Top 5 Greatest shot blockers in San Antonio Spurs history

The Spurs' franchise record books are rich with legendary players, especially when it comes to shot blockers. Multiple Hall of Famers grace the top of the list in this category.

1. Tim Duncan, 1997-2016 (3,020 blocks)

The venerable Tim Duncan’s career, which began when he was tabbed with the first overall pick in 1997, epitomizes Spurs excellence. The Hall of Famer ultimately played an integral part in all five championship teams in team history and secured 15 All-Star nods, two league MVPs and three NBA Finals MVPs among numerous other accolades. Duncan’s 6-foot-11 frame rendered him a highly reliable source of blocks who averaged at least 2.0 rejections per contest in 12 seasons, including each of his first 10 pro campaigns.

2. David Robinson, 1989-2003 (2,954 blocks)

The back half of “The Admiral” David Robinson’s distinguished NBA tenure overlapped with Duncan’s, a fitting development considering the many similarities between the two quiet leaders. Not only were the Twin Towers’ personalities very much in sync, but Robinson also preceded Duncan as a No. 1 overall pick of the franchise nearly a decade prior. Also a career-long Spur and outstanding defensive presence, Robinson still nearly ended up atop this list despite essentially playing six fewer seasons than his protege due to back and foot injuries costing him all but six games during the 1996-97 campaign. Robinson was a prolific shot blocker right from the onset of his career, never averaging less than 3.2 blocks per game in a non-injury-shortened season until the 1997-98 campaign. Robinson finished his career with an average of exactly 3.0 blocks per contest, underscoring what an elite rim protector he profiled as.

3. George Gervin, 1974-85 (938 blocks)

George “The Iceman” Gervin arrived in San Antonio in January 1974 after he was sent to the Spurs by Virginia Squires for cash. He remained with the franchise for 11 years, a period that encompassed the team’s transition to the NBA beginning with the 1976-77 campaign. Gervin was one of the most gifted scorers of his era and a consistent contributor of rebounds as well. However, his legacy on the other side of the floor is also formidable, considering Gervin averaged between 1.0 and 1.6 blocks in each of his first seven Spurs seasons and at least 2.0 rejections per game in two separate playoff runs.

4. Billy Paultz, 1975-80 (796 blocks)

Billy Paultz was traded from the then New York Nets to the Spurs ahead of the 1975-1976 season, where he would be a part of a playoff team in each of his four seasons with the franchise. Entering the league in inconspicuous fashion as a seventh-round pick of the San Diego Rockets in 1970, Paultz carved out an impressive career that included four All-Star nods (one with the Spurs) and the 1976 ABA blocks title, the latter garnered courtesy of an average of 3.0 blocks per contest in his Spurs debut campaign. Paultz never averaged less than 1.0 blocks per game during his San Antonio tenure, which included two other seasons with an average of over 2.0 blocks. 

5. Artis Gilmore, 1982-87 (700 blocks)

Artis Gilmore had already put in 11 seasons on the hardwood at the pro level – the first five with the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels – before he arrived in San Antonio ahead of the 1982-83 season. The 7-foot-2 center came with a well-earned reputation as an impenetrable force near the basket, having averaged 5.0 blocks per game as a rookie with the Colonels and over 3.0 in each of his next three seasons as well. Despite first donning a San Antonio uniform at age 33, Gilmore compiled over 2.0 blocks per game in each of his first three Spurs seasons before wrapping up his tenure with averages of 1.5 and 1.2 in his final two campaigns.