Utah Jazz’s Legendary Rim Protector: Mark Eaton’s Dominance in Blocks
The Utah Jazz have a storied history of rim protectors, but no one has left a mark quite like Mark Eaton. Towering at 7-foot-4, Eaton became an indomitable force in the paint during his 11-year career in Utah. Blocks did not become an official NBA statistic until the 1973-74 season, but Eaton quickly cemented himself as one of the greatest shot-blockers in league history, dominating the Jazz’s single-season block leaderboard with his unparalleled defensive presence.
Mark Eaton – 1985, 5.6 BPG
Eaton’s 1984-85 season remains the pinnacle of his career. Starting all 82 games, the Westminster, California native averaged 9.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a league-leading 5.6 blocks per game. He also led the NBA in defensive rebounds at 8.8 per contest. Eaton earned his first Defensive Player of the Year award and All-Defensive First Team honors, recording 456 total blocks—the most in Jazz history by a wide margin.
Mark Eaton – 1986, 4.6 BPG
In 1985-86, Eaton continued his dominance with 4.6 blocks per game, 8.5 points, and 8.4 rebounds across 80 games. He registered 18 double-doubles, 40 contests with five or more blocks, and secured a second consecutive All-Defensive First Team selection. His 4.8 defensive win shares ranked first among centers and second only to Larry Bird in the league.
Mark Eaton – 1984, 4.3 BPG
During his sophomore campaign in 1983-84, Eaton averaged 4.3 blocks in just 26.1 minutes per game. He posted 32 games with at least five rejections, including a remarkable outing with 12 blocks. That season marked the start of his five-year reign as the league’s blocks leader, as well as a close second-place finish in the Defensive Player of the Year race.
Mark Eaton – 1987, 4.1 BPG
The 1986-87 season saw Eaton average 4.1 blocks per game while contributing 7.7 points and 8.8 rebounds. He earned his third straight All-Defensive team selection and finished third in DPOY voting. His consistency made him one of the most feared defensive players in the league.
Mark Eaton – 1989, 3.8 BPG
In 1988-89, Eaton captured his second Defensive Player of the Year award, made the All-Star team, and tallied 3.8 blocks per game alongside 6.2 points and 10.3 rebounds. He set a career-high with 14 blocks in a single game against the San Antonio Spurs. By the time he retired after the 1992-93 season, Eaton had left an indelible mark: four-time blocks champion, five-time All-Defensive selectee, two-time DPOY, and the NBA’s all-time leader in blocks per game.
Mark Eaton wasn’t just a centerpiece for the Jazz—he was a defensive revolution, redefining what it meant to control the paint. His legacy remains a benchmark for shot-blocking excellence in Utah and across the NBA.
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