Who calls the shots in the no-fly zone under the basket? Olajuwon is not number one in the NBA rankings of shot-blocking beasts?

The most exciting thing on the basketball court, apart from dunks, is a solid hot pot shot. Old fans must remember Mutombo's wagging finger after blocking a shot, which was a declaration of sovereignty under the basket; they will also never forget Olajuwon's domineering way of fanning the opponent's shot into the audience like a dreamy dance. So the question is, in the history of the NBA, who is the ultimate devil in blocking shots at the basket? Today, let’s talk about the creators of the “no-fly zone” that have kept countless heroes away from the basket.

01 The data does not lie: The mythical beast on the block list

The NBA only started counting blocks in the 1973-74 season, so ancient mythical beasts like Zhang Dashuai did not catch up with the good times. But just from the records of more than fifty years, it is enough for us to pick out a series of thunderous names. Hakimi Olajuwon ranks first in the history of blocks with 3,830 blocks. "Big Dream" is not only gorgeous on the offensive end, but also a pillar of strength on the defensive end. Followed by Dikembe Mutombo's 3,289 blocks, plus that iconic finger wagging, which has become a nightmare for many offensive players. But when it comes to average blocks per game, it depends on Mark Eaton - this Jazz giant can average 3.5 hot pots per game, and he is a must-slap every time he hits the ball!

02 Single performance: The night of the gods that shocked the ancients

Speaking of blocks in a single game, it is even more scary. Elmore Smith holds the NBA record for blocks in a single game with 17. Imagine how it feels to have to face those big hands that cover the sky every time your opponent gets to the basket throughout the game. What is it like? Manute Bol, the Sudanese giant, is also unambiguous. He blocked 15 shots in two games. He is 2.31 meters tall and has a wingspan of 2.59 meters. Even if he doesn't jump when he stands under the basket, he is still enough to give his opponent a drink. Even Shaquille O'Neal once scored 15 hits in a single game when he was young, telling you what it means to dominate the basket.

03 Long-lasting stability: Lasting season-long dominance

It is easy to break out in a single game, but what is difficult is to be so strong in a season. Mark Eaton set a single-season record of 456 blocks in the 1984-85 season, averaging 5.56 per game! That means he turns his opponent's offense on at least five times per game. Mutombo is even more ruthless. He has been the total block leader in the regular season for 5 consecutive seasons. This kind of lasting dominance is the only one in the league.

04 Triple-double of blocks: A representative of all-round defense

A truly terrifying shot blocker who can not only hit flying balls, but also drive the entire team's defense. In the history of the NBA, there are only a handful of players who have achieved a "triple-double in terms of points, rebounds, and blocks". Olajuwon topped the list with 11 blocked shots and a triple-double. This is not just about height and jumping, but also requires extraordinary defensive anticipation and awareness. Mutombo (10 times) and David Robinson (9 times) follow.

05 Legendary moment: Blocks that changed the game

Some blocks are not just a statistic, but directly take away the game or even the series. The most classic one is undoubtedly the 2016 Finals G7. James' "death block" on Iguodala was judged in the slightest to be not interference with the ball, but a clean block, which directly helped the Cavaliers lock the first championship in team history. Mutombo also had a miracle where he blocked 4 shots in one round. He simply locked up the basket, preventing the opponent from shooting no matter how hard he shot.

So who is the real shot-blocking devil? In terms of total numbers, Olajuwon is unbeatable; in terms of per-game average, Mark Eaton is terrifying; in terms of durability, Mutombo leads the way; in terms of a single game, Elmore Smith's 17 blocks have yet to be broken by anyone. The real blockers are not one person, but those defensive souls who used their big hands to protect the dignity of the team's penalty area.