Top 10 Shot Blockers in NBA History
In the annals of NBA history, shot blockers have held a place of unique prestige. These athletes aren't just tall guys who hang around the basket - they're masters of anticipation, agility, and game intelligence. They're the ones who, in the heat of the game, rise like titans to intercept what seemed like sure-fire baskets and turn them into thunderous rejections.The best shot blockers in NBA history are known for their knack for intimidation. They don't just defend the hoop; they demoralize their opponents. A great shot blocker can make an offensive player think twice about driving towards the basket, creating a mental game that's as important as the physical one.
But let's not forget the spectacle. The roar of the crowd as a powerful block is made, the expression of shock and awe on the faces of fans, players, and coaches alike - it's an integral part of the NBA experience. Shot blockers often become fan favorites because they bring that element of surprise and raw energy to the game.
Jermaine Lee O'Neal is an American former professional basketball player. The 6 ft 11 in, 255 lb forward-center had a successful high school career and declared his eligibility for the 1996 NBA draft straight out of high school. I think that Jermaine O'Neal is the best shot blocker of all time. When it comes to Jermaine O'Neal and blocking, he is the best.
Jermaine O'Neal should be number one. He is the greatest shot and dunk blocker of all time.
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He was born on August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia and died on October 12, 1999 in Los Angeles due to heart failure... read more Almost 2 inches taller than Shaq, and over 2 inches wider at the shoulder, with a wingspan wider than Yao Ming's.
He had a higher vertical leap than any 7-footer in history and would be listed as 7-3 on a modern roster, given the way they measure players now with their shoes on.
He was something like Shaq but noticeably bigger, and a much better jumper. Just a shot-blocking monster.
The way NBA players are measured today, with basketball shoes on, Wilt would be listed on the team roster at 7-3 tall.
He also had the highest vertical of any 7-footer in NBA history and a wingspan several inches wider than Yao Ming.
There has never been another physical specimen like Wilt in the NBA.
Serge Jonas Ibaka Ngobila is a Congolese-Spanish professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.
JaVale Lindy McGee is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.
Darryl Dawkins was an American professional basketball player, most noted for his days with the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, although he also played briefly for the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz late in his career.
William Felton "Bill" Russell was an American retired professional basketball player. Russell played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1969. Bill Russell would actually block the shot and get the rebound, or block the shot to another player on his team. This would result in what amounted to a 4-point swing.
The paint was his.
When you see how he blocked Wilt's dunk and add all of the fast-break points produced after his blocks, plus 11 NBA rings, he is second to none.
Russell would block the shot and get possession of the ball, not swat it out of bounds.
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. He is known for his fun, friendly personality, and is one of the most beloved athletes of all time.
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, formerly known as Akeem Olajuwon, is a Nigerian-American retired professional basketball player. I think Hakeem Olajuwon should be number one on this list. First of all, I don't even know how Serge Ibaka is on this list.
The best shot blocker of anyone who was not named Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell.
It's obviously him if he has the most blocks out of anyone ever.
Timothy Theodore "Tim" Duncan is an American professional basketball player who has played his entire career for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Newcomers
Shawn Bradley couldn't block much, but this guy should be second to Bill Russell.
Nathaniel Thurmond was an American basketball player who spent the majority of his 14-year career in the National Basketball Association with the Golden State Warriors. He played the center and power forward positions. Nate Thurmond was awesome. If not for Chamberlain and Russell, he would have owned the NBA and the paint.
He has the first recorded quadruple-double after they started counting blocked shot stats. He was almost as strong as Chamberlain and almost as skillful as Russell.
He was a joy to watch.
Quite possibly the third-best of all time, but he played in the shadow of Wilt and Russell.
Kevin Maurice Garnett is a former professional basketball player who played for 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association, for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets.He shut down the paint and helped the Jazz become a legitimate team.
Yao Ming is a Chinese basketball executive and retired professional basketball player who played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association and the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association.
Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association.
Just take a look at the list of most blocks in a single game. Enough said.
Not a big surprise, the guy was 7 feet, 7 inches tall.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Widely viewed as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan made six NBA Finals appearances in his career, winning the NBA championship each time.
Ben Camey Wallace is an American retired professional basketball player. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996. In his NBA career, Wallace played with the Washington Bullets/Wizards,... read more Easily one of the most athletic players of all time, he is tied for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards.
He is only discredited because of his poor performance at the line.
Even though he is undersized, Ben Wallace has been considered the best shot-blocker of all time.
David Maurice Robinson is an American former professional basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association for his entire career. He served his military obligation his first two years and would have easily had another 600 blocks.
He would have had another 200 more if he hadn't been injured in 1996-97.
