What is more important to shot blocking?

[cobbler]

That's Amare.

Yep! LBJ gets his share too.

[cobbler]

you left of the most important attribute...


1.Athleticism
2. Timing and Positioning



3. Desire

[Dice]

It's a flawed poll. A guy with great timing blocks a shot-a guy with huge athleticism can be late and still get up high enough to block the shot. Which is better?

The guy with both is the one that is different than most. Andre Kerilenko immediately comes to mind. Some are saying the Birdman is going on pure athletisicm but watch a highlight reel of his blocks and you'll see him tracking the opponent and then flying up knowing he's going to wipe that shot out.

Ben Wallace had awesome hops, but he also did a fantastic job of keeping himself in position around the basket to be there to swat the shot.

Rasheed Wallace played great one on one defense against guy like Duncan and Howard. So did McDyess for that matter. Sheed blocked those guys shots by having great timing and not so much athleticism so if I had to pick which was the most important, that's the way I would lean.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

You can be completely out of position on your own man and still get a block. Off ball and backside blocks often happen as a result of poor footwork initially.

This is the point I'm trying to make, thanks Cobbler :

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If used, its the same as saying Vince Carter or LeBron James are better help defenders than Timmy or Camby because they can run much faster and jump much higher.

being a good help defender and being a good shot blocker are two separate things.

[DAF86]

You can be completely out of position on your own man and still get a block.

And you can have 0 athleticism and still get a block with good positioning and timing.

[Rogue]

The money used for bribing the refs is the most important thing for shot blocking, the more money you invest in the refs, the more likely you can block someone without being whistled a foul.

[Mr Bones]

My whole point was a good "shot blocker" and a good "defender" are two completely different things.

I'd say this is why Denver got better with Nene starting at center last year instead of Camby.