The Ten Most Intimidating Shot-Blockers In NBA History

These ten players are the most intimidating shot-blockers in NBA history.

No single skill impacts a basketball game more than a great shot blocker. It’s not just the shots they block, either. Rather, it’s all of the shots they alter, and all of the times that players don’t even dare enter the paint that add up and truly help a defense.

These ten players intimidated offenses more than any other players ever have.

Honorable Mention: Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama has only played 117 games. But, he’s already established himself as one of the greatest shot-blockers of all-time. At 7-foot-4-inches and a wingspan approaching 8 feet, plus unreal agility, Wembanyama is a force in the paint. His career blocks per game average of 3.7 is the best all-time.

Bill Russell

You can’t have this conversation without Bill Russell. The NBA didn’t start counting block shots until 1973, but if they had during his career, he would be the all-time leader, without a doubt. He’s the greatest defensive player of all-time, and is still the blueprint for defensive-minded centers.

Alonzo Mourning

Mourning was a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, winning in 1999 and 2000. His incredible timing, wingspan, explosiveness, and discipline made him an incredible presence in the lane.

Hakeem Olajuwon

The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has blocked more shots than any player in NBA history, with 3,830 blocks. Hakeem was incredible at not only blocking shots, but keeping the block in play to trigger a fast break.

Dikembe Mutombo

His famous finger wag is the celebration most synonymous with blocking a shot.The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year was the total package as a rim protector, and his 3289 blocks is second all-time.

Rudy Gobert

Before Victor Wembanyama’s debut, Gobert was the best rim protector in the league. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has incredible length and discipline, and understands when and when not to try for a blocked shot. His presence makes drivers wary of coming into the lane.

Manute Bol

If one was to argue that Manute Bol was the best pure shot blocker in NBA history, I wouldn’t argue with them. Bol averaged 3.34 blocks per game. That number, which is good enough for second all-time among those with enough games to qualify, is impressive in itself. But, he did it playing just 18.7 minutes per game. Nobody in the history of the NBA blocked more shots per minute than the 7-foot-7 Manute Bol.

Mark Eaton

The four-time NBA shot-blocking champion averaged a ridiculous 5.6 blocks per game in 1985-1986, which is the all-time single season record. His career average of 3.5 puts him at the top of the list among all qualifiers.

Ben Wallace

Wallace was only 6-foot-9, making him the shortest player on this list. But, he was an absolute physical freak, won four NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and would come out of seemingly nowhere to block shots. He was the best rim protector of the 2000s.

Shaquille O'Neal

As a pure shot-blocker, Shaquille O’Neal probably isn’t in the top ten. But, when you add in the intimation factor, given his size and strength, few players have ever dissuaded ball handlers from entering the key more than Shaq did. He finished 8th all-time in career blocks.

David Robinson

Robinson wasn’t the lankiest center by any means. But, his unbelievable agility, great timing, and phenomenal leaping ability allowed him to be one of the very best shot-blockers of all-time. When he teamed up with Tim Duncan at the end of his career the pair were arguably the best shot-blocking duo of all-time.