE SCHAEFER/AFP/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Atlanta Hawks history: Dikembe Mutombo</h2> <p>Dikembe Mutombo was a very special player over the course of his 18-year career.</p> <p>He wasn’t really much of a threat on the offensive end, averaging just 9.8 points per game. However, what he could do on the other end of the floor turned him into one of the most dominant defensive forces the game has ever seen. The future Basketball Hall of Famer could block shots like not many else in league history.</p> <p>Standing at 7-foot-2 certainly helped his cause. Besides that, Mutombo had elite timing when it came to swatting opposing shots. It didn’t matter the type of fakes guys tried to get him to bite on, nor did it matter if they tried to shield the ball from his outstretched arms. “Mount Mutombo”  always found a way to get a hand on the shot.</p> <p>Simply look in amazement at this list of accomplishments Mutombo achieved on the defensive end: Four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year — tied for the most all-time — league leader in blocks three times, rebounding two times and was named to one of the All-Defensive teams six times.</p> <p>During his five-year stint with the Atlanta Hawks, he averaged a whopping 3.2 blocks per game. That being said, among the six teams he played with during his NBA tenure, that number isn’t even his best.</p> <p>Mutombo certainly wasn’t a team’s prototypical best player. He also wasn’t the type of guy capable of leading a team to a championship. But what he did, he did at the highest level, providing elite rim-protection that didn’t allow for easy shots in the restricted area. This led to him having the second most blocked shots in NBA history with 3,289.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Boston Celtics </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_326927" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-326927 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2467,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1737642.jpeg" alt="Bill Russell, Boston Celtics" width="3200" height="2467" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1737642.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1737642-768x592.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Boston Celtics history: Bill Russell</h2> <p>Bill Russell is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in league history, and for good reason. The former Boston Celtics center was the epitome of a guy willing to do anything it took in order to win just a single basketball game.</p> <p>A 12-time NBA All-Star, Russell wasn’t this overpowering physical specimen who simply overwhelmed his opponents, he just wanted it more. That sounds cliché, but those always hold some truth. He averaged 22.5 rebounds per game for his career, adhering to the fundamentals of the game with a relentless pursuit of the basketball once it went up in the air.</p> <p>Russell was one of the few players on this list who played in an era that didn’t recognize blocks as an official stat, a true shame. As an elite defensive force, we know Russell must have been a terrific shot-blocker as well, and we can only imagine just how many balls he swatted away during his playing days.</p> <p>He led the Celtics to 11 championships in 12 years. Yet the most points he ever averaged in a season was 18.9 per game. Though a good number, it’s definitely not what you’d expect from the leader of a perennial contender. This shows just how much he contributed everywhere else on the hardwood.</p> <p>Russell didn’t care about scoring, as he left it to some of his more talented teammates. He wanted to win, so much so that he’d expel his insides before every game with a level of nervousness reserved only for the biggest of stages, the true beauty of his style of play. Russell treated every game like the most important one, which is what drove him to do the little things like go for every rebound and make the right play.</p> <p>He wasn’t the flashiest of players, nor was he the most dominant, but given his résumé, it’s hard to argue with the results.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Brooklyn Nets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_326946" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-326946 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2937,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F112828463.jpeg" alt="Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets" width="3200" height="2937" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/112828463.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/112828463-768x705.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Brooklyn Nets history: Brook Lopez</h2> <p>When it comes to the style of play regarding Brook Lopez, many tend to think of what he brings to the offensive side of the court.</p> <p>Despite standing fairly large at 7-feet and 275 pounds, the former All-Star is more finesse than brute strength. He backs down opponents, but rather than overpower them, he mixes a soft touch around the bucket with solid footwork and the leverage that comes from possessing a mid-range jumper.</p> <p>All point guards had to do was throw the ball down low, and he, with such a diverse offensive package, would find a way to get a decent shot up.</p> <p>Interestingly enough, as the league has trended further away from the basket, so has Lopez. He has expanded his range, enough to command respect from the 3-point line.</p> <p>With a career average of just 6.8 boards a game, his rebounding leaves plenty to be desired. He simply isn’t as willing to mix it up inside in the same fashion as some of the better rebounding big men have been known to do.</p> <p>Surprisingly, despite his lack of rebounding, Lopez has proven to be a fairly intimidating shot blocker, posting 1.7 a night. Though this isn’t a fantastic number, it does seem to be at least above average.</p> <p>Lopez is currently in the midst of his 12th season, and during the 11 previous he’s always been a talented player. He was at once the face of the Brooklyn Nets franchise, but he could never lead them to much success.</p> <p>Even so, he’s always been one of the more consistent players in the league. Maybe, as a cog to the system instead of the key, he can realize his true potential and make an impact on a winning team?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Charlotte Hornets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327036" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327036" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F168298796.jpeg" alt="Alonzo Mourning, Charlotte Hornets" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/168298796.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/168298796-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Charlotte Hornets: Alonzo Mourning</h2> <p>For all the terrific perimeter play the decade has brought us, the NBA was built on a foundation of big men. Guys like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Patrick Ewing among others are the most talked about and find themselves on many top-10 lists. However, one such player that has never been much of a talking point is Alonzo Mourning.</p> <p>During the early part of his career with the Charlotte Hornets, “Zo” was a ridiculous inside force on both ends of the court. His shoulders and biceps appeared sculpted out of clay, giving him a terrific physical advantage, which led to plenty of rebounds for the seven-time All-Star.</p> <p>Mourning’s size allowed him to back down pretty much anyone matched up against him. He possessed a soft touch from the mid-range area, leading to a points per game average that hovered around 20 a night.</p> <p>Then, there’s his prowess on the defensive end, where he proved to be just as good if not better than what he could do with the ball in his hands.</p> <p>A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Mourning’s physicality and toughness were a welcome sight. His athleticism and timing made him a two-time leader in blocks per game, averaging close to four swats a night in those two seasons.</p> <p>Mourning may not have the statistical success or the accolades of some of his other seven-foot brethren. That being said, when it came to his prime, not many could match his energy combined with a massive physique and skill set that made him one of the best two-way players in the game.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Chicago Bulls </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327058" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327058" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F96362343.jpeg" alt="Artis Gilmore, Chicago Bulls" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/96362343.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/96362343-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Chicago Bulls history: Artis Gilmore</h2> <p>As Wilt Chamberlain finished off his career dominating the entire NBA record book, but well before Shaquille O’Neal made his way into the league, Artis Gilmore was his era’s dominating inside presence. This was a role he played quite well over his 17-year career, including seven with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/chicago-bulls/">Chicago Bulls</a>.</p> <p>A whopping 7-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Gilmore was simply bigger than most of the opposition, paving the way for some truly gaudy numbers. Nobody could really stop him from doing what he wanted, which is why he has a career field goal percentage of 58.2 percent. This is also why he led the league in that category on six separate occasions.</p> <p>Seeing as how nobody could really match up with him, Gilmore’s size is what also let him grab seemingly every rebound, leading the league in per game boards in three of his first four seasons in the league.</p> <p>Again due to his towering presence over anybody who thought it was wise to bring the ball to the basket, Gilmore was a fierce rim-protector from his first minutes in the ABA. For his career, Artis averaged 2.4 blocks a night, placing him fourth all-time in NBA history and first among those to have played in the ABA.</p> <p>Similar to Alonzo Mourning, Gilmore’s name isn’t mentioned as much when it comes to the greatest centers ever. In an era alike to Wilt Chamberlain’s, there simply weren’t many who could hang with someone as big as Gilmore let alone stop him. This led to the 11-time All-Star doing as he pleased at both ends of the floor en-route to a Basketball Hall of Fame career.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Cleveland Cavaliers </a> </div> <h3> </h3><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327065" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327065" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2129,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F94154396.jpeg" alt="Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers" width="3200" height="2129" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/94154396.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/94154396-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Cleveland Cavaliers history: Zydrunas Ilgauskas</h2> <p>Everyone in NBA circles is familiar with the set of skills international big men such as Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki have brought to the table for years now. Another guy who wasn’t quite on the same level as those two perennial All-Stars, but who could play in his own right, was Zydrunas Ilgauskas.</p> <p>The typical European stereotype fit “Big-Z” like a glove, but not necessarily in a bad way. He stood 7-foot-3 and possessed a terrific touch from the free-throw line extended. Similar to Nowitzki, nobody could get a hand near Ilgauskas shot when he went to fire, essentially leaving it up to the Lithuanian to decide whether his shot would hit or miss.</p> <p>That jumper made him into an ideal pick-and pop candidate. Playing next to a guy with the passing skills of LeBron James, Ilgauskas got plenty of open looks.</p> <p>When it came to his defense, one has to remember the era in which Ilgauskas played. Centers weren’t asked to guard anywhere outside the paint. This was probably a good thing for the lumbering center, allowing him to stay near the basket and use his size to protect the rim.</p> <p>As someone who tall, blocking shots probably didn’t require too much effort, even if he could barely get off the ground, which is why Ilgauskas averaged a respectable 1.6 blocks per game during his 12-year career.</p> <p>Many people tend to criticize James’ supporting cast during his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. There is certainly an argument to be made that his teammates weren’t suited to help him go on a championship run.</p> <p>When it comes to Ilgauskas though, he probably would’ve gotten more recognition had he not been asked to do too much. A guy with his size and abilities are a sight to behold. Maybe if there weren’t so many unrealistic expectations on a guy who more often than not was Cleveland’s second best player, the NBA world could recognize it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Dallas Mavericks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328471" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-328471" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2227,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F629574.jpeg" alt="Shawn Bradley, Dallas Mavericks" width="3200" height="2227" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/629574.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/629574-768x534.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Ronald Martinez/Allsport)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Dallas Mavericks history: Shawn Bradley</h2> <p>Shawn Bradley was supposed to be great. At 7-foot-6, he was drafted No. 2 overall in the 1993 NBA Draft. Bradley was expected to fall right in line with some of the greatest tall guys to ever play the game of basketball.</p> <p>With career averages of 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, Bradley never lived up to expectations, but with a career that spanned over a decade, it’s hard to call him a full-on bust.</p> <p>The former All-Rookie member had solid moves in the post. He had a difficult time going through defenders, but found success in maneuvering around them with his quickness, or over them with untouchable jump-hooks.</p> <p>The obvious benefit of having a guy like Bradley on your squad was the protection he brought in the restricted area. With a career 2.5 blocks per game, he was considered a specialist, an absolute force on the defensive end, scaring plenty away from the paint and blocking shots without exuding much energy as well.</p> <p>Even if it seemed like the opposition would get an easy layup, Bradley always had to be accounted for due to his ability to make up large amounts of ground with his gazelle-like strides.</p> <p>Bradley is mostly known among NBA circles for his penchant for ending up on the wrong side of poster-like dunks. However when challenging so many shots at the rim, some are bound to go the wrong way.</p> <p>He was a solid player and nothing more. Bradley was someone who used his size to his advantage as an intimidating inside presence who never shied away when a wide-eyed dunker charged at him. This led to some less than memorable moments on his end, but likely gaining at least some respect from his peers.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Denver Nuggets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="375" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/h8-R3bBmhqU?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Denver Nuggets history: Dikembe Mutombo</h2> <p>Dikembe Mutombo may be better remembered for his time with the Atlanta Hawks or even with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he contributed to the 2001 title run in which Philly stole a Game 1 from the Los Angeles Lakers at home. But his career started off with the Denver Nuggets after they selected him fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft.</p> <p>The Nuggets, an atrociously bad defensive team at the time, desperately needed a shot blocker, and Mutombo was that guy from day one. There was no rookie orientation off the bench for him, as he averaged over 35 minutes in his rookie season, making an All-Star team in season one.</p> <p>In his rookie season he averaged 3.0 blocks per game. By 1995-96, his final season as a Nugget, he averaged 4.5 blocks per game, which led the league (his third year in a row winning the blocks title).</p> <p>Mutombo leads the franchise in blocks with 1,486, racking up 3.8 per game while in a Denver uniform.</p> <p>While his prowess as a rim protector in Atlanta was covered in a previous slide within this article, Mutombo&rsquo;s defensive brilliance was in its prime in Denver.</p> <h3>Honorable mention &#8212; Marcus Camby</h3> <p>Coming out of college as part of the legendary draft class of 1996, Marcus Camby had all the physical tools needed to become a dominant force on the defensive end. Needless to say, he took advantage of those gifts quite well.</p> <p>Aside from being 6-foot-11, Camby&#8217;s reach stretched very far, with especially lanky arms that allowed him to reach even what appeared to be the farthest of shots. It was this combination of size and length that made Camby one of the best shot-blockers in the game, averaging 2.4 for his career and leading the league in blocks per game four times.</p> <p>As a Nugget, Camby logged 3.0 blocks per game, impressive considering the franchise-leading Mutombo blocked 3.4 per game.</p> <p>Even if it appeared his legs were too far away to make up the ground needed to get to the ball, Camby&#8217;s arms stretched so wide, he could take a single stride and get just a fingertip on the ball in order to knock it away.</p> <p>On the other end of the floor, Camby wasn&#8217;t anything special offensively. In fact, he somewhat struggled to convert his looks, shooting just 46.2 percent in six seasons with the Denver Nuggets.</p> <p>Nonetheless, his defense made up for his offensive deficiencies, providing an elite rim protector that allowed his perimeter teammates to pressure their guys. Opposing ball handlers knew that if they were to get by the perimeter defense, Camby was waiting near the bucket to send the shot back where it came from.</p> <p>Camby&#8217;s career high in points per game was only 14.8, which came during his rookie season. The reason he lasted though, was because of what he did at the other end. The 2007 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Camby was an especially difficult man to score on, which is what helped in last 17 seasons in the NBA.</p> <p><em><strong>Editor&#8217;s note: Josh Wilson contributed to an edit of this slide</strong></em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span>&nbsp;Detroit Pistons </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_308405" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-308405" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1070,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F50940223.jpeg" alt="Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons" width="1600" height="1070" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/50940223.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/50940223-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Detroit Pistons history: Ben Wallace</h2> <p>Ben Wallace was a fairly productive player early in his career playing limited minutes off the bench. However, it wasn’t until he became a member of the Detroit Pistons when he got the opportunity to become the player we know him to be now.</p> <p>As an undersized and undrafted big man, Wallace truly had to work especially hard just to have a taste of what it’s like to play in the NBA. It was that work ethic off the court that symbolized his play on it.</p> <p>“Big Ben” knew other guys would handle the scoring load. What he also knew was that in order to stick in the league, he’d have to just about everything else, which he did at an extremely high level. He helped the Pistons to five consecutive appearances in the Conference Finals and their incredible championship run in 2004.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kdge7AfBQ4A?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>Wallace may have been small in height for a man in the middle, but certainly not in size. Weighing around 240 pounds of pure muscle, leaving his matchup with plenty of bruises and soreness after the game, resulting from his all-out assault on any type of loose ball or rebound there happened to be at a given moment.</p> <p>When it came to protecting the basket, Wallace’s used the same effort he did in every other facet of his game. His athleticism certainly helped him some, but more often than not, it was simply about the focus he brought on every possession. He understood each one was valuable and had to be treated as such, which meant no lackadaisical effort or giving up on a play.</p> <p>On pure heart, self-motivation and hustle alone, Wallace became a four-time All-Star, five-time All NBA member, an NBA champion and a recipient of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times.</p> <p>He’s not among the game’s greatest players, but during his time, there likely wasn’t a guy more feared for his tenacity. Everyone in the arena knew he’d truly do anything if it would help his team gain the upper hand by even the slightest of hairs.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Golden State Warriors </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_315320" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-315320" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F88518744.jpeg" alt="Nate Thurmond, Golden State Warriors" width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/88518744.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/88518744-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker from Golden State Warriors history: Nate Thurmond</h2> <p>Nate Thurmond could also be filed into the underrated category among historic NBA giants for his stat-stuffing ability in the early 1960’s and late 1970’s.</p> <p>With a career average of 15.0 points per game — although that number hovered around 20 during his prime — Thurmond was a capable offensive threat who could post up the oppositions, turn around with either shoulder and either throw up a fadeaway or softly lay it in with a jump-hook.</p> <p>Where Thurmond was truly great though, was at the other end, as one of the game best rebounders and shot blockers. He used his size and length to corral any ball within his vicinity.</p> <p>Interestingly enough, the NBA didn’t account for blocks until the 1973-74 season. That was Thurmond’s 11th season in the league at age 32, where he would average 2.9 swats per game. This made it more likely that he matched or exceeded that number in each of his 10 prior seasons.</p> <p>His rebounding was also phenomenal, with 15.0 boards a game — although like his scoring, it was closer to 20 in his prime — the fifth-highest average in league history.</p> <p>In a time where the term analytics may not have even been invented, it was somewhat difficult to quantify just how good a given player was at the defensive end. After all, there wasn’t and still isn’t a counting stat that can fully quantify such efforts.</p> <p>Thurmond’s validation comes from his peers, specifically one man named Wilt Chamberlain. In 1989, Chamberlain said of “Nate the Great”, “He played me as well as Bill Russell.”</p> <p>Those that know the history of the game obviously know of Russell’s place among the games greatest stoppers. To be compared to him in that sense by one of the most dominant offensive forces is as good an endorsement as there could ever be.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Houston Rockets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327361" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327361" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2151,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F51763628.jpeg" alt="Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets" width="3200" height="2151" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/51763628.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/51763628-768x516.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Houston Rockets history: Hakeem Olajuwon</h2> <p>Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Hakeem Olajuwon certainly wouldn’t need any sympathy for lack of recognition. But considering all he could do on the court and what he was able to accomplish, a case could be made that “The Dream” is just a smidge underrated.</p> <p>Offensively, nobody could stop Olajuwon when he got the ball down low. With terrific footwork and a deft outside touch, he would put his defender through a series of spins, fakes and just about anything else to get the guy to bite. It didn’t matter how disciplined his opponent was. One way or another, Olajuwon would get him in the air. When that happened, he’d twist his body for an uncontested look, requiring either a simple layup or a smooth fadeaway.</p> <p>Olajuwon wasn’t just a one-sided talent. No, it’s tough to say whether his defense was on par with his offense, that’s just how good he was. Growing up playing soccer, he had quick feet which allowed him to stay in front of smaller guys if that scenario ever came about.</p> <p>His timing and length made him a terrific rim protector, ranking No. 1 in league history in total blocks with 3,830, nearly 500 more than the next closest guy.</p> <p>He had quick hands that led to nearly two steals a night. His overall size made him tough to score on in the post.</p> <p>In Michael Jordan’s absence, it was Olajuwon who took advantage, dominating some of the best big men in the game en-route to back-to-back championships and Finals MVP’s with the Houston Rockets. In fact, 1994 saw the legendary center take home NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the year. He is the only player to accomplish such a feat.</p> <p>Prior to LeBron James pushing him out of the top-10 scoring list, Olajuwon ranked top-10 in five major statistical categories: Points, rebounds, steals, blocks and field goal percentage. It didn’t matter if his shot wasn’t falling, Olajuwon would find a way to make an impact.</p> <p>Olajuwon couldn’t be stopped offensively and his defense was probably the best in the game at his peak. Certain bigs may be more accomplished, but when it comes to just talent, “The Dream” could hang with the best of them.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Indiana Pacers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327385" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-327385 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1002,w_1512/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F470135509.jpeg" alt="Rik Smits, Indiana Pacers" width="1512" height="1002" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/470135509.jpeg 1512w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/470135509-768x509.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1512px;">(Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Indiana Pacers history: Rik Smits</h2> <p>Rik Smits lucked out tremendously during his NBA career&gt; He was blessed to play in an era that allowed him to maximize his size in order to contribute on both ends of the court.</p> <p>Selected with the second overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft, Smits was a terrifying presence inside, with a 7-foot-4, 250-pound frame not many centers in the league at the time could match.</p> <p>He wasn’t a big-time player, but he was a productive one. Smits was a good presence on the block and could knock down a 15-footer every once in a while off penetration.</p> <p>Weirdly enough, Smits wasn’t as dominant at the other end as one would expect from someone with his physical traits. It wasn’t like he was getting overpowered. Yet still, he only managed to average 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. This isn’t to say those are terrible numbers, but from a guy who probably didn’t even have to jump in order to block a shot, those stats should have been higher.</p> <p>It’s hard to tell given the lack of advanced statistics, but Smits was likely a respectable rim protector, who could just slide in front of the rim and alter the shots of opponents who dared to take it to the hole.</p> <p>Given how large he was, Smits probably didn’t reach his fullest potential. The 1990’s were built for dominant big men, but he wasn’t able to fully take advantage of it. Nevertheless, Smits carved out a solid career with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/">Indiana Pacers</a>, the perfect complement to the sweet shooting of Reggie Miller and a guy who was a thorn in the side of a lot of great centers back in the day.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Clippers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327442" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327442" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2432,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F470404324.jpeg" alt="DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers" width="3200" height="2432" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/470404324.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/470404324-768x584.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Los Angeles Clippers history: DeAndre Jordan</h2> <p>Early on in his career, DeAndre Jordan appeared to be heading towards the dreadful list of amazing athletes who couldn’t harness it enough produce with great regularity.</p> <p>Then, Doc Rivers was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2013, and everything changed for Jordan. The former NBA champion head coach helped the seven-footer focus his energy in the right directions and realize his full potential as a rebounding menace who was the last line of defense for the Clippers.</p> <p>Rivers helped Jordan realize he’d never be a focal point on offense. Rather, his job would be to set good hard screens, roll to the bucket, rebound the ball and protect the rim.</p> <p>Almost instantly, DeAndre obliged, with his lowest rebounding average being 13.6 per game. His blocks increased to over two per game for a good amount of time. He’d go on to lead the league in field goal percentage in five consecutive seasons.</p> <p>He was the ultimate sky-walker, capable of out-rebounding just about anybody on pure leaping ability alone. When Chris Paul came to town, Jordan became one of the most feared around-the-rim finishers in the game. He formed a great two-man game with Paul. When the lob was thrown, everyone ran for cover, except Brandon Knight.</p> <p>Jordan’s rise from raw prospect to an elite rebounder and defender alongside Paul and Blake Griffin helped revitalize the Clippers from laughing-stock to perennial playoff contenders. While it took a little bit of time, he was a terrific case of a guy who understood his role and played it to near perfection.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Lakers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-210775" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_3126,w_3819/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F08%2F515418082-george-mikan-grabbing-a-rebound.jpg" alt="George Mikan, Minneapolis Lakers" width="3819" height="3126" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/08/515418082-george-mikan-grabbing-a-rebound.jpg 3819w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/08/515418082-george-mikan-grabbing-a-rebound-768x629.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3819px) 100vw, 3819px"></p> <h2>Best shot blocker in Los Angeles Lakers history: George Mikan</h2> <p>Due to the lack of elite centers on some of the other teams in the league, George Mikan gets the nod here for the Los Angeles Lakers, and while he wasn’t the best to ever play for the team — which speaks more about the terrific history of big men the Lakers have had — his greatness shouldn’t be undervalued.</p> <p>The inaugural season of the NBA was in 1946, only two years before Mikan broke into the league out of DePaul University, so the talent pool of the league obviously wasn’t as deep as it is today, nor did it have many players who could match the size Mikan brought to the table.</p> <p>Nevertheless, no player is gifted the choice to choose his era, leaving the man they called “Mr. Basketball” to lay waste to some of the earliest NBA players.</p> <p>Because he stood so much taller than most everybody, Mikan’s play was comparable to that of a varsity high school basketball player matching up against the JV team. He averaged 23.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per game, doing whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.</p> <p>Like his fellow NBA elders, Mikan’s block totals weren’t tracked, but it seems safe to say he probably tallied up a large sum going up against guys who likely weren’t very fast, tall or athletic in any shape or form.</p> <p>It’s an interesting topic of discussion when talking about guys like Mikan and Bill Russell: Could they have played in today’s game? Sadly, we’ll never know, but as mentioned before, all one can do is take care of the business in front of them. Mikan clearly appeared to do just that.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Memphis Grizzlies </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327546" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327546" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F452624965.jpeg" alt="Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/452624965.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/452624965-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Memphis Grizzlies history: Marc Gasol</h2> <p>Marc Gasol’s success in the league as one of the best two-way centers was never a sure thing. Selected deep in the second round in 2007, he was shipped to the Memphis Grizzlies for his older brother Pau Gasol, who at that point was a perennial All-Star. The younger Gasol Brother wasn’t nearly as hyped, but early on, it was clear something was there.</p> <p>He was never such a volume stats guy as so many of the games best usually are, but his impact was noticeable when watching the Grizzlies play. He’d set brick-like screens that freed up his teammate. On the other end, he was the unofficial captain of the famous Grit N’ Grind defense, winning NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.</p> <p>Gasol could hit jumpers from the outside, but it didn’t take away from the physicality he brought to the court. He’d face up and attack guys off the bounce, or operate out of the post, backing all the way in for easy jump-hooks.</p> <p>He was — and still is —  one of the best passing bigs in the game, who could catch the ball just about anywhere and make plays for his cutting teammates. Over the last few seasons, the three-time All-Star has begun stepping out behind the arc and launching from there, converting at a respectable rate and added a new dimension to his offensive package.</p> <p>Due to his size at 7-foot-1 and 255 pounds, Gasol couldn’t be moved by opposing bigs, making it nearly impossible to post him up. His stature made it difficult for guards to attack the basket, as he was fundamentally sound at protecting the rim, despite his relatively low blocks average of 1.5 a game.</p> <p>Pau Gasol may be the better player, but Marc Gasol is no scrub. He never had to score a point, and yet he’d make a mark on the game in a number of other ways.</p> <p>The Grizzlies haven’t had much success in their relatively short tenure as a franchise, but with Gasol as one of their leaders, Memphis was given some truly spirited basketball including a few inspiring postseason runs.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Miami Heat </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327641" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-327641 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F55952234.jpeg" alt="Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/55952234.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/55952234-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler /NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Miami Heat history: Shaquille O’Neal</h2> <p>How does one accurately describe the most dominant force of the modern era, a guy who treated every opponent, both tiny and large, like his own personal rag doll that he’d drag up and down the court for 48 minutes?</p> <p>It’s possible Shaquille O’Neal deserves the illustrious title of unstoppable because, in reality, nobody could stop him. It wasn’t that he had so many weapons in his back pocket, he was just bigger than literally everyone else at 7-foot-1, 325 pounds.</p> <p>He had ridiculous athleticism for someone his size, and could just back down his defender, either throwing up a soft baby-hook or nearly — and on occasion actually — tear the rim off its hinges with powerful slams.</p> <p>Because he could out-muscle everyone on the court, Shaq put up some truly eye-popping numbers, with career, that’s right, career averages of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, including a whopping decade’s worth of seasons in which he led the league in shooting percentage.</p> <p>Also due to his sheer presence at the rim, not many guys — except maybe Allen Iverson — were looking to challenge the “OG Superman” at the rim. But if someone was feeling themselves that game and wanted to try it, Shaq would have none of it, either getting a hand on the ball or altering the shot enough to turn it into a miss.</p> <p>When O’Neal arrived in South Florida to join the Miami Heat, he was already a three-time champion and NBA Finals MVP. Though he wasn’t quite the dominant presence that garnered his claim to fame, but only due to the extremely high bar he set for himself.</p> <p>Once he arrived in South Beach though, it changed everything for the Heat. His arrival gave them a legitimate shot at a title, which they wound up winning in 2006, the team’s first in franchise history.</p> <p>Weirdly enough, had he taken better care of his body, Shaq’s dominance could have lasted even longer than it did. Even so, he still has a résumé that puts him among the 10 greatest to ever play the game, with a legacy as unique as they come as the ultimate force on the offensive end.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Milwaukee Bucks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327652" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327652" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2113,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F534994838.jpeg" alt="Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks" width="3200" height="2113" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/534994838.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/534994838-768x507.jpeg 768w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/534994838-850x560.jpeg 850w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Jerry Cooke/Corbis via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Milwaukee Bucks history: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</h2> <p>When it comes to discussing the greatest player in NBA history, Michael Jordan is the one who claims a majority of the votes. LeBron James has his fair share of supporters, and even Kobe Bryant has his own following. One name that doesn’t come up often enough is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Frankly, there really isn’t any logical reason for that.</p> <p>From the moment he entered the league in 1969, Abdul-Jabbar could get buckets. He averaged 28.8 points per game as a rookie, and his points per game average didn’t dip below 20 until his age-39 season.</p> <p>The way in which he scored, as many NBA historians know, is with the single most unguardable shot the league has ever seen: The skyhook. It was as graceful as it was effective. Left shoulder or the right, didn’t matter which hand. If Abdul-Jabbar gathered himself for that shot, it really didn’t matter what position the defense may have been in, good or bad.</p> <p>So much of his greatness is rooted in his scoring prowess, and rightfully so, seeing as he’s the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. That being said, he contributed in other ways as well, grabbing well over 10 rebounds a night while averaging 2.6 blocks per game for his career and more than three during his prime.</p> <p>Kareem has six championship rings, but it was with the Milwaukee Bucks that he captured his both his and the franchises first title. He wasn’t as flashy or as fun to watch as a guy like Jordan or LeBron, but his list of accomplishments rivals them both, and it might be time for the NBA world to recognize it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Minnesota Timberwolves </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327671" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327671" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1072,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F50845779.jpeg" alt="Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves" width="1600" height="1072" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/50845779.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/50845779-768x515.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Minnesota Timberwolves history: Kevin Garnett</h2> <p>Coming straight out of high school as the fifth pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, Kevin Garnett had high expectations placed on him at a time where most people his age would be getting acclimated to life in college.</p> <p>He started off well, and after a few seasons of reps and training, “KG” began utterly dominating the rest of the NBA as one of its most statistically dominant players.</p> <p>Offensively, Garnett had a terrific inside-out game. His mid-range shot was nearly automatic, which made him a great pick-and-pop partner. He could face up and take it to the basket, or he could post and hit turnaround jumpers for days. Because of his high release, it made his shots unblockable.</p> <p>His passing may be the most underrated part of his game. It wasn’t that he could run the offense, but every time a double team would come, Garnett could figure out how to get the ball to the open man and hit slashing teammates.</p> <p>Then, there’s the famous “KG” all-out hustle and energy he brought to the table, helping him become a terrific defender both on the perimeter and near the rim. Garnett was always so locked in mentally. He was never fazed by anyone on the opposing team. It was always about simply getting the stop, no matter who had the ball.</p> <p>Before it was a prerequisite that an NBA big had to guard multiple positions, “The Big Ticket” was doing it for years, using his boundless energy to crowd point guards and then sprint back to protect the bucket. His all-around defense was so good, he averaged 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game in 14 years playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.</p> <p>The Timberwolves first came to fruition in 1989. For all intents and purposes, Garnett put them on the map, giving them one of the top players in the league and a future MVP who everyone enjoyed watching for the way he approached the game of basketball.</p> <p>As the only player to lead a franchise in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks (among other categories), it certainly wasn’t Garnett’s fault Minnesota didn’t have much success during his time there. He gave everything he had to each game no matter the stakes, putting him among the other successful prep-to-pro stories and making him a fixture in the history of Minnesota basketball.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New Orleans Pelicans </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327743" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327743" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F630481392.jpeg" alt="Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/630481392.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/630481392-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shoot blocker in New Orleans Pelicans history: Anthony Davis</h2> <p>The New Orleans Pelicans should be thanking their lucky stars every day Anthony Davis fell into their lap. Without David Stern infamously vetoing the Chris Paul trade and a little lottery luck, who knows where they’d be right now?</p> <p>If he isn’t already, “The Brow” should be the poster child for what a modern big man should look like in 2018.</p> <p>He can face up to the basket and knock down shots. He’s quick enough to take it to the bucket and now strong enough to finish through contact. Because he didn’t start really growing until his sophomore year in high school, Davis developed the ability to handle the ball, which he still uses today at times.</p> <p>His build makes him an elite defender as well, standing 6-foot-10 with arms stretched to 7-foot-4. Combined with his sky-scraping leaping ability, he can switch out onto the perimeter and do a better job than most guards. Those gifts are what also makes him a terrific shot blocker, seeing as how there really isn’t any type of shot the three-time blocks champion can’t get a hand on.</p> <p>The numbers this dude has been producing up as essentially a one-man show don’t seem fair, putting him into categories with some of the all-time great centers of past years. His career averages are 23.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and he’s only 25 years old!</p> <p>The NBA world can agree it wants to see Davis compete for a title, which probably won’t happen should he decide to re-up with the Pelicans. Watching him literally obliterating anything in his path is a pretty good consolation. It’s very likely we haven’t even seen the best of it just yet.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New York Knicks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327776" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327776" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F450766366.jpeg" alt="Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/450766366.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/450766366-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in New York Knicks history: Patrick Ewing</h2> <p>Selected No. 1 overall in the 1985 NBA Draft, Patrick Ewing was supposed to be the savior for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/">New York Knicks</a>. While he didn’t lead them to the ultimate goal, he brought the franchise back to relevance, while also contributing a number of memorable moments to this historic organization.</p> <p>From the second Ewing stepped onto the Madison Square Garden floor, his actions truly encapsulated what it meant to don the orange and blue, bringing that New York City toughness with 100 percent energy and effort on a nightly basis.</p> <p>In an age dominated by big men, Ewing could get it done on both ends, as he would usually wind up with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds with a reel of terrific defensive plays.</p> <p>He had the traditional post-up game of a seven-footer, but he also mixed in a terrific fall-away jumper nobody could guard.</p> <p>Defensively, Ewing was as good as they come, posing as an intimidating presence near the bucket with his long arms and leaping abilities. Only his last three seasons saw his blocks per game average dip below two, a ridiculous feat and a true testament to his greatness in that department.</p> <p>Aside from the pressure that comes with playing in The Big Apple, Ewing put so much on his shoulders, understanding the history of the organization and what it would mean to bring a championship to that basketball-crazy city.</p> <p>He obviously never got it done, coming oh-so-close in 1994, but he’s still beloved by Knicks fans everywhere for his approach to the game. Ewing was the leader of one of the best defenses of all time whose grit and tenacity resonated greatly with the people of New York.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Oklahoma City Thunder </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327860" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327860" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F97188654.jpeg" alt="Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/97188654.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/97188654-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in OKC Thunder history: Serge Ibaka</h2> <p>Serge Ibaka came into the league extremely undeveloped. Originally, he didn’t have a jumper and had to learn how to play against the big boys of the league. But there was always something the former first-round pick brought to the table at an elite level. He could block shots like not many else.</p> <p>From the moment he stepped onto the court, Ibaka could swat just about anything in his airspace, whether it was a jumper, layup or even a dunk. For a guy who stood 6-foot-10, he possessed incredible speed and hops, truly widening the range of his defensive abilities.</p> <p>He always knew how to time his jumps perfectly to get the block. It didn’t matter if the opponent tried multiple fakes, Serge wouldn’t bite until the actual shot went up.</p> <p>As he started earning more playing time, Ibaka worked hard every summer to develop a consistent mid-range jumper, adding to what was already a dangerous offensive attack for the Oklahoma City Thunder by slightly improving it year after year.</p> <p>The respect he commanded opened up the court for Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant and turned him into a two-way threat. Ibaka even started shooting threes towards the end of his tenure, understanding where the league was heading and adapting accordingly.</p> <p>Ibaka’s somewhat regressed in the shot-blocking department over the years, likely due to an increased focus towards the offensive end. When he was in his prime, there probably wasn’t a better rim protector in the NBA. He gave Oklahoma City a much-needed presence at that end, a different look from their score-first superstars, the three of whom had plenty of success during their time together.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Orlando Magic </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_327983" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-327983" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1163,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F107593030.jpeg" alt="Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic" width="1600" height="1163" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/107593030.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/107593030-768x558.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Orlando Magic history: Dwight Howard</h2> <p>There’s a reason Dwight Howard garnered the nickname “Superman” during his days with the Orlando Magic, and it had nothing to do with the superhero himself. Rather, like Shaq before him, Dwight was a dominant force at both ends of the court who created matchup problems consistently.</p> <p>Howard dubbed himself “Chocolate Shoulders”, and for good reason. Those, along with his arms, chest and legs, were incredibly large, giving him a physical advantage over every other center in the league.</p> <p>On dives to the rim, he was as terrifying as they come for defenders, because not only could he go through guys, he had incredible hops that allowed him to go over the top of them as well. There wasn’t anyone who could keep him away from the bucket. When he got the ball there, it was pretty much over for the other team.</p> <p>Howard’s rebounding was superb, again due to his physical makeup. He didn’t even really have to box out, he could just out jump most guys for the ball, leading to five seasons with the most rebounds per game.</p> <div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/P43-HjE1QRE?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <p>Then, there was his rim protection, by far the best in the league at the time. His blocks per game average of 2.2 while in Orlando doesn’t even do his skills justice. As such an intimidating presence, he altered plenty more.</p> <p>His image has been sullied somewhat after bouncing around the league, but this was a guy regarded by many as a top-five player in the league during his prime, who pretty much single-handedly led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009.</p> <p>A three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Howard is likely heading to the Hall of Fame who, when at his best, was an amazing spectacle at both ends.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Philadelphia 76ers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328085" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-328085" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F88163971.jpeg" alt="Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/88163971.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/88163971-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Philadelphia 76ers history: Wilt Chamberlain</h2> <p>Wilt Chamberlain was and still is one of the most unique case-studies in league history. A 7-foot-1, the 245-pound center would’ve been tough to handle in the modern era. Place that guy in a time where he was far and away the biggest dude on the court? He’d have quite a bit of success.</p> <p>They say the NBA record book is the career of Wilt Chamberlain, which is hilariously true. “The Big Dipper” holds so many of the games most prestigious records due to his utter dominance during his playing days.</p> <p>Chamberlain led the league in scoring his first seven seasons in the league, with the lowest average being 33.5 points per game and the highest at 50.4. He led the league in rebounding seven times with a career average of 22.9 rebounds per game and led the league in field goal percentage on nine separate occasions.</p> <p>Again, he was just so much bigger than everyone. Without the three-second violation in effect, Chamberlain could simply camp inside the lane and exert his will on anyone who stood in his way.</p> <p>This is to say nothing of his ability to block shots because that stat wasn’t charted when he played. But as someone who chased stats like nobody’s business with a ridiculous height advantage over everyone, it isn’t crazy to suggest the 13-time All-Star might have averaged close to double-digits in that department.</p> <p>Chamberlain wasn’t the greatest teammate, nor did he really seem to care much about winning as some of the other all-time greats. He was as much of an outlier as the league has had since its inception, whose numbers don’t really seem all that believable and who without a doubt left his mark on the game.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Phoenix Suns </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-192481" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2817,w_4272/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F03%2F515323096-basketball-player-larry-nance-playing-hard-for-the-net.jpg" alt="Larry Nance, Phoenix Suns" width="4272" height="2817" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/515323096-basketball-player-larry-nance-playing-hard-for-the-net.jpg 4272w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/515323096-basketball-player-larry-nance-playing-hard-for-the-net-768x506.jpg 768w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/515323096-basketball-player-larry-nance-playing-hard-for-the-net-850x560.jpg 850w" sizes="(max-width: 4272px) 100vw, 4272px"></p> <h2>Best shot blocker in Phoenix Suns history: Larry Nance</h2> <p>Larry Nance’s list of accomplishments doesn’t come close to pretty much everyone else on this list, but there are still some aspects in which he has these all-time greats beat.</p> <p>For one, Nance could leap with the best of them, throwing down some truly highlight-worthy dunks over the course of his 13-year NBA career. With an absurd vertical and impressive speed for someone his size, the man was a terror on the break. Even if he weren’t to throw it down, nobody really wanted to get in his way for fear of the physical damage it could do to their bodies.</p> <p>The three-time All-Star didn’t just rely on his hops to succeed in the league. He could shoot a little bit from the outside and could finish through contact around the basket. Obviously, he was a tremendous pick-and-roll threat, but because he possessed a respectable jumper, Nance was a force with a pretty good scoring average of 17.3 points per game during his time with the Phoenix Suns.</p> <p>Nance was a solid rebounder who could completely out-jump the opposition in order to snag a rebound. It’s that same leaping ability combined with defensive instincts that made him a fairly intimidating shot-blocker as well, averaging 2.2 blocks per game for his career.</p> <p>Nance wasn’t one of the best in the game, nor did his playing days net him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame. However, he lasted more than a decade while providing some awesome highlights and performances along the way.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Portland Trail Blazers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-328099" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2155,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F515403362.jpeg" alt="Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers" width="3200" height="2155" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/515403362.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/515403362-768x517.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"></p> <h2>Best shot blocker in Portland Trail Blazers history: Bill Walton</h2> <p>As great as Bill Walton was during his peak — and it was terrific — his career was unfortunately shortened due to multiple foot injuries, robbing us of a guy who could have gotten himself placed among the pantheon at his position.</p> <p>There wasn’t anything tremendously flashy about Walton’s game, just consistent and underwhelming excellence from the two-time All-Star. He could bully opponents down low and wasn’t afraid to take a few hits along the way. Walton wasn’t a high-volume scorer, but with a soft touch around the bucket, you could throw him the ball and feel confident in what was likely to come.</p> <p>Like his scoring abilities, Walton never shied away from physical contact on the glass. When a shot went up, he’d be right there in the trenches battling for position. More often than not he came out victorious, basketball in hand.</p> <p>Plenty of the NBA’s giants could score down low and grab rebounds. Where Walton truly separated himself was with his ability to dish the rock. He didn’t run the show, but the Portland Trail Blazers ran their offense through him, knowing he could find any open man, whether that be on the perimeter or cutting to the basket for an open layup.</p> <p>Defensively, Walton was a feared shot-blocker, who averaged 2.6 blocks a game in four years in Portland. He wasn’t blessed with tremendous leaping ability. Rather, he had an amazing awareness on that end of the court which helped him time those swats perfectly.</p> <p>Walton’s career lasted far too short, 10 seasons to be exact, split apart by his foot injuries, but he’ll always hold a special place in the heart of Trail Blazers fans for leading them to their first and only championship back in 1977.</p> <p>It would’ve been nice for him to flesh out his career, but NBA historians will always understand Bill Walton’s true greatness every time he stepped on the hardwood. He’ll always have a home up in Oregon.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sacramento Kings </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328182" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-328182" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1070,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1994183.jpeg" alt="Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings" width="1600" height="1070" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1994183.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1994183-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Sacramento Kings history: Chris Webber</h2> <p>Chris Webber is one of the most underrated superstars of the 21st century, a two-way extraordinaire who filled up seemingly every column in the stat sheet.</p> <p>The former Fab Five member at Michigan was a burly 6-foot-9, 245 pounds, but what made him tough to defend was his guard-like skills. He had tremendous speed and quickness, which allowed him to get by opponents out of the high post. And in transition, nobody could slow Webber down when he had a head of steam charging towards the bucket.</p> <p>His strength helped him dominate the glass. He was a terrific passer, with 4.8 assists per game a game in roughly six and a half seasons with the Sacramento Kings.</p> <p>Because of his versatility, Webber was also a tremendous defender, who averaged 1.5 blocks and steals per game each season and could stay with smaller threats out on the perimeter for spurts at a time.</p> <p>For whatever reason, Webber hasn’t yet entered the Basketball Hall of Fame, one of the biggest robberies the prestigious committee has ever committed.</p> <p>“C-Webb” was an incredibly diverse threat who helped put Sacramento basketball back on the map in the early 2000’s. If not for some questionable calls in Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, he might have even been able to lead the Kings to a title.</p> <p>As an undersized power forward, he brought constant energy and hustle to the court in order to thrive. With career averages of 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals and blocks per game, the Basketball Hall of Fame should definitely be making space for one of the game’s most do-it-all bigs.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> San Antonio Spurs </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328260" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-328260" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F459192418.jpeg" alt="Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/459192418.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/459192418-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in San Antonio Spurs history: Tim Duncan</h2> <p>There’s a reason Tim Duncan is universally regarded as the greatest power forward in league history and a top-10 player of all time. Not only were his numbers terrific, but Duncan was also one of the best leaders and a winner in every sense of the word.</p> <p>Duncan was the rare four-year college athlete. It showed from the moment he got to the league, exuding poise and patience as a 21-year old not many guys in their 30s ever truly find. He was an elite operator out of the post, who could go over either shoulder with either hand and kiss the ball off the glass with his patented bank shot.</p> <p>His defense and rebounding were sound. He defended the rim as if his life depended on it. There wasn’t anything inherently exciting about Duncan. There weren’t many poster dunks or whiffle ball-like swats. He just went out and did his job, only he did it at the highest possible level, helping the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/san-antonio-spurs/">San Antonio Spurs</a> to five championships.</p> <p>The true beauty about Duncan wasn’t his statistical averages. Rather, his unselfish nature was the key part in Gregg Popovich’s system that emphasized the team over any one player. Once San Antonio’s franchise guy bought in, everyone else fell in line, leading to the consistent success the Spurs had in Duncan’s 19 years in the NBA.</p> <p>Timmy could get the Spurs 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, or shut down the opposing teams best inside weapon. He could also defer to teammates when necessary or play sparingly due to matchups. Lot’s of players say they want to win, but not many are willing to show it the way Tim Duncan did during his Basketball Hall of Fame career.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Toronto Raptors </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328364" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-328364" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1056,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F165455255.jpeg" alt="Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors" width="1600" height="1056" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/165455255.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/165455255-768x507.jpeg 768w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/165455255-850x560.jpeg 850w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">(Photo by Tara Walton/Toronto Star via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Toronto Raptors history: Chris Bosh</h2> <p>He’s been out of the league for a few years now, and he was the third wheel in Miami so the younger generation might not know, but Chris Bosh was a terrific individual talent during his days with the Toronto Raptors.</p> <p>His entire offensive package centered around his mid-range game. Not only was he a terrific pick-and-pop guy, but Bosh could face up and fire over just about anyone. He also had great quickness off the bounce, so if defenders decided to crowd him for fear of the jumper, all it took was a hard jab and go and CB was at the bucket.</p> <p>While with the Raptors, he wasn’t so great on the defensive end, which may have more to do with his sub-par supporting cast more than anything. It’s difficult to play both ends of the court at a high level. For Bosh to have to carry such a heavy burden offensively without much help definitely took a toll on the 11-time All-Star.</p> <p>His shot blocking abilities were also nothing to write home about, with just 1.2 blocks per game in seven seasons in Toronto, but as a power forward he wasn’t really asked to do much there. Sure, he could have gotten some weak-side blocks, but the most opportunities come from the guys standing right underneath the rim, which Bosh rarely did early in his career.</p> <p>Interestingly enough, not many star players are asked to reinvent themselves the way Bosh was once he joined the Miami Heat, extending his range out beyond the 3-point line while exerting more energy on the defensive end as a result of the decrease in touches.</p> <p>Two titles later, it’s clear it was well worth it, and while Bosh probably would’ve loved to help the Raptors to new heights, his time in Miami is what will likely put him over the top when the time comes to send him Springfield.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Utah Jazz </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_192475" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-192475" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2400,w_3624/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F03%2F886607-utah-jazz.jpg" alt="Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz" width="3624" height="2400" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/886607-utah-jazz.jpg 3624w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/886607-utah-jazz-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3624px) 100vw, 3624px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3624px;">(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Utah Jazz history: Mark Eaton</h2> <p>Mark Eaton was such an interesting player during his time in the NBA, who really only focused on one side of the ball. Unlike a good amount of players who only focus on getting buckets, Eaton’s mind was always geared towards the defensive end.</p> <p>He stood at a whopping 7-foot-4, an outlier of sorts among the league’s centers, but nonetheless a terrifying inside presence. Eaton didn’t even really have to get off the ground to block a shot much less affect one. It’s already pretty difficult to score on NBA big men, but on a guy with those few extra inches? Even the best of scorers either have to get creative or laughably lucky.</p> <p>Looking at his blocks per game, Eaton was extremely effective, averaging 3.5 per game over a decade-long career. This included two seasons in which he posted over four a game and his career-high topping out at 5.6, which he achieved during the 1984-85 season.</p> <p>To put that number into perspective, Eaton alone would’ve ranked 11th in the league last season in blocks per game, a truly unbelievable feat.</p> <p>At that size, he was also a magnet for rebounds. They pretty much just fell into his lap more often than not. Even if opponents did attempt to box him out, his 275-pound frame could easily bump them out of the picture.</p> <p>He averaged just 6.0 points a night for his career, seemingly understanding his value to the Utah Jazz and their success lied in doing the dirty work others wouldn’t. With two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and five All-Defensive Team selections, Eaton seemed to have taken advantage of his gifts quite well.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Washington Wizards </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328464" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-328464" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F503910372.jpeg" alt="Manute Bol, Washington Bullets" width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/503910372.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/503910372-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Best shot blocker in Washington Wizards history: Manute Bol</h2> <p>Like Mark Eaton, it appears as though the basketball gods weren’t paying attention when deciding on the physical traits of one Manute Bol. They gave him a body that reached a whopping 7-foot-7 in height, tied for the tallest in league history, and arms that could probably grab hold of the rim without ever having to leave the floor.</p> <p>Coming out of the University of Bridgeport as a second-round pick, Manute was an extremely raw prospect, whose size gave him immense potential, but who also lacked tangible skills on the offensive end.</p> <div class="recent-posts"> <h4>More from <b>All-Time Lists</b></h4> <ul><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/14/ranking-nba-small-market-teams/">Ranking the NBA’s small market teams </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/13/los-angeles-lakers-mount-rushmore/">Selecting the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mount Rushmore </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/30/one-final-game-the-last-great-performance-for-nba-legends/">One Final Game: The last great performance for NBA legends </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/ranking-75-best-players-nba-history-75th-anniversary/">Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history for 75th anniversary </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/28/nba-one-player-forgot-played-favorite-team/">NBA: One player you forgot played for your favorite team </a></li></ul> </div> <p>He could never get his weight up to a comparable level, leaving him susceptible to being overpowered physically down low. His scoring average never crossed the four-point threshold in any of his 10 seasons in the league, likely due to that lack of strength and a relative inability to develop a consistent low-post game.</p> <p>As one of the true giants of the game, there was obviously one thing Bol could do at the highest of levels, and that was blocking any and all shots. He may not have even had unbelievable awareness or nuanced timing, but at that height, the two-time blocks champ didn’t have to try very hard to send shots back. It probably only took a bunny-hop of shorts, and yet he’d still swallow the basketball whole.</p> <p>Despite never really increasing his level of play, Bol was still one of the most fascinating players to watch. The only player in league history with more blocks than points, his length made sure no shot was out of reach and any opponent would have to truly earn their points if they decided to attack the bucket.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="30 greatest rivalries in NBA history" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2019/08/05/30-greatest-nba-team-rivalries-league-history/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/greatest-shot-blockers-nba-history/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2019/08/05/30-greatest-nba-team-rivalries-league-history/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 30 greatest rivalries in NBA history </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">