The Best Blocks of the NBA Playoffs So Far

There ain't no party like an NBA playoff shot-blocking party.

Fortunately for us, the Association's 2016 postseason bracket isn't short on shot-swatting. There are so many, in fact, that we have no choice but to rank the best of the best.

Someone (me) spent way too much time watching every single block of the playoffs thus far. That someone (still me) then plucked out the 10 most worthy shot-stoppers.

These rankings aren't the least bit scientific. They place a heavy emphasis on blocks that are difficult, super cool and, in some cases, totally unexpected.

10. Russell "No Sympathy for Old People" Westbrook

Russell Westbrook seems like a good dude off the basketball court—someone who would guide an elderly man or woman safely across the street if they forgot their HD Vision Wraparounds at afternoon bingo and couldn't see into oncoming traffic.

On the basketball court, though, Westbrook is the competitive maniac who would sooner lay out that same senior citizen than forfeit an easy basket. Just ask Dirk Nowitzki.

After completing all five of his dunk attempts during the regular season, the creaky 37-year-old tried his hand at a postseason crunch midway through the Dallas Mavericks' Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. But Westbrook would have none of it; he sent back the jam like undercooked alligator nuggets.

And Nowitzki was, apparently, grateful, per For the Win's Laken Litman:

"

You know, I actually felt like my knee buckled, so I was actually kind of glad he got there because I would have probably gotten hung on the rim to be honest with you. So I’m glad he blocked it. Heck of a play on his part. I mean, he came out of nowhere. I probably should have just laid it up on the glass. I don’t think he would have gotten it then.

"

There you have it. Westbrook's sympathy-less blocks are a form of hardwood philanthropy after all.

9. Hassan "You Cannot Escape My Reach" Whiteside

Midway through the second quarter of the Charlotte Hornets' Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat, Kemba Walker shook rookie Josh Richardson while playing through a torn meniscus in his left knee.

His reward for such crafty perseverance? The wrath of Hassan Whiteside, who leads the NBA in playoff swats despite still being sidelined with a sprained MCL. 

The Miami skyscraper came out of nowhere to obliterate Walker's innocent layup attempt like a true superhero-movie villain. And in all fairness, the ball hung in the air forever. What else was Whiteside supposed to do? Let it find nylon? 

The Heat's rising center received a liberal number of imaginary brownie points in recognition of his post-block smile. It was heart-thawing and just the right amount of diabolical.

8. Paul "Licensed Party Pooper" Millsap

Remember Game 1 of the Atlanta Hawks' second-round series with the Cleveland Cavaliers? Times were simpler then.

The Hawks had hope. They erased an 18-point deficit and briefly flirted with jumping out to a 1-0 lead. They weren't even thinking about the Cavaliers sweeping them. Or about potentially dismantling their core over the offseason because it just isn't good enough.

Alas, the Cavaliers rattled off four consecutive victories, leaving the Hawks to mull over their suddenly fuzzy future. But don't fret on their behalf. 

Watch this clip of Paul Millsap expertly blocking Kevin Love in transition from Game 1 instead. It is fun and free, and will temporarily make you forget all about Atlanta's potentially necessary offseason demolition. 

7. Josh "Here's a Layup...Just Kidding!" Richardson

Welcome to the totally real* oral history of Josh Richardson's block on Kemba Walker in Miami's Game 6 win over Charlotte.

During a previous timeout, just before action is set to resume, Richardson saunters up to Walker, whispering into his ear.

"Hey, Kemba," he says. "Want a free layup?"

"Um, does Marv[in Williams] take warm baths with 10 cups of lavender Epsom salt every night?!" he exclaims. "Absolutely!"

Soon after, Walker slices through the Miami defense thanks to a Cody Zeller screen. He is nearing the hoop, untouched, already thinking about how to thank Richardson without the rest of the Heat growing suspicious, when...

"Psych!" Richardson bellows, as he swats Walker's scoop shot off the glass.

*This is most definitely not the totally real oral history of Richardson's block on Walker.

6. Amir "I Like to Do 2013 Roy Hibbert Impressions" Johnson

Back in May 2013, long before he was wasting away on the Los Angeles Lakers, Roy Hibbert stuffed Carmelo Anthony at the rim during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. To this day, it remains an iconic postseason block, one that ripped the heart and soul out of the 2012-13 New York Knicks.

Amir Johnson paid homage to that during the Boston Celtics' first-round matchup with the Hawks. He stalemated Paul Millsap at the peak of his dunk attempt, completing the highly sought, though rarely seen, reverse poster.

Boston lost this game and, later, the series. But the boys in green will always have this block. Johnson, specifically, will be able to tell his children's children about the time he made an NBA All-Star wish he settled for a jump shot.

Some things are more satisfying than playoff series victories.

(This isn't one of them, but, whatever.)

5. Tim "I'm Not Dead Yet, Haters" Duncan

Tim Duncan's devolution into a normal human being with a finite NBA shelf life continues to be fast and furious.

One minute, you're heatedly arguing that he should earn Defensive Player of the Year honors—not just as a career achievement award but because he actually deserves it. The next, you're wondering aloud whether the 40-year-old will be back with the San Antonio Spurs next season because, as SB Nation's Tom Ziller wrote, he looks so darn old:

"

Duncan's scoring numbers fell off a cliff this season. He struggles to get open looks consistently and defers heavily to Leonard, Tony Parker and others. He's averaging fewer than five points per game this postseason. On offense, LaMarcus Aldridge has made Duncan nearly irrelevant. Duncan's own age has made him less effective on the boards (one defensive rebound in 10 chances on Tuesday, per NBA.com) and, to a certain extent, defense. The mind is there, but the body is not. He's no longer quick off of his feet and his lateral movement is slowing.

"

Whatever your feelings on the matter, put them aside. Let tomorrow's version of you cope with Duncan's regression and imminent retirement. Current you needs to watch this clip of him swatting someone more than 12 years his junior (Russell Westbrook), late in the fourth quarter of San Antonio's Game 5 letdown against Oklahoma City.

Enjoy this highlight. Really appreciate it. Contrary to previous beliefs, Duncan won't reinvent the concept of time forever.

4. Draymond "Size Doesn't Matter" Green

Did you ever hear the one about Damian Lillard posterizing Draymond Green with a vicious one-handed slam?

Green hasn't, either.

What about the one where Mason Plumlee avenges Lillard's misfortune with a jam at the expense of Green on the very next possession?

Still no?

OK, how about the one where Green joins Julius Erving as just the second qualified player under 6'8" to ever average more than two blocks per game during the postseason?

That last one is true for the same reason the first two anecdotes aren't: Draymond Green is dabomb.com.

3. Josh "Unfortunately for Cory Joseph, I Sometimes Do Play Defense" McRoberts

Josh McRoberts isn't known for his shot-blocking prowess or ability to keep pace with driving point guards. He isn't known for his defense at all.

Try telling that to Cory Joseph.

McRoberts swallowed his shot at the end of the third quarter in Miami's Game 4 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He didn't smash it into the stands or down the court. He devoured it at the rim, almost like he was showing off for the sidelined Hassan Whiteside.

And since that wasn't enough, he saved the ball from going out of bounds by hurling it off Joseph's stomach as the buzzer sounded.

We give him all the bonus points for style, unexpected function and needless ball-to-gut flair.

2. Salah "Erases Your Hopes and Dreams" Mejri

Early in the second quarter of Dallas' Game 4 loss to Oklahoma City, defensive specialist Andre Roberson thought he had an easy breakaway dunk.

Salah Mejri had other plans. 

The 7'1" specimen sprinted down the floor, as if he believed the Mavericks actually had something to play for, reaching Roberson just in time to poke his two-handed throwdown off the backboard and into the hands of teammate Wesley Matthews.

As is Tunisian basketball tradition (but not really), Mejri then took a moment to celebrate this defensive feat by nodding his head violently to the delight of Mavericks fans, not unlike he was moshing at a death metal concert.

Big men who chase down blocks in transition, even if the situation appears hopeless, are awesome. Ergo, Mejri is awesome by extension.

Dallas' postseason ambitions have long since flamed out, but his highlight hustle lives on forever.

1. Kyrie "DPOY" Irving

Trailing the Cavaliers by 11 inside one minute to play of Game 1, the Hawks had only one hope: channel their inner Stephen Curry, catch fire and complete a miraculous comeback, beginning with Dennis Schroder's strong-side layup attempt.

Hey, no one ever said it was a feasible hope.

Kyrie Irving massacred Schroder at the rim, to the surprise of everyone in existence. And he beat out LeBron James, an actual sometimes-shot-blocker, to do it.

This is the best, not to mention most unanticipated, swat of the playoffs thus far. And it's not even close. And it comes to us courtesy of Kyrie Irving.

These are crazy, lawless times we're living in, folks.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless otherwise cited.

Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @danfavale.