No doubt, the attack is taking over in the modern NBA, but the defense is one of the most important playing tactics of the game if you have to win the championship. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are considered as two of the greatest players of shot-blockers. As the league officially started to track the numbers since the 1973-74 season, we have witnessed some great shot-blockers. So, let us look at the top five shot-blockers in NBA history by numbers.
5. Tim Duncan
One of the greatest power forward of all time. Duncan blocked 3,020 shots in his 19-year career. A five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA MVP, a three-time NBA Finals MVP had a career average of 2.2 blocks per game. He was the only player to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons. ‘The Big Fundamental’ is the all-time leader in blocks in the NBA Playoffs, with 568 blocked shots.
4. Mark Eaton
One of the best defensive centers in NBA history. An NBA All-Star in 1989, a five-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team, Eaton led the league in blocks four times and holds the NBA records for single-season blocks (456) and career blocked shots per game average (3.50). Eaton holds the record for the highest average of blocks per game in league history, with 5.6 blocks per game in the 1984-85 season. He was also twice voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1989).
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
A record six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a record 19-time NBA All-Star, an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member, Kareem had 3,189 blocked shots in his 20-year career. He led the league in blocks per game four times throughout his career. Kareem averaged 2.6 blocks per game in his career. He was also selected to the All-Defensive team 11 times. In 2007, ESPN named him the greatest center of all time.
2. Dikembe Mutombo
One of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. An eight-time All-star had blocked 3,289 shots in his 18 years career. He was also named as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. In 2007, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the second most prolific shot blocker in NBA history. He is one of those few players who averaged a double-double for most of his career.
1. Hakeem Olajuwon
Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time. Olajuwon has blocked 3,83 shots in his career. He averaged 3.1 blocks per game. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. And in the 1993-94 season, he became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. He is also one of four NBA players to record a quadruple-double. In 2016, he was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
