New Orleans Pelicans: The top 5 shot blockers in franchise history

The Charlotte Hornets franchise relocated to New Orleans and eventually rebranded as the Pelicans. Meanwhile, Charlotte was granted a new expansion team called the Bobcats. After some time, the Bobcats also rebranded as the Hornets, and the NBA awarded the original Hornets' franchise history back to the Charlotte team. As a result, the Pelicans are now considered a 2002 expansion team historically. Therefore, the career block leaders for the Pelicans primarily come from the last couple of decades.

1. Anthony Davis – 1,121 blocks

Anthony Davis is the Pelicans’ leader in career blocks — spending seven years with the team. Davis had his best defensive seasons with the Pelicans, averaging a career-high 2.9 blocks in his third season. Davis averaged at least two blocks a game in six seasons with the team. 

2. David West – 435 blocks

While David West wasn’t known to be a shot blocker, he landed second on the Pelicans block leaders. The most he averaged was 1.3 blocks in the 2007-08 season, which coincided with one of his two all-star seasons.  

3. Emeka Okafor – 305 blocks

Okafor was the first pick in Charlotte Bobcats history, where he won Rookie of the Year. His best defensive season was his third year, where he averaged 2.6 blocks per game. He moved to New Orleans with the team where he played for three seasons. 

4. Tyson Chandler – 269 blocks

Although Chandler spent only three seasons with the Pelicans, Tyson Chandler cracked the top-5 of the shot block leaders. He averaged 1.8 blocks in the 2006-07 season.

5. Jrue Holiday – 267 blocks

Despite being a 6’4” guard, Jrue Holiday cracked the top-5 of this list. Holiday is known to be one of the league’s best defenders — making six All-Defense teams. Holiday had three straight seasons where he averaged 0.8 blocks with the Pelicans.