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Top-5 block leaders in Timberwolves history

By Sam Nygaard

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 6: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 6: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

We continue our series taking a look at the Timberwolves franchise leaders in each category. This time, we’re ranking the top shot-blockers in team history.

Blocks are often an overlooked statistic, but they take the right combination of jumping, timing, and anticipation.

They can shift momentum, create fast breaks, and even win championships; like this one:

Although any player can block a shot, of course, it’s usually the power forwards and centers who excel in this category. In the Timberwolves’ 28-year history, they have had plenty of electrifying big men who put their bodies on the line to protect the rim at all costs.

In today’s NBA, with the rise of the stretch-four, big men who can defend the hoop effectively are crucial to a successful basketball team. This has been a consistent trend throughout the history of the league, dating back to the days of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain when blocks weren’t even an officially tracked statistic.

Fortunately for today’s Timberwolves, they have one of the most exciting up-and-coming shot-blockers in Karl-Anthony Towns, who just missed out on this list. If his third season keeps pace with his first two in terms of blocks, he will come in at the fourth spot of this list. (Which speaks to both the dearth of true shot-blockers in Wolves history and Towns’ level of talent.)

For now, enjoy this video of Towns mercilessly blocking former college teammate Devin Booker:

Let’s take a look at the current top-five shot-blockers in Timberwolves franchise history.

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