Who is the best shot blocker of all-time?

levintblack · 03-15-2008, 04:56 AM

So the thought occurred to me today that even though Dikembe has roughly 500-600 less blocks in his career than Hakeem is he actually a better shot blocker. The reason I thought it might be possible was two fold. First Deke has come off the about 1/3 of his career giving him a lot less minutes. Second he didn't start college until 22 and didn't start pro's until 25.

I decided to do a little math to get a better idea of which one I think is the better blocker. What I did was find out the average minutes played per block (divide minutes played by total blocks). Dikembe is actually better than Hakkem. Deke gets a block every 11.17 minutes while Hakeem is 11.54 minutes. This might not seem like a big difference but its bigger than you think. We are dealing with ten's of thousands of minutes played and thousands of blocks. Plus the clear cut best two shot blockers ever so a difference of .37 minutes is significant. Taking an average starting season (75 games and 26 minutes per game) the .37 minutes difference makes a .11 difference in their averages blocks per game. Like I said not huge but significant.

Now there is one argument for Hakeem that makes it possible for him to still be considered the best ever. Hakeem spent a lot of energy on the offensive end doing his shake while Deke was never a focal point offensively and could therefore rest more.

What it comes down to is how much weight you give to each side. For me I go with Deke because of one final reason. If teams had just been okay with a defensive stopper as a center Deke would have played more in the early to mid 2000's and he would therefore have the record. Adding that to his better average block rate and he would widely be considered the best.

So what do you guys think? Which one is the best? Are there any other reasons I didn't think of you choose who you do?

levintblack · 03-15-2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levintblack

So the thought occurred to me today that even though Dikembe has roughly 500-600 less blocks in his career than Hakeem is he actually a better shot blocker. The reason I thought it might be possible was two fold. First Deke has come off the bench about 1/3 of his career giving him a lot less minutes. Second he didn't start college until 22 and didn't start pro's until 25.

I decided to do a little math to get a better idea of which one I think is the better blocker. What I did was find out the average minutes played per block (divide minutes played by total blocks). Dikembe is actually better than Hakeem. Deke gets a block every 11.17 minutes while Hakeem is 11.54 minutes. This might not seem like a big difference but its bigger than you think. We are dealing with ten's of thousands of minutes played and thousands of blocks. Plus the clear cut best two shot blockers ever so a difference of .37 minutes is significant. Taking an average starting season (75 games and 36 minutes per game) the .37 minutes difference makes a .11 difference in their averages blocks per game. Like I said not huge but significant.

Now there is one argument for Hakeem that makes it possible for him to still be considered the best ever. Hakeem spent a lot of energy on the offensive end doing his shake while Deke was never a focal point offensively and could therefore rest more.

What it comes down to is how much weight you give to each side. For me I go with Deke because of one final reason. If teams had just been okay with a defensive stopper as a center Deke would have played more in the early to mid 2000's and he would therefore have the record. Adding that to his better average block rate and he would widely be considered the best.

So what do you guys think? Which one is the best? Are there any other reasons I didn't think of you choose who you do?

Sorry should have proof read before posting made the edits needed. This is what I get for posting at 6 in the morning.

dandorotik · 03-15-2008, 05:10 AM

Olajuwon was shorter. He gets the nod.

levintblack · 03-15-2008, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandorotik

Olajuwon was shorter. He gets the nod.

If that's your argument then Alonzo Mourning should be your No. 1.

levintblack · 03-15-2008, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levintblack

If that's your argument then Alonzo Mourning should be your No. 1.

Actually after mentioning him I decided to do the math with him. I remember him be absolutely dominant as a shot blocker. Well despite coming back from kidney problems he actually is my pick. His average is 11.02 and the last couple years he's done it while not at his true full strength due to the aforementioned issue. It's amazing how good he is at blocking while being 6'10". He's always been one of the guys I respect the most. I feel kind of stupid for posting I pick one guy and ten minutes later remembering a different guy who changes my pick.

Yodels · 03-15-2008, 07:02 AM

you just gotta watch the games man...it is all about radius of dominance. Like Ben Wallace in his prime, Hakeem covered a lot of floor for his blocks if need be. In the early 90s, it was ridiculous....he was just a vacuum...best I've ever seen....

Also let me remind you there are many types of blocks....
Blocking jumpers, 3ptrs...
Blocking your man
Weakside block
Block from behind on a break

We know Hakeem is renowned to do them all. He did it with timing, jumping ability, wingspan and incredible high hand coordination coupled with exceptional footwork. Akeem played a lot of soccer and handball in his youth that lended itself to those natural skills.

DrNuegebauer · 03-15-2008, 07:10 AM

FACTS:
Mutombos career started in 1991
He played his first game off the bench in 2002
which means that he was a starter for the first 11 years of his career (or the first 840 games if you like)
His primary role through the 90s was to block shots (which he does very well thank you!)

Moving on: he has a stellar record as a shot blocker and should certainly be one of the candidates!

I don't rate Mourning the class of Olajuwon or Mourning (despite his better bpm rating) BECAUSE he hasn't played the 'golden years' yet - he's currently 36, Hakeem retired at 40 and Mutombo is almost 42. You'd think in the next season or so, Alonzos bpm stat might fall somewhat....

My vote is going to go to Hakeem for a couple of reasons:
firstly he expended more energy on the offensive end.
secondly, the man averaged 1.75 steals per game over his career (Mourning is 0.5, Deke 0.4) - and we all know that to get a steal you need to have your hands low to poke the ball out. Which means that he then had to react to missing the steal and get the arms UP to block the shot. OR, if he made the steal, he then had no shot to block...
(seriously - 1.75spg over a 19 year career as a CENTER??)

In the end, they're all greats at the art - I'm probably just showing a touch of favouritism!

Bandwagoner · 03-15-2008, 07:24 AM

Dream and just like has already been said its because of steals.

If you block a shot and the guy gets ir right back you are probably in worse position than before.

If you block a shot and take it away from him, thats fast break city.

lawe · 03-15-2008, 07:39 AM

I dont care, cause those two guys are from the same team... :D :D

cody · 03-15-2008, 08:12 AM

hakeem was 6'10" (though listed taller), deke is 7'2.... i would argue hakeem

mbiker · 03-15-2008, 08:20 AM

Best shot blocker of all-time.

1. Bill Russell
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Hakeem Olajuwon
4. Dikembe Mutombo
5. Mark Eaton

LeGrouper · 03-15-2008, 08:46 AM

Olajuwon you fool, not even a valid question.

baller4life315 · 03-15-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbiker

Best shot blocker of all-time.
1. Bill Russell
2. Wilt Chamberlain

Were you alive to actually see these guys play or are you just speculating?

Lil Pun · 03-15-2008, 08:52 AM

Olajuwon, based on stats.

Yodels · 03-15-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Pun

Olajuwon, based on stats.

Olajuwon based on play. When needed (4th qtr), he can block every shot...he had the ability to evade the offensive player and still get it...

Olajuwon's mobilty, motor > Chamberlin's, Jabaar's, Deke's
Olajuwon's height, length > Russell

With his stealing ability, he was the best defensive weapon of all time...

It's like this argument I had with someone, in his 2nd year in the league, I was ready to proclaim Duncan the best at his position, even more than Karl...there are just folks that don't look at it objectively...you have to look at the stats and your eyes as well as the competition...

aaronnguyen · 03-15-2008, 09:43 AM

Who else but our own Dream and nightmare for the other team. Hakeem Olajuwon!

RocketTilIDie · 03-15-2008, 09:45 AM

the dream...close thread

BeeBeard · 03-15-2008, 09:59 AM

Dream could have blocked even more shots than he did. It's just that the Rockets needed him out of foul trouble and on the floor, rebounding and scoring points, so Hakeem had to often refrain from trying to block some shots. Unlike Mutombo, who has the freedom as a role player to take a swat at anything that comes near the basket, Hakeem developed into a multi-faceted offensive threat who rarely could rarely spare the fouls to go after every single shot.

bucket · 03-15-2008, 10:06 AM

Dream was so dominant that shooters generally wouldn't challenge him. If you read his book, Living the Dream, he talks about how he used to hide behind other guys so that perimeter players wouldn't see him and would try to drive to the basket. If they saw him in the paint, they wouldn't even try it, so he actually had to trick them into challenging him.

BeeBeard · 03-15-2008, 10:17 AM

I used to get disgusted when I saw some no-name punk dunk on Dream, Yao, or even Mutombo, and then taunt him over it. Shot blocking is undoubtedly the hardest thing to do in professional basketball. It takes perfect timing, supreme coordination, and quick-jumping athleticism. And yet we're supposed to be so impressed by this dunk (which practically everyone in the pro game can do) over a shot blocker?