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5 Best Blocks in NBA History: 2023 Edition

best blocks nba history

We take a look at the best blocks in NBA history. One of the most underrated NBA stats, blocked shots can get crowds pumped up and they can completely swing the momentum of games.

Best Blocks in NBA History

Shot blocks only became an official NBA statistic in 1985. Lets check out the five best blocks in NBA history.

5. Roy Hibbert on Carmelo Anthony (2013)

Carmelo Anthony was a scoring machine and after some of the biggest trade rumours of all time, joined the Knicks in 2011. In Game 6 of the 2013 second-round playoff series the Knicks were charging towards levelling the series 3-all. With a two-point lead in hand, Anthony spun around Paul George and headed for a baseline dunk.

Up stepped Roy Hibbert who had excellent rim protection all series. Hibbert was matched up against 2012 Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler. He stepped up and completely stuffed Anthony at the rim with his fifth block of the game which just so happens to be one of the best blocks in NBA history.

The block completely swung momentum of the game in favor of Hibbert and the Pacers. New York looked like they were going to take the series to a Game 7 in New York until Hibbert’s block. The Pacers went on a 9-0 run after the block and outscored the Knicks 16-7 to close out the game.

The loss marked the end of any momentum the Knicks had in the 2010’s and kick started eight straight losing years for New York.

4. Ben Wallace on Hakeem Olajuwan (2002)

Hall of Famer Ben Wallace could block anyone, even one of the best defenders in NBA history, Hakeem Olajuwon. It was April 27th 2002, and Game 3 of the Pistons and Raptors first round playoff series.

Hakeem Olajuwon has the most blocks in NBA history with 3,830 but he was on the receiving end of one of the best blocks ever this time around. Wallace himself would finish his career with 2,137 blocks of his own.

The block marked the handing over of the reins of the best shot blocker in the NBA, with Olajuwon passing the baton over to Wallace. Olajuwan retired at the end of the season and Wallace went on to become a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

3. Nate Robinson on Yao Ming (2006)

Nate Robinson was very short by NBA standards standing at 5-foot-9. Coming up against one of the tallest players ever, Yao Ming standing at 7-foot-6, it seemed like it would be a mismatch for the ages.

Robinson has the most slam dunk contest wins of all-time with three, so no one should underestimate what he was capable of. Having one of the best blocks of all time over Yao Ming is still something that’s hard to fathom.

Showing freakish athleticism and timing, Robinson rose up and blocked the almost two-feet taller Yao Ming. It wasn’t enough for the Knicks to win the 2006 regular season game, but Robinson proved that the little guys can make it in the NBA, and it looked like he made Yao Ming cry in the process.

2. Ben Wallace on Shaq (2006)

Ben Wallace had his number 3 jersey retired by the Detroit Pistons in 2016 and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner was a one-way superstar, able to dominate a game without the need to score points.

Wallace pops up on the list again with one of the best blocks in NBA history. As the 7-foot-1, 325-pound Shaq went up at the rim, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Wallace jumped up and blocked Shaq’s shot with brute strength and timing.

Shaq said after the game that he didn’t think it was a block, saying to reporters: “That was a foul, young lady. You know that was a foul. Don’t ask dumb questions”. Sorry Shaq but it’s clear that block was legit and one of the best of all time.

1. LeBron James on Andre Iguodala (2016)

With 1:56 left to play in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, Andre Iguodala was on a clean break and was a certainty to put the Golden State Warriors ahead with the scores locked at 89-apiece. Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James never gave up on the play.

He chased down Iguodala at an incredible 20.1 miles per hour. LeBron sprung at the ball from behind, soaring 35 inches and blocking Iguodala’s layup with the best block in NBA history. “The Block” swung momentum of the game completely.

LeBron’s block is seen as the play that helped decide the game and the 2016 NBA Championship. It also helped to create a legacy for one of the best players of all-time, and is a reason why the Cavaliers are one of the most popular NBA teams.

The Cavaliers stopped the best team in regular season history, the 73-9 Golden State Warriors, and became the only team ever to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. “The Block” is considered one of LeBron James’ greatest clutch moments, and is one of the best players in NBA history.

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