Greatest shot blocker in each NBA team’s history

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Manute Bol, Washington Bullets
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Best shot blocker in Washington Wizards history: Manute Bol

Like Mark Eaton, it appears as though the basketball gods weren’t paying attention when deciding on the physical traits of one Manute Bol. They gave him a body that reached a whopping 7-foot-7 in height, tied for the tallest in league history, and arms that could probably grab hold of the rim without ever having to leave the floor.

Coming out of the University of Bridgeport as a second-round pick, Manute was an extremely raw prospect, whose size gave him immense potential, but who also lacked tangible skills on the offensive end.

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He could never get his weight up to a comparable level, leaving him susceptible to being overpowered physically down low. His scoring average never crossed the four-point threshold in any of his 10 seasons in the league, likely due to that lack of strength and a relative inability to develop a consistent low-post game.

As one of the true giants of the game, there was obviously one thing Bol could do at the highest of levels, and that was blocking any and all shots. He may not have even had unbelievable awareness or nuanced timing, but at that height, the two-time blocks champ didn’t have to try very hard to send shots back. It probably only took a bunny-hop of shorts, and yet he’d still swallow the basketball whole.

Despite never really increasing his level of play, Bol was still one of the most fascinating players to watch. The only player in league history with more blocks than points, his length made sure no shot was out of reach and any opponent would have to truly earn their points if they decided to attack the bucket.

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