
<p>Both offense and defense are essential in basketball. The timing of a block may completely change the game, energizing the fans and crushing the spirits of the other side. Particularly valuable is the ability to block shots, which calls for quick reflexes, physical prowess, and awareness of one’s surroundings.</p>



<p>The ability to stop shots is a rare talent that elevates even the best defenders to the next level. Masters of the shot block leave an everlasting impression on the game and raise the standard for future defensive greats.</p>



<p>Their performance on the court demonstrates that defense may be the greatest attack. Three of the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-players-with-the-most-technical-fouls-20230729-SPD-3852.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a>‘s best-ever shot-blockers are honored here.</p>



<h2>3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</h2>



<p>When talking about effective shot blockers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar must be included. <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-unexpected-mvps-of-all-time-20230728-SPD-3847.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abdul-Jabbar,</a> a former center for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, is third on the NBA’s all-time record with 3,189 blocks. The fact that Abdul-Jabbar set this mark before blocks were ever officially recorded by the NBA just adds to the awe inspired by his accomplishment.</p>



<p>Abdul-Jabbar was one of the most well-rounded players in NBA history because of his ability to score and defend at a high level thanks to his trademark skyhook and towering 7’2″ height.</p>



<h2>2. Dikembe Mutombo</h2>



<p>Dikembe Mutombo, a player of Congolese and American descent, amassed an NBA record 3,289 blocks throughout his career. Mutombo was a defensive powerhouse at center for the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks, among other teams.</p>



<p>Mutombo, who was 7 feet tall, often thwarted his opponents’ efforts to score because of his towering stature and lengthy limbs. As a signal of his defensive prowess, his distinctive finger wag after blocking a shot quickly became iconic.</p>



<h2>1. Hakeem Olajuwon</h2>



<p>Nigerian-American basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon tops the list as the best shot blocker in NBA history. Olajuwon played the center position for most of his 18-year NBA career, largely with the Houston Rockets, and set a record with 3,830 blocks.</p>



<p>His speed, agility, and timing let him block shots well. As a testament to his all-around greatness, Olajuwon is the only player in NBA history to retire in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and steals.</p>


NBA: Top 3 best shot blockers in history

NBA: Top 3 best shot blockers in history - thesportsdrops NEWS

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<p>There have been so many outstanding players in <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/the-top-3-smallest-players-throughout-nbas-history-20230206-SPD-3378.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA history</a></strong> that picking only five for the finest starting lineup ever is an impossible task. Nonetheless, the following players might form the best starting five in the NBA based on their individual achievements and their effect on the game.</p>



<p>All five of these players have created indelible marks on the sport of basketball, and they deserve to be considered among the game’s all-time best. The sports industry is only one of several that has caught the attention of the public as generative artificial intelligence (AI) spreads.</p>



<p>One of the latest iterations of chatbots is <em>ChatGPT</em>. As its popularity grew, we decided to try an experiment and ask it to choose the NBA’s all-time top starting five.</p>



<h2>Point Guard: Magic Johnson</h2>



<p>Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who stood at 6 feet 9 inches, changed the game of basketball with his stature, vision, and passing abilities as a point guard. He won five NBA titles and was named Most Valuable Player in the NBA Finals and NBA MVP three times each. He finished his career averaging 11.2 assists per game and led the league in assists on four separate occasions. In addition to his 12 All-Star appearances, Johnson was selected to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.</p>



<h2>Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan</h2>



<p>Michael Jordan won six NBA titles, was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals six times, and was named NBA MVP five times. He was a 14-time NBA All-Star and a 10-time scoring champion. Jordan’s clutch heroics have earned him a reputation, and he won his sixth NBA title with the game-winning jumper he made in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals.</p>



<h2>Small Forward: LeBron James</h2>



<p><strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/how-many-records-does-lebron-james-hold-complete-list-of-the-forwards-records-in-nba-20230208-SPD-3383.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a></strong> is widely considered to be one of the best basketball players of all time, having won four NBA titles, four NBA Finals MVP awards, and four NBA MVP awards. Moreover, he has been chosen for the NBA All-Star Game 17 times and has been named to the All-NBA First Team 13 times. James is a formidable force on both ends of the court because of his adaptability, athleticism, and court vision.</p>



<h2>Power Forward: Tim Duncan</h2>



<p>Tim Duncan won five NBA titles, three NBA Finals MVP awards, and two NBA MVP awards throughout his career. His dependability, leadership, and clutch performance earned him widespread acclaim. Being one of the best power forwards in NBA history, Duncan was chosen for 15 All-Star Games.</p>



<h2>Center: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</h2>



<p>With 38,387 points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the NBA record for most points scored. He was honored with six NBA MVP trophies, as well as two NBA Finals MVP honors, and two NBA championships. In addition to his 19 seasons as an NBA All-Star, Abdul-Jabbar was selected to play on the NBA’s All-Time Team for its 50th anniversary. He played in the NBA for a total of 20 seasons and was legendary for his unguardable skyhook.</p>


No Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain: ChatGPT picks NBA's all-time best starting five

No Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain: ChatGPT picks NBA's all-time best starting five - thesportsdrops NEWS


<p>There is no question that <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-the-russell-westbrook-trade-the-lakers-have-seriously-considered-20221004-SPD-2889.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> </strong>will eventually surpass <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/kawhi-leonard-to-make-injury-comeback-to-clippers-lineup-in-pre-season-game-against-trail-blazers-20221002-SPD-2883.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a></strong> as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Considering James is still playing at a high level and is coming off a year in which he averaged over 30 points per game, he should overtake the Los Angeles Lakers star and Hall of Famer at some point this season. </p>



<p>Assuming he remains healthy, James has a shot at the record midway through the season if he scores around the same number of points for the Lakers as he did last year.</p>



<p>This is a big deal for the start of the season, but LeBron didn’t say much about his feelings toward or history with Abdul-Jabbar. LeBron James was questioned about the Lakers’ legendary former player and whether or not the two were related after Monday night’s pre-season opener.</p>



<h2>LeBron James gives frigid answer on possibility of breaking Kareem’s record</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“No thoughts, and no relationship,” James said.</p></blockquote>



<p>It was a very frigid comment about a real legend of the Lakers and the NBA, and someone with whom James will be associated for months. The veteran is now 1,325 points short of catching up to Abdul-all-time Jabbar’s record of 38,387 as the new year begins. He would need only 49 games to reach the mark if he kept up his career scoring average of 27.1 points per contest.</p>


Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

NBA: Top 3 best shot blockers in history

No Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain: ChatGPT picks NBA's all-time best starting five

'No relationship' between LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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