15. Shawn Bradley (2,119)
13. Dwight Howard (2,228)
12. Marcus Camby (2,331)
11. Alonzo Mourning (2,356)
10. Robert Parish (2,361)
9. Tree Rollins (2,542)
8. Shaquille O’Neal (2,732)
6. David Robinson (2,954)
5. Tim Duncan (3,020)
4. Mark Eaton (3,064)
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3,189)
2. Dikembe Mutombo (3,289)

An art form

Shot blocking is an art form that can be the difference between winning and losing in the NBA. Here are the players who've done it more than anyone in history.

15. Shawn Bradley (2,119)

Although he wasn't shifty with his feet, the 7ft6 Shawn Bradley was nearly the same height as the rim, making him one of the most effective shot blockers in NBA history. In his first six NBA seasons, he averaged 3.4 blocks per game, per Bleacher Report.

13. Dwight Howard (2,228)

Dwight Howard was the league's top rim protector at his peak with the Orlando Magic. He was literally like Superman in his early days, swatting shots at will and winning three Defensive Player of the Year titles, per Essentially Sports.

12. Marcus Camby (2,331)

From the late 1990s to the early 2010s, Marcus Camby was an elite rim protector, leading the league in blocks in four separate seasons, including three consecutive seasons with the Denver Nuggets in the 2000s.

11. Alonzo Mourning (2,356)

An NBA champion with the Miami Heat in 2006, Alonzo Mourning was one of the most athletic big men in the 1990s and 2000s, dominating the paint ferociously with the Charlotte Hornets in his early career. His block total reflects that.

10. Robert Parish (2,361)

Nicknamed "The Chief," Robert Parish was the defensive wall for the Boston Celtics during the 1980s, helping them secure three NBA titles during the 1980s. At 7ft1, Parish had the size and aggressive nature to protect the rim at all costs.

9. Tree Rollins (2,542)

According to Bleacher Report, in the first ten years of his career, Tree Rollins averaged 4.1 blocks per 75 possessions, trailing only three players. He was the NBA blocks leader in 1983 and averaged 2.2 blocks per game in his 18-season NBA career.

8. Shaquille O’Neal (2,732)

Shaquille O'Neal is the most dominant force the NBA has ever seen, dunking on players after being triple-teamed and swatting players away at will on the defensive end. O'Neal is an icon and someone you wouldn't want to meet in the paint.

6. David Robinson (2,954)

"The Admiral," David Robinson, was an elite offensive player and an all-time rim protector. In his first seven NBA seasons, he averaged 25.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. This is incredible on its own, but consider the 3.6 blocks per game during that stretch. Incredible.

5. Tim Duncan (3,020)

Tim Duncan blocked at least three shots in 621 games, second only to Hakeem Olajuwon on the list. Duncan is the most incredible power forward of all time and is the only PF to register over 3000 blocks in NBA history. Elite.

4. Mark Eaton (3,064)

The 7ft4 Mark Eaton averaged 4.2 blocks in his first seven seasons in the NBA, and he also holds an NBA record, averaging 5.6 blocks in the 1984/85 season. He is a two-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award.

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3,189)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 38,387 points, per ESPN, is what he will always be remembered for, but his shot-blocking ability as a center doesn't get talked about enough. He is third all-time in blocked shots and played at an all-time level on both ends.

2. Dikembe Mutombo (3,289)

For a decade and a half, four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Dikembe Mutombo, dominated the paint, and his iconic finger wag was his calling card after a block. He had eight seasons with at least three blocks per game.