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Rim protection is one of the most important facets of the game of basketball, especially in the NBA. Some of the best defenders in the history of the league are Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Russell and Dennis Rodman, to name a few. One thing common in all of them was that they were excellent shot blockers.
Olajuwon is undoubtedly one of the best centers in the history of the league. He led the NBA with 3,830 blocks during his glorious career. He led the team from the front every time he took the floor, but his rim protection was elite.
In the 90s, a player needed to be great in the paint to achieve success. Although times have changed and in today's game, players like taking three pointers, shot-blocking remains key. There are still players like Giannis Antetokounmpo who have made the paint their own.
Players like Rudy Gobert, Myles Turner and Clint Capela are extraordinary rim protectors. However, there are also many others who have done extremely well as shot blockers. On that note, here's a look at the five active players with the most blocks in their careers.
#5 Anthony Davis - 1359
Anthony Davis was the number one overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He had already garnered a name for himself while at Kentucky.
As a rookie, Davis was part of an elite group of players from Team USA who won gold at the 2012 London Olympics. That team had greats like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. Playing with those legends has helped AD massively in the long run. He has elevated his game every passing year, and is on course to achieve more glory.
He was a star for the New Orleans Pelicans, as he scored big points for them and also put on great defensive displays. Throughout his seven-year stint with them, he scored at an average of 23.7 PPG, and also recorded 2.4 BPG.
His brilliance helped him land a trade to the LA Lakers, where he blossomed into one of the top players in the league. He was a key part of the Lakers' 2020 NBA championship team, and is currently one of their best players.
His ability to score is always appreciated, but he is also a terrific defender. The 28-year-old is a two-time All-NBA first-team Defensive player and a three-time block leader. In his ten seasons with the NBA, Davies has secured a total of 1359 blocks, and is on his way to increasing that tally, and climbing up this list.
#4 DeAndre Jordan - 1480
DeAndre Jordan was a second-round pick of the LA Clippers in 2008. He was one of the most important parts of the Lob City Clippers that also had the likes of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
DJ was a lob threat from the start of his NBA career, and even today with the LA Lakers, he continues to be one.
Along with being a terrific rebounder, Jordan is a superb rim protector as well. He is a two-time member of the All-Defense First Team, and also made it to the All-Star game in 2016.
The 33-year-old has been a part of five different NBA teams. Throughout his 15-year career, he has blocked a total of 1480 shots at a career average of 1.6 BPG.
He will look to continue his brilliance, and add a few more numbers to his tally before he calls time on his NBA career.
#3 Brook Lopez - 1518
Brook Lopez was selected tenth overall by the New Jersey Nets in the 2008 NBA draft. He was one of the best players in the team, becoming their all-time top scorer after nine seasons with them. The 33-year-old scored a total of 10,444 points on 50.6% shooting from the field.
After that, he stayed a year with the Lakers before moving to the Milwaukee Bucks. Lopez was an essential part of the team that won the championship in 2021.
In his 14-year NBA career, Brook has been a part of one All-NBA second team. The NBA champion has secured a total of 1518 blocks at an average of 1.8 BPG. He is currently injured. But once he's back in action, the big man will look to secure a few more blocks and help the Bucks make another run at the championship.
#2 Serge Ibaka - 1720
Serge Ibaka is one of the most dominant centers in the NBA. He was a second-round pick of the Seattle Supersonics, and worked a lot to make a name for himself in the league. When the team moved to Oklahoma, Ibaka rose to fame, courtesy of his brilliant defensive displays.
He played seven seasons with OKC, and made it to three All-NBA First Teams. and won two rebounding titles. Ibaka then moved to the Orlando Magic before getting traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he won the NBA championship. He is now with the Clippers, and is recovering from a back injury he suffered last season.
The veteran has been a brilliant presence in all the teams he has been with so far. Ibaka's presence in the paint is lethal, as he is a terrific rim protector, and can also defend any big man in the league. Ibaka has a total of 1720 blocks, and will look to record a few more before he retires.
#1 Dwight Howard - 2203
Dwight Howard is one of the best centers in the modern era. He was drafted number one overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 draft.
Howard was one of the leaders of the Magic team that went to the NBA Finals in 2009. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards with the team as he established a name for himself in the league.
Howard is a two-time block leader in the league, and has also made it to four All NBA Defensive First Teams.
Despite having to move several teams in his career, Howard remains an elite defensive player. In his 18-year NBA career, the big man averages a total of 1.8 BPG, and has 2203 blocks to his name.
Although he is 13th on the NBA's all-time block leaders list, Howard is capable of producing a few more to move up the list.
