NBA Today: 5 Greatest shot blockers in the league right now

#1 Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)

Houston Rockets v Utah Jazz - Game Three

The Jazz’s rim protector is Rudy Gobert. The 7’1 center from France is known as the “French Rejection”. He was drafted 27th overall in 2013 by the Jazz and since has terrorized shot takers in the NBA.

Gobert has racked up five straight seasons averaging 2 plus shot blocks a game. In fact, the Jazz averaged 111 ppg in 2019 while giving up just 106 ppg. Gobert’s 2.3 bpg really helped them in the win/loss category as the Jazz were 50-32 on the season.

Gobert is a splendid defender and is the NBA’s reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner. Gobert was also the NBA’s blocks leader in 2017 when he accumulated 214 blocks that season.

In 2019, Gobert had 187 blocked shots over 81 games. Gobert who also provided the Jazz with 15.9ppg and 12.9 rpg in 2019 has a career total of 895 blocks in his six years in the NBA.

This list takes into account the usefulness of the players selected to their current or former clubs. Honorable mentions go to players like Dwight Howard, who while technically active, only managed to play 9 games for the Washington Wizards this season.

Players like Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks were also considered as he averaged 2.4bpg in 66 games in 20.6 mpg but he has only one year of stats to judge by. Perhaps Robinson repeats this feat in 2019/20.

The shot block has long been a key component of defenses in the NBA as it allows you to be proactive rather than reactive with double teams, switches and even forcing driving opponents to your rim protector. Its always comforting to know your last line of defense will bail you out when necessary.