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Whether they are offensive or defensive, a rebound hugely impacts the state of the game. Coaches want good rebounding numbers from their center and forwards. A good rebounding team can capitalize on the opponents each missed shot. NBA followers would know or have an idea about who is going to make it to the top 5 in rebounds every year based on previous year stats and so on.
Also read: Top 10 Rebounding Leaders in NBA History
Well this year’s list has few traditional entries and a few surprises.
5. Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies)
Zach Randolph
The Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combination has been the key offensively and off the glass for the Grizzlies in their longest post season yet, this year. Though Randolph ranks just 5th on the rebounding list, he tops the chart for the league in offensive rebounding averaging 4.1 and offensive rebounding has always been Z-Bo’s strength.
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For the season he averaged a double double of 15.4 PPG and 11.2 RPG. His play in the post season did not suffer, instead he rose to the occasion, maintained his consistency and averaged a double throughout the Playoffs with averages of 17.4 PPG and 10 RPG.
4. David Lee (Golden State Warriors)
David Lee #10 of the Golden State Warriors
He has played a crucial role this past season in the Warriors run to the second round of the Playoffs. With an absence of a qualified center due to injuries, Lee had to come through for his team and this he did by averaging his best number for the regular season since he joined the Warriors.
In terms of rebounding average, he is tied with Randolph at 4th, however, his play all through the regular season contributed to the team more than Randolph had. He averaged a double double of 18.5 PPG to go along with 11.2 RPG. The load, offensively, on him might reduce further with the addition of Iguodala to the Warriors roster this postseason; however his rebounding has been a constant positive all through his career. Leaving his rookie year, Lee never averaged less than 8.9 RPG for a season – not bad for a forward standing at 6’9.
3. Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic)
Nikola Vucevic
Surprise! Yes, a sophomore makes the list. Magic acquired this 7-feet center from Philadelphia in Howard’s four team trade in the post season 2012. The Swiss/Montenegrin national grabbed this opportunity on a big stage with increased minutes with both hands (literally!).
His playing minutes doubled and he repaid this faith shown by the team by averaging more than double his points and rebounds for the previous season. He set a personal high and the Magic franchise record of 29 rebounds in an overtime loss on New Year’s Eve to the Miami Heat. He averaged a double double for the regular season with 13.1 PPG and 11.9 RPG.
2. Omer Asik (Houston Rockets)
Omer Asik
He’s the second surprise on the list. Houston alone saw the true potential of this man in the paint in the 15 MPG that he would average all season for Chicago. With the likes of Boozer and Noah in the starting lineup, Asik’s role was to play with the bench. So it was no surprise that when Chicago did not put anything on the table to contend with Rockets offer of 25.1 million for three years, being a free agent he decided to trade.
His season with the rockets got him the name “double double machine”. His offensive game improved by leaps to 13.1 PPG alongside numbers of 11 RPG (previous season numbers:- 3.1 RPG, 5.3 RPG). Why he ranks ahead of the Magic center? Asik averages .5 RPG lesser than Vucevic did although he averaged 4 minutes lesser playing time than what the Magic center did.
1. Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets)
Dwight Howard
No surprises here. This big man has led the league in rebounding 5 out of the last 6 seasons. His mobility and athleticism at his height is astonishing and allows him to beat other players to the rebound. He beat Wilt Chamberlain’s record of leading the league in rebounding for 4 consecutive seasons by going one step further to 5 years.
The duo of Howard and Asik would be something to watch at Houston under Kevin McHale, a retired big man himself. Rockets fan have pinned their hopes on Howard to take them longer into the Playoffs with his game, a part of which rebounding is a huge and crucial.
