Maybe Tim Duncan will have to start wearing a stop sign on the front of his uniform reminding players that he is still a force to contend with.
After recording five blocks in last night's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Duncan surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career blocks in the playoffs.
The record-breaking block came with 2:26 in the second quarter, when Serge Ibaka went in for a layup. Duncan contended the shot and got his hands on it for the muff.
Duncan currently stands as the leader with 478 blocks in the playoffs.
The players closest to this record have all retired, as Duncan beat out NBA legends. Former teammate David Robinson totaled 312 career blocks in the playoffs. Right behind Robinson is former Boston Celtic, Robert Parish with 309. Patrick Ewing follows on the list with 303 career blocks.
The closest active player on the list is Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace, who, by the looks of the team's performance and his age, will not be getting to the postseason again. Wallace has 250 blocks, 200-plus blocks behind Duncan.
Pau Gasol has 193 blocks and Kevin Garnett has 166. They are the next active players. Even though they play in teams that frequently contend, they may be on the move next year and their production has declined.
One of the players who can challenge Duncan's record is Orlando Magic center, Dwight Howard. Howard is 30th on the all-time playoff blocks list with 158. He is only 26 years old, turning 27 at the end of the year.
By the time he was 26 Duncan had five playoff appearances under his belt and totaled 218 blocks. Howard has a bit of catching up to do, but his team has made it to the playoffs in five straight years.
On a better pace and playing for a better team than Dwight Howard is Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka. Only in his third season, but already in his third playoffs, Ibaka has 106 blocks.
Ibaka is only 23. Duncan was 24 and had 103. Do the math. OKC is a young team and have plenty of playoff basketball ahead of them.
The key to Duncan having the opportunity to set this record starts with playing for a team that can qualify for the playoffs. Then once in the postseason, the team is able to go the distance and win it all.
Duncan has a chance to keep increasing that lead versus the Thunder and can possibly extend his lead in the following seasons if he continues playing at this level.
