This is the fourth post in a series of five that identifies the one player that I think is the “yardstick” by which all other players are measured in a particular facet of the game. In my last post I defined what made Bill Russell the best defensive player of all-time. Before that I used statistics, and a criterion to single out who I thought was the best scorer (Durant) and the best shooter (Curry) in the history of the game. In this post I reveal my top 10 best rebounders of all-time.  

First, some thoughts on WHY I picked these 10 players. Unlike picking the “yardstick” in the categories of shooting and scoring, which I define as two different skill sets, I believe it is easier to identify the best rebounders. It is important to understand the era that a player played in. ALL of the best rebounders of all time DID NOT play in the 60’s. Based on statistics, only, that would seem to be the case. The game was faster paced, and the shooting percentages were much lower. The average team in the 60’s would have 20 or more rebounds per game than a team today. Secondly, I think rebounding titles and seasonal rankings are important but again the era must be taken into account. It is important to keep in mind that early in the history of the NBA there were only 8 or 9 teams.  It was much easier to win a rebounding title with 8 teams or even 12 teams than with the current 30 teams. Another major consideration for me, as I look at rebound TOTALS, is longevity. (It is one of my 10 criteria I used in my book to pick my top 75 best players of all time.) However, injuries play a significant role in a players career numbers. Total career rebounds, while important, must be weighed against the games missed due to injuries. In the cases of both Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, their ability to finish in the top of the season rankings was hampered by their inability to stay healthy enough to qualify. Both missed parts of seven and  six years respectively with injuries, thus lower total career rebounds and fewer finishes in the top of rebound titles. Both, in my opinion, are two of the greatest rebounders in the history of the game. Finally, in my analysis and research, considering the era, and the “eye test” based on my 70-year involvement in the game as a player, coach, and fan here are my top 10 greatest rebounders of all time.  

#1)  Wilt Chamberlain, 23,924 TRB, 22.89 Career Av, 11 Reb Titles (2 seconds) 

#2)  Bill Russell, 21,620 TRB, 22.45 Career Av, 5 Reb Titles (5 seconds) 

#3)  Moses Malone, 17,834 TRB, 12.25 Career Av, 6 Reb Titles (2 seconds) 

#4)  Dennis Rodman, 11,954 TRB, 13.12 Career Av, 7 Reb Titles (1 second) 

#5)  Dwight Howard, 14,627 TRB, 11.78 Career Av, 5 Reb Titles (2 seconds) 

#6)  Artis Gilmore, 16,330 TRB, 12.29 Career Av, 5 Reb Titles (1 second)  *4 titles in ABA 

#7)  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 17,440 TRB, 11.18 Career Av, 2 Reb Titles (1 second) 

#8)  Shaq O’Neal, 13,099 TRB, 13.09 Career Av, No Titles (3 seconds)  *7 injury years 

#9)  Kevin Garnett, 14,662 TRB, 10.00 Career Av, 4 Reb Titles (1 second) 

#10)Charles Barkley, 12,546 TRB, 11.69 Career Av, 1 Reb Title (4 seconds)  * 6 injury years 

Player’s like Nate Thurmond, Jerry Lucas, Bob Pettit, Wes Unseld, Walt Bellamy, Elvin Hayes, and even more modern-day players like Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Karl Malone were great rebounders. I believe their total career rebounds and average per game rebounds are a reflection of the era in which they played.  A good case could be made for Wilt or Russ to be the YARDSTICK for rebounding.  Next: Playmaker