The Best Two Rebounders To Ever Play Together

 Rodman and Robinson for the Spurs.

Robinson’s career high rebounds avg. 13.0 in 1990-1991

Rodman’s career high rebounds avg. 18.7 in 1991-1992

When they played together for two seasons these were their averages

Rodman 1994- 17.3

              1995- 16.8

Robinson 1994 – 10.3

               1995 – 11.9

Best aggregate between the two (not playing together) – 31.7 per game

Best aggregate between the two (playing together)      –  28.7 per game

**Rodman is the hardest working player I have ever watched in my life (followed by Tyler Hansborough in his college days)

being 6 foot 6 and grabbing close to 19 boards a game against the best athletes in the world while being undersized is just absurd.

 Rodman and Robinson for the Spurs.

Robinson’s career high rebounds avg. 13.0 in 1990-1991

Rodman’s career high rebounds avg. 18.7 in 1991-1992

When they played together for two seasons these were their averages

Rodman 1994- 17.3

              1995- 16.8

Robinson 1994 – 10.3

               1995 – 11.9

Best aggregate between the two (not playing together) – 31.7 per game

Best aggregate between the two (playing together)      –  28.7 per game

**Rodman is the hardest working player I have ever watched in my life (followed by Tyler Hansborough in his college days)

being 6 foot 6 and grabbing close to 19 boards a game against the best athletes in the world while being undersized is just absurd.

Seem like two who definitely could be in the convo. Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes might be even better as an overall duo, 10th and 4th in All-Time rebounds. Modern day, I think Rodman and Robinson take the cake. They both were in their prime while playing together at the same time. You can’t go purely by average, otherwise Baylor and Chamberlain destroy all. But, I believe that Rodman and Robinson were two amazing rebounders, using that ability to the fullest in their two seasons together. These two just came to mind.

Seem like two who definitely could be in the convo. Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes might be even better as an overall duo, 10th and 4th in All-Time rebounds. Modern day, I think Rodman and Robinson take the cake. They both were in their prime while playing together at the same time. You can’t go purely by average, otherwise Baylor and Chamberlain destroy all. But, I believe that Rodman and Robinson were two amazing rebounders, using that ability to the fullest in their two seasons together. These two just came to mind.

KG and Shaq is a possible one. There are better options but they deserve a nomination none the less. 

KG

Highest rpg: 03-04, 13.9

# of seasons with 10+ rpg: 9

Career rebound average: 10.7

Shaq

Highest rpg: 92-93, 13.9

# of seasons with 10+ rpg: 13

Career rebound average: 10.9

KG and Shaq is a possible one. There are better options but they deserve a nomination none the less. 

KG

Highest rpg: 03-04, 13.9

# of seasons with 10+ rpg: 9

Career rebound average: 10.7

Shaq

Highest rpg: 92-93, 13.9

# of seasons with 10+ rpg: 13

Career rebound average: 10.9

A couple more; Jerry Lucas and Nate Thurmond played together in San Francisco for a year.

Thurmond

• Widely considered the third greatest center of his era after Chamberlain and Russell.
• Averaged 18+ RPG for five consecutive seasons
• Career average of 15 RPG
• Career high of 22 RPG

Lucas

• Considered the premier rebounding Power Forward of his era
• Averaged 18+ RPG for five consecutive seasons
• Career average of 15.6 RPG
• Career high of 21.1 RPG

Total max season average: 43.1 RPG

A couple more; Jerry Lucas and Nate Thurmond played together in San Francisco for a year.

Thurmond

• Widely considered the third greatest center of his era after Chamberlain and Russell.
• Averaged 18+ RPG for five consecutive seasons
• Career average of 15 RPG
• Career high of 22 RPG

Lucas

• Considered the premier rebounding Power Forward of his era
• Averaged 18+ RPG for five consecutive seasons
• Career average of 15.6 RPG
• Career high of 21.1 RPG

Total max season average: 43.1 RPG

 I just had to bring this up because Bob Pettit is the best rebounder no one ever brings up, Clyde Lovette is a very good rebounder, but not great, but the 2 combined for over 30 a game in 1960-196.  I realize that this era doesn’t translate and I think Rodman and Robinson could out rebound these two, but Bob Pettit doesn’t ever get any love on this forum so I had to drop a mention

Bob Pettit and Clyde Lovette

Bob Pettit – averaged 20.2 rpg in 1960-1961

3rd all time in rebounds per game 16.2 on his career…(career LOW of 12.4)

12,849 career rebounds

Clyde Lovette – averaged 10.1 rpg in 1960-61

career average of 9.5 rpg

career high of 14.0 rpg

 I just had to bring this up because Bob Pettit is the best rebounder no one ever brings up, Clyde Lovette is a very good rebounder, but not great, but the 2 combined for over 30 a game in 1960-196.  I realize that this era doesn’t translate and I think Rodman and Robinson could out rebound these two, but Bob Pettit doesn’t ever get any love on this forum so I had to drop a mention

Bob Pettit and Clyde Lovette

Bob Pettit – averaged 20.2 rpg in 1960-1961

3rd all time in rebounds per game 16.2 on his career…(career LOW of 12.4)

12,849 career rebounds

Clyde Lovette – averaged 10.1 rpg in 1960-61

career average of 9.5 rpg

career high of 14.0 rpg

 Good find on the Pettit, Beatty, Bridges double digit rebounders.  I was trying to find a trio that all averaged double digit rebounds for a single season. I was certain Bird, Parish and McHale did it at least once, but the closest they got was 87-88 with Bird at 9.2, McHale at 9.9 and Parish with 10.5 and 84-85 with Bird at 10.5 McHale at 9.0 and Parish at 10.6

Although they didn’t all hit double digits on a season, looking at rebounds alone it’s not hard to believe they won so many games.

 Good find on the Pettit, Beatty, Bridges double digit rebounders.  I was trying to find a trio that all averaged double digit rebounds for a single season. I was certain Bird, Parish and McHale did it at least once, but the closest they got was 87-88 with Bird at 9.2, McHale at 9.9 and Parish with 10.5 and 84-85 with Bird at 10.5 McHale at 9.0 and Parish at 10.6

Although they didn’t all hit double digits on a season, looking at rebounds alone it’s not hard to believe they won so many games.

I like to give Pettit lots of props. And it really is unfair that he gets so little love because people (including people on this board) still place Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain among the top 5 if not top 3 all time centers despite dominating the same era as Pettit. Pettit put up 31.1 PPG and 18.7 RPG in 1962 which was also Chamberlain’s best statistical season. Also he scored 22.5 PPG and grabbed 12.4 rebounds per game in his last season before he retired at the age of 32 in 1965. Yes it was a different era but it doesn’t make much sense to constantly credit Chamberlain and Russell for their acheivements during this era but not Petit. I usually put him at #3 on my list of the top PF of all time just behind Duncan and Malone but ahead of Barkley, Garnett, McHale and Hayes.

It’s too bad that there aren’t more highlights of him. Some of these are repeated:

I like to give Pettit lots of props. And it really is unfair that he gets so little love because people (including people on this board) still place Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain among the top 5 if not top 3 all time centers despite dominating the same era as Pettit. Pettit put up 31.1 PPG and 18.7 RPG in 1962 which was also Chamberlain’s best statistical season. Also he scored 22.5 PPG and grabbed 12.4 rebounds per game in his last season before he retired at the age of 32 in 1965. Yes it was a different era but it doesn’t make much sense to constantly credit Chamberlain and Russell for their acheivements during this era but not Petit. I usually put him at #3 on my list of the top PF of all time just behind Duncan and Malone but ahead of Barkley, Garnett, McHale and Hayes.

It’s too bad that there aren’t more highlights of him. Some of these are repeated:

 Both in their primes, I’d have to go with Malone and Barkley too.  They’re both bruisers and despite their height dis-advantage I like their style of rebounding better.

Rodman was a maniac, no doubt, but Robinson was more a finnesse rebounder.  He was a 7’1” guy who was a great athlete, and got a lot of rebounds as a result, but I think you can say Moses and Chuck were both better pure rebounders than Robinson.  Now, you throw Robinson’s scoring and shot blocking in the mix, it might be a different story, but from a purely rebounding standpoint, I go Malone and Barkley.

 Both in their primes, I’d have to go with Malone and Barkley too.  They’re both bruisers and despite their height dis-advantage I like their style of rebounding better.

Rodman was a maniac, no doubt, but Robinson was more a finnesse rebounder.  He was a 7’1” guy who was a great athlete, and got a lot of rebounds as a result, but I think you can say Moses and Chuck were both better pure rebounders than Robinson.  Now, you throw Robinson’s scoring and shot blocking in the mix, it might be a different story, but from a purely rebounding standpoint, I go Malone and Barkley.

Not only did they play those two seasons while both in their relative prime, but their career achievements may justify them being the best rebounding duo. If you look at Total Rebound Percentage, which is a measure of the amount of available rebounds a player is able to grab while on the floor, Dennis Rodman is clearly the best of all time in this statistical measurement. I think, as a specialist, it is proven that The Worm is more than likely, the best rebounder in NBA history, just in his sheer ability to grab as many boards as were possibly available to him. His percentage of 23.9%, is 3% higher than the next in line, Dwight Howard (20.9%, amazing). Moses is ranked 4th, but is at 19.83%, while Charles is ranked 15th at 18.2%. David Robinson is ranked 27th, but less than a percentage point below Charles at 17.29%. Now, clearly, 41.19% is clearly higher than 38.09%, which are the two combined totals.

Unfortunately, this statistic is only updated until 1970-71, though at the same time that gives us a crystal clear outlook as how it effected these two particular duos. Unfortunately, it gives us little insight into the percentage of available rebounds players like Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and even Nate Thurmond collected during their prime. They were all amazing, and if you add the two, it is quite obvious that the edge goes to Chamberlain and Thurmond over everyone, at least statistically. Still, they did only play two seasons together. The first of which, Thurmond was only a rookie, who averaged an obscene 10.4 boards per game off the bench (granted, he shot .395 from the field, which would be considered absolutely awful by todays standards, especially for a Center). The next season, Wilt only played 38 games with the Warriors, and by the time he was traded, the team had only won 11. They were 17-63 for the season, with Nate averaging 18 boards per game. Wilt averaged 23.5 in his 38 games with the than San Francisco Warriors. This means, that possibly the highest rebounding teammates ever to play together during a single NBA season, were basically on the dead last place team in the league.

Now, with Elgin, I was racking my brains as to how I could prove that he might have been a better rebounder than Thurmond. However, statistically, I can not do it. I just flat out forgot that Wilt even played with Nate during his last years in San Francisco, and I also felt that Baylor might have been a better rebounder than Nate while he played with Wilt in LA, though that does not seem to be the case (He averaged similar to Nates rookie year number, in a great deal more minutes). One thing I will say about Elgin, is that he was robbed of possibly having the greatest rebounding and statistical season of his career, at least to the full extent of games he could play. In 1961-62, Elgin averaged 38.3 ppg and 18.6 rpg, while only playing in 48 games. However, Elgin did not miss any games due to injury, but he was an Army Reservist who was called into active duty at the start of the season. He could only play for the Lakers when given a weekend pass, which lead to his only 48 out of a possible 80 games that year. The next year, he played every single game, and the year before that, 73. If Baylor had been able to play all 80 games, averaging the same amount of rebounds, he would have had 595 more rebounds that season, taking his career average from 13.55 to 13.73, and also moving him up from 25th to 21st on the All-Time total rebound leaders (he would be soon passed by Tim Duncan, but ahead of Dennis Rodman). Given that Elgin averaged a career high 19.8 the year before, if Elgin was allowed to actually be a regular basketball player rather than just a weekend warrior, who is to know that his averages would not be even higher?

I do not think it is fair to call someone a better pound for pound rebounder, though I believe that Moses Malone and Charles Barkley were better rebounders than David Robinson. It was just that Dennis Rodman, not even necessarily on a pound for pound basis, is more than likely the best rebounder to ever play the game, by far. JoeWolf, I think calling David Robinson a "finesse rebounder" kind of discredits the fact that he piled on boards like nobodies business. I remember Robinson having a bunch of 20/20 games during his day, and he lead the league in rebounding his second year in the league. He also probably would have been an even better statistical rebounder had he not been held away from the NBA to fulfill his duty to the Naval Academy. I doubt that really improved his ability as a basketball player, and I am guessing you could add to big rebounding seasons right out of the gate for "The Admiral". I do agree that Charles and Moses were better rebounders, but neither of them played with Dennis Rodman, and while David was below them as a player, I think Rodman might indeed lift them as a duo above anyone else out there.

Last couple side notes:

Defensive Rebounding % All-Time Leader: Bill Walton, 30.19%

Offensive Rebounding % All-Time Leader: Jayson Williams, 17.34%

Rodman is 3rd (behind Swen Nater) and 2nd on these two lists, but obviously destroys the combined mark. I know a lot of people tend to down play Bill Walton’s career, and it was fairly underwhelming statistically given he only played 482 games in a combined 10 playing seasons (he missed some full years), but he was a really amazing player. I highly suggest learning more about him, than you might realize why so many basketball people think so highly of him.

Not only did they play those two seasons while both in their relative prime, but their career achievements may justify them being the best rebounding duo. If you look at Total Rebound Percentage, which is a measure of the amount of available rebounds a player is able to grab while on the floor, Dennis Rodman is clearly the best of all time in this statistical measurement. I think, as a specialist, it is proven that The Worm is more than likely, the best rebounder in NBA history, just in his sheer ability to grab as many boards as were possibly available to him. His percentage of 23.9%, is 3% higher than the next in line, Dwight Howard (20.9%, amazing). Moses is ranked 4th, but is at 19.83%, while Charles is ranked 15th at 18.2%. David Robinson is ranked 27th, but less than a percentage point below Charles at 17.29%. Now, clearly, 41.19% is clearly higher than 38.09%, which are the two combined totals.

Unfortunately, this statistic is only updated until 1970-71, though at the same time that gives us a crystal clear outlook as how it effected these two particular duos. Unfortunately, it gives us little insight into the percentage of available rebounds players like Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and even Nate Thurmond collected during their prime. They were all amazing, and if you add the two, it is quite obvious that the edge goes to Chamberlain and Thurmond over everyone, at least statistically. Still, they did only play two seasons together. The first of which, Thurmond was only a rookie, who averaged an obscene 10.4 boards per game off the bench (granted, he shot .395 from the field, which would be considered absolutely awful by todays standards, especially for a Center). The next season, Wilt only played 38 games with the Warriors, and by the time he was traded, the team had only won 11. They were 17-63 for the season, with Nate averaging 18 boards per game. Wilt averaged 23.5 in his 38 games with the than San Francisco Warriors. This means, that possibly the highest rebounding teammates ever to play together during a single NBA season, were basically on the dead last place team in the league.

Now, with Elgin, I was racking my brains as to how I could prove that he might have been a better rebounder than Thurmond. However, statistically, I can not do it. I just flat out forgot that Wilt even played with Nate during his last years in San Francisco, and I also felt that Baylor might have been a better rebounder than Nate while he played with Wilt in LA, though that does not seem to be the case (He averaged similar to Nates rookie year number, in a great deal more minutes). One thing I will say about Elgin, is that he was robbed of possibly having the greatest rebounding and statistical season of his career, at least to the full extent of games he could play. In 1961-62, Elgin averaged 38.3 ppg and 18.6 rpg, while only playing in 48 games. However, Elgin did not miss any games due to injury, but he was an Army Reservist who was called into active duty at the start of the season. He could only play for the Lakers when given a weekend pass, which lead to his only 48 out of a possible 80 games that year. The next year, he played every single game, and the year before that, 73. If Baylor had been able to play all 80 games, averaging the same amount of rebounds, he would have had 595 more rebounds that season, taking his career average from 13.55 to 13.73, and also moving him up from 25th to 21st on the All-Time total rebound leaders (he would be soon passed by Tim Duncan, but ahead of Dennis Rodman). Given that Elgin averaged a career high 19.8 the year before, if Elgin was allowed to actually be a regular basketball player rather than just a weekend warrior, who is to know that his averages would not be even higher?

I do not think it is fair to call someone a better pound for pound rebounder, though I believe that Moses Malone and Charles Barkley were better rebounders than David Robinson. It was just that Dennis Rodman, not even necessarily on a pound for pound basis, is more than likely the best rebounder to ever play the game, by far. JoeWolf, I think calling David Robinson a "finesse rebounder" kind of discredits the fact that he piled on boards like nobodies business. I remember Robinson having a bunch of 20/20 games during his day, and he lead the league in rebounding his second year in the league. He also probably would have been an even better statistical rebounder had he not been held away from the NBA to fulfill his duty to the Naval Academy. I doubt that really improved his ability as a basketball player, and I am guessing you could add to big rebounding seasons right out of the gate for "The Admiral". I do agree that Charles and Moses were better rebounders, but neither of them played with Dennis Rodman, and while David was below them as a player, I think Rodman might indeed lift them as a duo above anyone else out there.

Last couple side notes:

Defensive Rebounding % All-Time Leader: Bill Walton, 30.19%

Offensive Rebounding % All-Time Leader: Jayson Williams, 17.34%

Rodman is 3rd (behind Swen Nater) and 2nd on these two lists, but obviously destroys the combined mark. I know a lot of people tend to down play Bill Walton’s career, and it was fairly underwhelming statistically given he only played 482 games in a combined 10 playing seasons (he missed some full years), but he was a really amazing player. I highly suggest learning more about him, than you might realize why so many basketball people think so highly of him.

 I in no way was trying to discredit David Robinson, he’s always been a player I liked and respected, but from a style perspective you had Chuck and Moses who approached rebounding from a more physical standpoint.  Robinson was a high volume rebounder and I vividly remember him having a 40/20 game in the playoffs in the mid 90’s but he was not as aggressive as Chuck or Moses on the glass, in my opinion.  

I never thought David Robinson was soft and the word finesse wasn’t intended to make that jab again, but rather to point out his size and athletic prowess.  Barkley and Malone were better rebounders and they were shorter and more physical players, that’s all. 

 I in no way was trying to discredit David Robinson, he’s always been a player I liked and respected, but from a style perspective you had Chuck and Moses who approached rebounding from a more physical standpoint.  Robinson was a high volume rebounder and I vividly remember him having a 40/20 game in the playoffs in the mid 90’s but he was not as aggressive as Chuck or Moses on the glass, in my opinion.  

I never thought David Robinson was soft and the word finesse wasn’t intended to make that jab again, but rather to point out his size and athletic prowess.  Barkley and Malone were better rebounders and they were shorter and more physical players, that’s all. 

Yeah, "finesse" has kind of turned into almost a synonym for soft. But, David Robinson, while he was maybe at times seen as overpowered by some better Centers (Hakeem and Shaq), was pretty damn amazing. It is honestly a tad surprising he was not even more dominant than he was, given his size and athleticism. Moses Malone and Barkley were both incredible, and had a fantastic number of double digit rebounding seasons, but honestly, career average becomes more important to me than how many a player might have had. As I said, you could throw two more in for David Robinson, who actually averaged more rebounds per game than Moses in his twilight years. Not saying he was better, I still rank Moses ahead of him as a rebounder and Center, but just saying that I think the total number of double digit seasons might be slightly overrated if you are looking for the best overall. Career, it means a lot, but overall, not as much. Also, Moses and Barkley only had one year as double digit rebounding teammates. I will go with the guys who were both in their collective prime, because otherwise you are not really taking into account how the two actually benefited each other with their skills while playing on the same team.

Yeah, "finesse" has kind of turned into almost a synonym for soft. But, David Robinson, while he was maybe at times seen as overpowered by some better Centers (Hakeem and Shaq), was pretty damn amazing. It is honestly a tad surprising he was not even more dominant than he was, given his size and athleticism. Moses Malone and Barkley were both incredible, and had a fantastic number of double digit rebounding seasons, but honestly, career average becomes more important to me than how many a player might have had. As I said, you could throw two more in for David Robinson, who actually averaged more rebounds per game than Moses in his twilight years. Not saying he was better, I still rank Moses ahead of him as a rebounder and Center, but just saying that I think the total number of double digit seasons might be slightly overrated if you are looking for the best overall. Career, it means a lot, but overall, not as much. Also, Moses and Barkley only had one year as double digit rebounding teammates. I will go with the guys who were both in their collective prime, because otherwise you are not really taking into account how the two actually benefited each other with their skills while playing on the same team.