Top Ten NBA Shotblockers
Andrew Bynum kept his streak alive last night, having blocked a shot in every single game of the season thus far. He’s quietly improved as a shot blocker, boosting his blocks per game from 1.6 two years ago to 2.1 last year to 2.4 right now.
Last year he probably would have made this list of the Top Ten NBA Shotblockers, but he wouldn’t have been ranked quite as highly. You could even make an argument for him right below Dwight Howard as the second-best shot blocker in the L.
Check out the list below – there’s one pretty interesting omission who currently ranks in the top ten in the League in blocks per game and total blocks.
* Dwight Howard
* Andrew Bynum
* Marcus Camby
* Emeka Okafor
* Tim Duncan
* Yao
* Amare
* Ben Wallace
* Al Horford
* Kevin Garnett
The missing name? Dwyane Wade. He has ridiculous shot-blocking instincts, and will come weak side to spike something if he’s not guarding someone who he has to worry about on every play. But is that enough to boost him over some of the other guys who didn’t make this list but have good numbers like Nene, Chris Kaman, Samuel Dalembert, Spencer Hawes, Tyrus Thomas, Andrei Kirilenko, Andris Biedrins, or even J.O.?
What is your list of the top ten NBA shotblockers?
November 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Sweet English says:
I think your pretty much on the ball with the list there, if your not talking straight stats, and as far as making a guy think ‘Damn i’m not driving to the hoop right now i can see (insert name) on the weak side help and he will swat my ass into the parking lot’ Those are pretty much the top 10 guys.
Maybe Andrew is still a liiiiiittle high on the list there, i would put Camby above him for sure.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:21 am
YOUNGFED says:
How is Shaq, Chandler and Rasheed not on this list. Wackness
November 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Sweet English says:
Big shout on Shaq.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:24 am
SayItAintSo says:
What’s his name…that Josh Smith character…I hear he is known to block a shot every once in a while.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Deez says:
wow @ no Josh Smith.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Jah says:
Take Emeka Okafor outta’ that list and LeBron on there.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Jah says:
Goodness, I can’t believe I forgot to say something about that, too…Josh Smith!
November 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Banga says:
Lebron isn’t a cazy shot blocker.. and no josh smith is just horrible.. Dwight’s done it for what 15 16 games… Josh has been doing it for a few seasons
November 26th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Prof. TX says:
Mourning is hurt and Mutombo doesn’t have a contract, but they might be back and on the list by the end of the year. They’re some of the last guys left from the golden age of defensive centers.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:32 am
ERIC says:
Ronny Turiaf has sick block #’s this season for GSW and he only plays like 17 minutes per game.
I’m surprised J-Smoove isnt on there (probably a mistake).
November 26th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Mo says:
Ben Wallace: 3 Blocks per game back in the days…
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2332929/Ben-Wallace-Block-or-How-to-Increase-Vertical-Jump
November 26th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Kudabeen says:
Gerald Wallace Gets it in too along with Tayshaun Prince…
I give more credit for guys that have to make extra effort to get a block then a guy 7ft tall and is planed in the paint, so my list would look more like this…
1. Dwight – he is locked in with a goal and his history says that he achieves his individual goals when he is locked in…Hopefully his next goal will be shooting 70+% from the line…
1a. Josh Smith – How can you not mention him!?!?! He is a menace on the floor, because you can’t plan for him on offense. He plays D on All Five positions and he has the atleticism to go get the ball at the highest points as well as the awareness/timing to bait shooters into getting their stuff sent back…He is a monster…
2. Bynum – he has been smarter about getting angles on the offensive player and avoiding fouls…
3a. Camby – Excellent help defender, but losing a step…
4. Dalembert – He is underrated, but he is incredibly live down low on team that has know real size down low year end and year out…The other day he chased down Corey Maggette to pin his stuff on the board that is effort.
5. Tayshaun – He comes out of now where to pull of some rediculous blocks, but he also is really good on bal defender that gets blocks playing man to man and not just helping…
6. AK47 – ditto to Tayshaun. He is like a heat seeking shot blocker…he just has a nose for where to be to disrupt a shot.
7. Tim Duncan – He keeps the ball in play more often than not. If he had a little more athleticism to combine with his awareness he would be number one…
8. KG – He would be much high on my list if he keep the ball in play, but he also takes hits on his rebounding and shot blocking, because he often switches out on perimeter players to defend the ball…This is a testament to him being the best individual defender in the league right now…so versatile…
9. Crash – He is all over the floor Threatening all shots. You aren’t safe shoot a three on a break, a layup/dunk, hooks, anything. He will try to get it or get hurt trying…
10. Tie Okafor/Hortford – You can’t push these guys off their mark and they are better on ball shot blockers than weakside blockers, which is amazingly effective when guys around you are accountable on D as well.
Honorable mention – Elton Brand – He has no business blocking as many shots as he does, but he keeps doing it. If he did it on bigger players I would have him on the list alone at number 10.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Amar says:
yeah, no josh smith or AK47 is an incomplete list. yao ming doesn’t block shots, people just try to shoot on him, and they bounce harmlessly off his elbows. guys like smith and AK get up there to swat shots away. when was the last time yao blocked shaq twice in the same game? ak did it on back to back plays last time they played.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:50 am
loot says:
brand is a much better shotblocker than horford, okafor or kg… dont see why you would rate him as an honorable mention.
wade deserves to be in the top ten as well.
josh smith not being there is just a simple mistake.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Chaos says:
where the hell is josh smith, chandler, Crash, elton brand and AK47…they get up and block shots on the perimeter better than anyone
November 26th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Kudabeen says:
I said why I rated EB lower… He gets a lot of his blocks on lesser players…At least that is what I’m seeing…The guys above him are getting their in on better offensive player that also play bigger…Elton gets the numbers, but abusing guys like Alexis Ajinca, Paul Davis, and smaller players who put up weak stuff isn’t the same…He was worked over by Big Al, which is no knock, because Big Al has been giving everyone work, but he also gives up shots blocks to guys.
He is in the top 15, but not MY top 10…He got the numbers, but when watching him daily the numbers don’t add up somehow (to borrow from Mighty Mos Def)…
I don’t know if there is a rating system out there for how effective shot blocks are, but These are guys in my mind how impact the game more with their blocking ability. Alot of Brands blocks turn into easy baskets for the opposing team…I’m just watching him every game…
November 26th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
snoop_robb says:
Amar, last time Yao swatted shaq twice in the same game.. Last damn time they played! and yao’s done it to saw plenty o’ times.. Yao’s had three diff players go at him on the one play and sent them all back!!!
November 26th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
karizmatic says:
Camby
Howard
Josh Smith
Yao
KG
Bynum
Chris Kaman
Duncan
Tayshaun Prince
Andre Kirilenko
November 26th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Kudabeen says:
Crazy Stat…
Ronny Turiaf is averaging 2.2 blocks so far and is only playing 15 minutes a game…That is impressive, but GS isn’t one of the worst defensive teams that take a lot of gambles, but Ronny and Andris Biedrins are get their numbers…
November 26th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Dime…? Really, though? No Josh Smith? Please tell me that isn’t by design.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
control says:
This list should be taken down and completely redone. How can you not include Josh Smith and only give AK47 honorable mention? That’s just crazy.
JO should be on the list too, blocking and playing defense is all he’s been doing this year.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
BasketUSA says:
I don’t write that because I’m French (lol) but Ronny Turiaf is the best shot blocker per minute played. More seriously, Dwight Howard have the best timing and Josh Smith have the best wingspan.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
dapro says:
Aight I gotta play devils advocate,
Shot blockers block the man their guarding shot plus block from the weak side
November 26th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
isotope says:
I’m assuming the list is based on this season’s performance which would explain Josh Smith being omitted on the list. With that said, Horford needs to be higher. Didnt he have a game with 7 blocks recently. His numbers might change when Smith gets back but right now Horford needs to be ranked higher.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Amar says:
sorry, I didn’t know Yao was the great wall of defense. that probably explains why carlos boozer scored 41 on him in the playoffs (or whatever he did) two seasons ago.
I’m just trying to be empirical, if yao is immune to criticism (and the blame always (wrongly) falls on tmac) then he should also be immune to praise — and we shouldn’t big up him. he’s big enough (7′5ish).
November 26th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
John says:
The Miami Joel Anthony is 3 in the league in blocks per 48 minutes ,,, no love for him ? He has the potential to be the next Ben Wallace (when big ben actually care) ,,,
November 26th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
isotope says:
Amar, Yao always schools Dwight when they play head to head. Does that mean DHo’s defense sucks?
November 26th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
MadSammyboy says:
Sorry for being redundant, but Yao’s on the list, and Josh Smith isn’t? Oh, man… other than that, the list is pretty solid, I guess.
Why does Yao get so much praise? What has the guy EVER done?
November 26th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
isotope says:
if u watch Rockets games, the guy changes a lot more shots then he actually blocks. True he’s not quick and easily gets called for def fouls because he’s just so tall and easy to jump into. But he still gets his blocks. He’s def in the top 10.
Josh Smith has barely played this year.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
ticktock6 says:
For those who mentioned Chandler, it’s like this big myth that he’s a shotblocker. They say it all the time on TV. He didn’t even lead his own team last season.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Amar says:
we should call yao “the big human rights violation”. I bet his Chinese ass is happy there’s no mongol’s in the NBA
November 26th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Amar says:
moreover, ticktock6, chandler is a very special player — but the myth of chandler is greater than he actually is. Mehmet Okur (widely regarded as a soft Euro by people who don’t actually watch him play) had better rebounding stats in the playoffs than tyson did. (as seen in their RPG averages) what does that say about Tyson’s actual production when it counts?
November 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
ticktock6 says:
@ Amar: That he went up against Tim Duncan and lost? Haha.
November 26th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Byrd says:
No love for Maxiell? My man swats people he has no business swatting, and hes undersized.
Oh and heres your Chandler
November 26th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Byrd says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3__lnOGJAA
November 26th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Ashlov says:
I miss Zo. :/
November 26th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
GEE...Smell my fingerrsssss! says:
Yea I miss Zo in the Game too, I wish some team would pick him and Deke up to have that old G-Town tandem back in their AARP mode.
Both are two I like to see patroling the paint.
I would love a list of the top shot blockers that aren’t 5’s.
Kobe has a great knack for blocking shots in help D as well.
MJ was one of the best shot blockers from behind his opponent (no homo)
Still nobody beats the Dream to me!
November 26th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Gary says:
i have to agree. . . no Josh Smith means this list needs to be erased and thought about again . . . then you got AK47 and DWade locking down the guard as well . . . i think someone went on an early vacation!
November 26th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Marian says:
when healthy no matterhow old zo is at least in the top3.
always lead the league in blocks per 48 minuts the last couple years. over the last 20 yeats no one had that sick timing. not even the dream, he was just more physically giftet
November 26th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Amar says:
if health was no deal, then i’m going with guys like manute bol and mark eaton . . . those guys would have killed if the nba was a half court game (where all you have to do is clear the ball after def. boards).
November 27th, 2008 at 2:43 am
J says:
Joel pryzbilla. plays few minutes but is a great shot blocker who flies under the radar. If i wasnt a huge blazer fan I wouldnt know it, but portland loves that guy
November 27th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Jay says:
Al Horford is on the list? I was surprised so I looked up his stats and his 1.77 blocks aren’t that bad. But from watching him, I never thought he was a real presence that protected the rim. Guys aren’t deterred from attacking the rim by his being there. His teammate Josh Smith is a better shotblocker than him.
Rasheed Wallace has always impressed and mystified me with his ability to challenge shots and not foul. As a result, he doesn’t register eyepopping block numbers but he’s as good as any big at reducing the field goal percentage of guys attacking the rim. He’s a master of jumping with a player, avoiding contact in the air and just using his immense length to effect the shot. I don’t know how he does it so well. He’s such a smart player. He, Duncan and Garnett are all masters of that art except Duncan also blocks more shots than either of them.
Among smalls who are good shotblockers, I always thought Pierce was a pretty good shotblocker. In his younger days, he blocked as many jumpshots of the man he was guarding, which is a rare thing to do, as anybody in the league. He flashed back to that in the finals when he emphatically sent back Kobe’s turnaround jumper in game 4. When has Kobe ever had that happened to him? After that, Kobe never tried to post Pierce again the rest of the series.
November 27th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Diego says:
Josh Smith MUST be excluded because he has been out most of the year. If that is not the reason, whoever wrote this article at Dime needs to be at the least suspended and fined salary for several weeks (or just flat out canned due to lack of requisite NBA knowledge). Smoove crushes shots. I agree with Jay re. Horford.
November 29th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Jo says:
Come on! Maxiell eats babies!
November 29th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
Where is Greg Oden
December 1st, 2008 at 10:38 am
auntiehonda says:
Perkins, better than 2 a game
December 10th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Craig says:
GREAT list…Here’s another one for all the ballers out there…
Top 10 Best NBA Names
http://www.thesharkguys.com/2008/12/10/top-10-nba-names/