If the Boston Celtics put up a fight to the Golden State Warriors is because of their tough defense. Here’s where Robert Williams III comes in. He a 6 feet tall centerwith amazingdefensive skills thatprovedhisdominance in the paint in the 2022 NBA Finals.
But that just only his first chapter in the biggestNBA stage. Manyplayers like Shaq, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard made astonishing defensive performances in the finals in more than one season. Especifically, since the 2000 NBA Finals, there have beenseveral players who dominanted the paint in the finals.
For example, Giannis Antetokounmpoin his first NBA Finals series made 11 blocks in 6 games. Another one is Anthony Davis who registered12 blocks in his first 6 NBA Finals games back in 2020. As for the Warriors’ champion Andrew Wiggins he pulled up 9 blocks in the past 6 games of the 2022 NBA Finals.
Robert Williams III tops Shaq in blocks per game in the finalssince 2000
But the Williams III case is something unseen in this century. He pulled up 17 blocks in 6 games, to average 2.8 blocks per game in the 2022 NBA Finals. Not even Draymond Green had this stat in any of his playoffs run.Whereas, before this finals the list was headed by Tim Duncanwith 70 blocks in 29 games to average 2.4 blocks per game in hisNBA Career.
As for the rest of this list, Ben Wallace is thethird with 2.2 blocks per game, whileDwight Howard and Anthony Davis tie with 2 blocks per game both.That leaves Shaqwith 2 blocks per game, also. But he’sgot a total of 52 blocks in 26 games, something crazy even for him.