Hook shots, drop steps and patient fadeaways off the block, from leather-ball pioneers to modern MVPs who still prefer working with their back to the rim.
1Kareem Abdul-JabbarSix-time MVP whose unblockable skyhook from the low post made him the NBA's career scoring leader for decades.1000pts
2Robert ParishThe Chief, a Celtics stalwart whose high-arcing turnaround won three titles in Boston.852pts
3Walt BellamyHall of Famer who averaged over 31 points as a rookie in 1961-62 by scoring around the basket.790pts
4Hakeem OlajuwonRockets legend whose Dream Shake footwork is still the gold standard for post moves.738pts
5George MikanThe original dominant big man, whose hook shots won the Minneapolis Lakers five titles and forced rule changes.738pts
6Al JeffersonOne of the last pure low-post scorers, a master of up-fakes and drop steps in the 2010s.672pts
7Bob McAdooThree-time scoring champion and 1975 MVP who scored inside and out for the Buffalo Braves.511pts
8Alonzo MourningFierce Heat and Hornets center who scored on the block and won two Defensive Player of the Year awards.511pts
9Willis ReedKnicks captain and two-time Finals MVP known for his strength and mid-post scoring.511pts
10Dwight HowardMagic powerhouse who dominated the paint and won three Defensive Player of the Year awards.511pts
11Yao MingRockets center with a soft touch and polished footwork who became an eight-time All-Star.443pts
12Marc GasolGrizzlies anchor and 2013 Defensive Player of the Year who ran the offense from the block.443pts
13Moses MaloneThree-time MVP and relentless offensive rebounder who led the 1983 76ers to the title.443pts
14Nikola JokicThree-time MVP who dissects defenses from the post as a scorer and a passer.365pts
15Joel Embiid76ers star and 2023 MVP who mixes classic post footwork with face-up skill.365pts
16Tim DuncanFive-time champion whose bank shot and patient low-post game anchored the Spurs dynasty.365pts
17Wilt ChamberlainScored 100 points in a game and averaged 50 in a season by dominating the paint like no one before him.365pts
18Bill WaltonBrilliant passing and scoring center who led the 1977 Trail Blazers to the championship.275pts
19Shaquille O'NealOverpowering low-post force who won four titles and three straight Finals MVPs with the Lakers.275pts
20Brad DaughertyFive-time All-Star for the Cavaliers whose efficient post scoring was cut short by back injuries.275pts
21Rik SmitsThe Dunking Dutchman, a Pacers center with a smooth turnaround jumper over smaller defenders.275pts
22Artis GilmoreTowering ABA and NBA star who holds the league record for career field-goal percentage.275pts
23Dave CowensUndersized but tireless Celtics center and 1973 MVP who won two championships.170pts
24Patrick EwingKnicks great who scored with a fadeaway jumper and power moves on the block for 15 seasons in New York.0pts
Photo credits
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — Yahoo from Sunnyvale, California, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Al Jefferson — joshuak8, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Alonzo Mourning — Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Dwight Howard — Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
- Yao Ming — World Travel & Tourism Council, CC BY 2.0
- Marc Gasol — Patrickpedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Nikola Jokic — All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Joel Embiid — All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Tim Duncan — Geoff Livingston, CC BY 2.0
- Shaquille O'Neal — TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0
- Brad Daugherty — Darryl Moran, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Artis Gilmore — Mark Bruner, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Patrick Ewing — AlexanderJonesi, CC BY-SA 2.0
