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Best rim protectors ranked by blocks per game weighted with size metrics. The players who make opponents think twice before driving to the basket.
| # | Player | Score | BPG | RPG | Tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Davis | Los Angeles Lakers | 79 | 2.3 | 12.6 | DPOY |
| 2 | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | 69.9 | 1.7 | 11 | DPOY |
| 3 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | 54.8 | 1.1 | 11.5 | Elite |
| 4 | Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | 54.3 | 0.9 | 12.4 | Elite |
| 5 | Kevin Durant | Phoenix Suns | 47.2 | 1.2 | 6.6 | Elite |
| 6 | LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | 32.7 | 0.5 | 7.3 | Good |
| 7 | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | 32.5 | 0.6 | 8.1 | Good |
| 8 | Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | 30.7 | 0.5 | 9.2 | Good |
| 9 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | 30.5 | 0.9 | 5.5 | Good |
| 10 | Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | 22.6 | 0.5 | 5.5 | Average |
| 11 | Tyrese Haliburton | Indiana Pacers | 22 | 0.7 | 3.9 | Average |
| 12 | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | 18.6 | 0.5 | 5.4 | Average |
| 13 | Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers | 15.8 | 0.4 | 5.1 | Average |
| 14 | De'Aaron Fox | Sacramento Kings | 15.1 | 0.4 | 4.6 | Average |
| 15 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 14.9 | 0.4 | 4.5 | Average |
| 16 | Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | 14.9 | 0.3 | 4.5 | Average |
| 17 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | 14.6 | 0.3 | 5.6 | Average |
| 18 | Damian Lillard | Milwaukee Bucks | 12.8 | 0.3 | 4.4 | Average |
| 19 | Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | 9.4 | 0.2 | 3.5 | Average |
| 20 | Trae Young | Atlanta Hawks | 6.3 | 0.1 | 2.8 | Average |
Download rim protector rankings.
Rim protection is the single most valuable defensive skill in basketball. A dominant shot blocker like Anthony Davis (2.3 BPG) does not just block shots — he alters dozens more, changing opponents' shot decisions before they even begin their drives. Studies show that elite rim protectors reduce opponent field goal percentage at the rim by 8-12%.
Based on blocks per game and size, Anthony Davis leads our rankings. However, players like Rudy Gobert and Brook Lopez also rank among the league's elite rim protectors when considering altered shot data.
Height helps but is not sufficient. Timing, positioning, and wingspan matter as much as height. Some 6'10" players are better rim protectors than 7-footers because of superior instincts and athleticism.
Modern rim protectors must also switch onto guards and shoot from the perimeter. Pure rim protectors who cannot defend in space are less valuable than versatile bigs who can protect the rim and guard the pick-and-roll.