When it comes to dominating the boards in the NBA, several duos come to mind based on different eras. Back in the 1960s, Wilt Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond set the golden standard for rebounding duos. Wilt pulled down an astonishing average of 22.9 rebounds per game in his career, while Nate wasn’t far behind, grabbing around 15 per game. These two giants were a nightmare for opposing players with their sheer size and rebounding prowess. Not to mention, the San Francisco Warriors had the luxury of experimenting with different lineups with these rebounding maestros on their squad.
Fast forward to the 80s, and you can’t help but think of Moses Malone and Charles Barkley. Malone was a rebounding machine, grabbing 14.7 rebounds per game during the 1982-83 season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Barkley, often playing the power forward position despite being only 6’6″, chipped in with double-digit rebounds consistently. Together, they made the Sixers a fearsome team to deal with. You can’t ignore the fact that Malone’s MVP season led the Sixers to an NBA Championship in 1983—a prime example of how strong rebounding can be a cornerstone to success.
Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone during their brief stint with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2003-2004 season deserve mention, too. Shaq’s sheer dominance in the paint with his 7’1” frame and over 300 pounds of muscle often saw him averaging around 10+ rebounds per game. Karl Malone, even in the twilight of his career, put up respectable rebounding numbers given his age and role on the team. This duo might not have had the lengthy reign others did, but their impact was immediate in terms of controlling the glass.
During the late 2000s, Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat on the Orlando Magic created another rebounding stronghold. Howard, known for his incredible leaping ability and timing, led the league in rebounds per game multiple seasons, peaking at an average of 14.5 per game during the 2009-2010 season. Gortat, although coming off the bench, was a solid contributor with his efficiency and defensive acumen, pulling down around 5-6 rebounds in limited minutes. This gave the Magic a vital edge in an era where rebounding was crucial for launching effective fast breaks.
In recent years, DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers were a rebounding duo to reckon with. Jordan, often leading the league in rebound percentage, could snatch around 13-14 rebounds per game. His partner, Griffin, not only contributed offensively but also helped with strong 8-9 rebounding averages per game. Together, they made the Clippers one of the most entertaining teams to watch during the 2010s, given their ability to dominate both ends of the floor.
The latest dynamic duo in terms of rebounding is probably Andre Drummond and LeBron James with the Lakers. Drummond, who has been a rebounding leader since entering the league, continues to be a force in the paint with a career average of around 13.7 rebounds per game. LeBron, with his incredible basketball IQ, often grabs crucial boards, leading his team from the front. Their combined effort has made the Lakers a formidable rebounding team in the current era.
If you love to see the best in basketball, make sure to catch these teams in action via arena plus, and witness history in the making.