Coming into the 2012 playoffs, Tim Duncan had 453 career playoff blocks, good enough for third all-time. He only trailed Hakeem Olajuwon (472) and the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has 476 in his playoff career.
Last night when Russell Westbrook went in for a layup in the closing seconds of the second quarter, Duncan got in the way and blocked his shot. With that block he tied Olajuwon with 472 blocks.
He finished the night with four blocks, placing his total at 473, and now stands in second place behind the great Abdul-Jabbar.
With just three more blocks to go, if Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs continue their assualt on the Oklahoma City Thunder, it looks like he will be the new all-time leader in playoff blocks.
So far this postseason, Duncan has accumulated 20 blocks, the most he has had since the 2008 playoffs. The fact that the Spurs have been able to defeat their opponents in sweeps means the team has rested. This has allowed Duncan to stay healthy and energized.
Duncan, who has played in 186 playoff games, has averaged 2.5 blocks in his playoff career. In the 2003 postseason, he had his highest total of blocks in a postseason. He played 24 games and totaled 79 blocks. The Spurs went on to win the championship that year.
When players are asked about individual records, they normally seem disinterested. Although being able to surpass Abdul-Jabbar in any stat is a great feat, chances are Duncan will prefer to have another ring than worry about being the all-time leader in playoff blocks.
