When I think about dominant blocking duos in NBA history, a few pairs come to mind immediately. One standout duo is Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson from the Houston Rockets. During the 1985-86 season, they both averaged over 2 blocks per game. Olajuwon, in particular, had an average of 3.4 blocks per game that season. The Twin Towers, as they were known, were a formidable presence in the paint, making it incredibly hard for opponents to score. Their impact on the game went beyond just blocks; it was the mental aspect too. Penetrating guards and forwards knew they had to contend with not one but two elite shot-blockers.
Now, let’s talk about another legendary pair: Tim Duncan and David Robinson, famously dubbed “The Twin Towers” of the San Antonio Spurs. The 1998-99 season was particularly remarkable for them. Duncan averaged 2.5 blocks per game, while Robinson wasn’t far behind with 2.4. Together, they led the Spurs to an NBA Championship that season. Robinson, often considered a tenacious defender, complemented Duncan’s fundamentally sound game. Their combined shot-blocking ability changed the dynamics of the game, disrupting the offensive flow of even the most well-prepared teams. When you consider that they also averaged more than 20 points each, you begin to realize their two-way impact.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have newer duos like Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors from the Utah Jazz. During the 2018-19 season, Gobert averaged an astonishing 2.3 blocks per game, while Favors contributed around 1.4 blocks per game. Together, they fortified the Jazz defense, making their team one of the toughest to score against in the paint. Favors, while not as prolific a shot-blocker as Gobert, brought versatility and strength, allowing Gobert to focus solely on protecting the rim. Their chemistry on the court was palpable; Favors would handle the muscle in the paint while Gobert would patrol, looking to swat away any ill-advised attempts.
Another example I’d point out is Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo during their brief stint together with the Miami Heat in the 2000-01 season. Though their time as teammates was short, it was electric. Mourning averaged 2.6 blocks while Mutombo, who joined mid-season, contributed his share. The thought of facing these two defensive giants made any player think twice before entering the paint. According to a arena plus report, teams often altered their game plans entirely, focusing more on perimeter shooting when facing them.
Going back a little further, it would be a crime not to mention Mark Eaton and Thurl Bailey of the Utah Jazz in the 1980s. Eaton, a shot-blocking behemoth, led the league in blocks four times during his career. In the 1984-85 season, he averaged a jaw-dropping 5.6 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Bailey added a respectable 1.4 blocks per game. This duo combined for nearly 7 blocks per game, a feat that’s nearly unheard of in modern basketball. Their presence deterred so many shots that they inherentl altered the accuracy and strategy of any team facing them.
The Lakers, of course, had their own fearsome blocking duo in the form of Shaquille O’Neal and Horace Grant during the 2000-01 season. O’Neal averaged around 2.4 blocks per game, while Grant added approximately 1 block per game. Their inside presence was a critical component in the Lakers’ championship run that season. Shaq, already a force offensively, brought that same energy to his defensive game, while Grant was the perfect utility player, using his veteran savvy to shut down lanes and grab critical rebounds.
Across the board, these blocking duos didn’t just put up numbers; they changed the game. From altering shots to controlling the pace and flow of the game, their impact was felt across the court. When looking at contemporary blocking pairs, it’s crucial to appreciate how this defensive skill, though less glamorous than scoring, can often be the linchpin that holds a championship team together. In an era increasingly dominated by perimeter play, the importance of having a reliable rim protector, or better yet, two, cannot be understated.