Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard is one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Photo Credit: Bridget Samuels, Flickr.com
NBA teams strive to have great rebounders under the basket. Offensive rebounds can lead to second-chance points and defensive rebounds can slow down an opponent and turn into easy baskets on the other end.
There are some great rebounders in the NBA right now and most of them have helped their teams achieve so sort of success this season.
10 best rebounders in the NBA
10. Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
Kenneth Faried can some times struggle on the defensive end of the floor, but his effort to rebound can never be questioned. The Nuggets were terrible on the glass when Faried was injured towards the end of season. He averaged 9.2 a game this past season.
Faried’s best rebounding happens on offensive end, where he averages more than three a game. Most of his points come off second-chances and getting easy buckets in the paint. He can be a handful under the basket.
9. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
As much of a head case DeMarcus Cousins can be, the guy is a pretty good player. He has a wide body that is perfect for rebounding. He averaged just less than 10 this season.
The Kings are also known for throwing up a lot of jump shots which gives Cousins plenty of chances at rebounds. If he ever gets his head completely straight, he could be a dominant force in the NBA.
8. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford needs to stay on the court to continue to be a good rebounder. He sometimes struggles with injuries. Horford did have a career high with 10.2 a game this past season.
He also had a career-high in points which can be attributed to the fact that he rebounds so well and gets plenty of second chance points.
7. Reggie Evans, Brooklyn Nets
Reggie Evans can be classified as a pest. He gets under opponents’ skin to say the least. But he sure does rebound.
The Nets forward averaged 11.1 rebounds a game this past season. He works hard and is all energy which is why the Nets started him this season. He may throw an elbow at times, but he is someone you would love if he is on your team.
6. J.J. Hickson, Portland Trail Blazers
The former Cleveland Cavalier has improved his rebounding each season. Hickson averaged double figures on the glass for the first time in his career this past season.
Hickson combined with LaMarcus Aldridge forms a good duo in Portland. Hickson will only continue to improve.
5. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
Nikola Vucevic is another player that can only get better. Critics wondered when the Philadelphia 76ers drafted Vucevic out of USC, but after going to Orlando in last summer’s blockbuster trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers, Andrew Bynum to the Sixers and Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets, he has turned into a good player. He was second in the league in rebounding in his first season in Orlando.
The Magic were bad this season again, but with another high draft the team may be turning the corner with Vucevic hitting the glass.
4. Omer Asik, Houston Rockets
Another player that critics howled about when he signed with his current team. The Houston Rockets gave Omer Asik a pretty big contract last offseason and he has panned out for the team.
The third-leading rebounder in the league is a beast on the offensive glass as he averages 3.4 a game.
3. David Lee, Golden State Warriors
David Lee led the NBA in double-doubles. He is not the biggest guy on the court but he may be the hardest working. He is 6’9″, but plays like a 7-footer. He is rugged in the paint.
Lee has averaged 9.8 rebounds a game for his career and averaged over ten this past season. The Warriors will miss him against the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs.
2. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
Zach Randolph is a force. There is no other way to describe. He pushes people around and is intimidates people. He led the league in offensive rebounds a game with just more than four.
Since the Grizzlies traded Rudy Gay, Randolph is the leader in Memphis. His rebounds lead to easy baskets and he is the main reason the Grizzlies are a threat in the playoffs.
1. Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers
This season was not Dwight Howard’s best but he is still the top rebounder in the league. He led the league again with 12.4 rebounds a game. He can be the best defensive player in the league when he is motivated.
That is the big question with Howard. Where is his head? Is he motivated to be a Laker or does he want to leave? If his head is straight and he wants to play there is nobody better.