Brook Lopez has been a prolific shot-blocker and the best in Brooklyn Nets history.
The Brooklyn Nets began life in New Jersey, and in the ABA. Then known as the New York Nets, the franchise joined the NBA in the 1976-77 season. That means when it comes to career numbers, there is a mix of ABA and NBA basketball in the mix. However, the NBA did not start recording blocks as a stat until the 1973-74 season, and every player in the Nets’ top five is an NBA-era Net. Here they are, starting with a guy who changed his game after leaving the franchise.
1. Brook Lopez – 972 blocks
Playing in both New Jersey and Brooklyn, Lopez made his only All-Star Game appearance (2013) with the franchise. In the early days, he was a traditional big center, piling up buckets, boards, and blocks. His final season in Brooklyn showed a sign of what was to come with the Lakers and Bucks, as Lopez hoisted 387 3-pointers – after entering the year with 31 career attempts. Even though his game has evolved to include more shooting, shot blocking has remained a top skill for Lopez: He’s averaged more than two blocks per game in five seasons throughout his career.
2. George Johnson – 863 blocks
They called Johnson “The Fly Swatter” because he had one strong suit on the court: he was an all-time shot blocker, especially with the New Jersey Nets. Johnson averaged 3.2 blocks or more in his first three seasons with the Nets, once leading the NBA in blocks (3.4; 1977-78). He later followed that with another two league-leading seasons playing for the Spurs. Johnson returned to New Jersey in 1984-85 when he was 36 and still managed to average 1.2 blocks per game in only 12.3 minutes.
3. Buck Williams – 696 blocks
Williams was a good shot blocker and profiled as an excellent defensive player. He averaged 1.1 blocks per game over eight seasons with the Nets, also chipping in 0.9 steals and 7.9 defensive rebounds per game. Williams made three All-Star Games as a Net and won Rookie of the Year. Though he played nearly as many years with Portland, the Nets are the team that retired Williams’ number.
4. Nic Claxton – 611 blocks
Nic Claxton was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets with the 31st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He’s spent seven years in Brooklyn, where he averaged 1.6 blocks, with his best defensive season being the 2022-23 campaign. In that season, he swatted 2.5 shots per game for the Nets in 76 games played.
5. Mike Gminski – 599 blocks
Gminski, like Williams, also played for the Nets throughout the 1980s. Gminski was coming off the bench early in his career, and in 1982-83, he blocked 1.5 shots per game in 15.7 minutes. Later, Gminski became a starter, and in his final three seasons with the Nets he averaged over 16 points per game.
