NBA Power Rankings: Ranking Kevin Love, Dwight Howard And NBA's Best Rebounders
Kevin Love isn't the most athletic player in the game, yet he leads the NBA in rebounding by using his big frame to position himself in the best spot to grab the ball.
Love is an old-school rebounder, who doesn't rely on superior athleticism to rise over defenders to grab the ball.
Dwight Howard on the other hand is so big, strong and athletic that he simply can rise over defenders to grab the basketball.
When comparing Love and Howard you have two players who are two completely differentย rebounders. Most big men fall somewhere in between the likes of Howard and Love on the scale of athleticism.ย
But where does K-Love rank among the league's best rebounders?ย
Find out ahead as I power rank the best rebounders in the NBA.
No. 10: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
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In his fourth year with the Hawks, Horford remains a consistent but not great rebounder. This season, Horford's averaging 9.6 rebounds per game, which falls in line with his first three years in the league.
Horford's never averaged double-digit rebounds over the course of a season, but he finished about as close as you can last year when he tallied 9.9 RPG. And over the course of 48 minutes, his rebounding average jumps to 13.5.
Horford is one of the NBA's best centers and he'll be in the league a very long time with the way he rebounds the basketball.
No. 9: Pau Gasol, LA Lakers
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Gasol is mostly known for being a finesse player, but that isn't the case anymore. Last season Gasol averaged 11.3 RPG and has once again put up strong numbers in the category with 10.7 RPG this season.
The seven-footer from Spain currently is sixth in the league in rebounding. What keeps Gasol from being higher on this list is the high amount of minutes he plays.
Right now, Gasol's averaging a little over 37 minutes per game, which means his rebounding numbers are a little inflated compared to others who average fewer minutes.
No. 8: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
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It's been a great career for Garnett and before he hurt his leg he looked like the KG of the 2008 season when Boston won it all.
KG's still a premier rebounder despite not being able to rise like he used to.
This season, the Big Ticket's grabbing 9.5 RPG in a little under 32 MPG. And his RP48 is 14.4.
There's no question KG is still a Top 10 rebounder in the NBA.
No. 7: Kris Humphries, NJ Nets
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Humphries is more notable for dating Kim Kardashian than he is for being a rebounding machine. It's been a breakout season on the glass for Humphries, who has seen an increase in playing time.
While Humphries doesn't have the name power as a Garnett, he deserves to be on this list right now. Humphries is averaging 9.3 RPG, but more impressively his RP48 is 17.7 which has him tied for third in the league with Howard.
It's hard to put Humphries above a guy like KG because of his history, but his performance has warranted this ranking.
No. 6: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
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Duncan's on his last legs and his production is falling in almost every category. The Big Fundamental has never averaged less than 10 rebounds in his career, which is truly amazing, but that could change this season.ย
As of now, Duncan is averaging 9.4 RPG in a little less than 30 minutes of action.
Keeping Duncan's minutes down to have him rested for the playoffs is the ultimate goal for Gregg Popovich.
The decrease in minutes could mean Duncan misses out on averaging a double-double for the first time in his career.
Nevertheless, Duncan lands in this spot for his body of work and his ability to position himself correctly when going for rebounds.
No. 5: Blake Griffin, LA Clippers
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In his first season, Griffin's been an absolute pleasure to watch and there's no question he's already one of the best rebounders in the NBA.
Griffin is so athletically gifted that everything he does on the basketball court looks easy.
Through 35 games, Griffin's averaging 12.7 RPGโthird best in the NBAโand is averaging close to four offensive boards per game. Griffin will easily climb up this list as the years go by.ย
No. 4: Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
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The 29-year-old veteran out of Michigan State has found a home with the Grizzlies. Randolph's followed up last year's impressive season by hitting the glass even harder this season to a tune of 12.6 RPG. That puts him fourth overall in the NBA.
Randolph has also made a big impact on the offensive glass, where he is averaging a little over four boards per game. And his RP48 stands at 16.6, which is good enough to land him No. 4 overall on my list.
No. 3: Marcus Camby, Portland Trail Blazers
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It's hard to believe that Camby's already 36 years old, although his scoring has taken a dip with age, his rebounding numbers have stayed consistent. Once again, Camby finds himself near the top of the league in rebounding with 11.3 RPG.
You may be wondering why Camby gets the nod over Griffin and Randolph, who both are grabbing more boards per game, but all you need to look at is the discrepancy in minutes played between the three.
Camby's RP48 is a staggering 19, which makes him second in the NBA to K-Love.
It's clear that Camby's getting older, but he still can board with the best of them.
No. 2: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
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It's hard to go against Howard when ranking the best rebounders in the game because of how effortless he boards the ball.
But when you look at the numbers he falls short of being No. 1 this season. Howard's averaging an impressive 13.1 RPG, which puts him second in the NBA behind Love.
There are flaws in Howard's game on the offensive end, but definitely not when it comes to playing defense and rebounding. Howard has the ability to rise over defenders and grab the ball at its height and come down with it.
Love has made it a debate between himself and Howard for the best rebounder in the game, but as of right now, Love comes in first.
No. 1: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
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There isn't a better rebounder than Love is this year. The consistent nose he has for the ball is truly amazing. There never seems to be a play where Love doesn't get his hand on the ball after a miss.ย
Love leads the league in rebounding with 15.6 per game and his RP48 is also tops in the NBA at 20.5. Not to mention, he is grabbing 4.9 offensive rebounds per game, which is incredibly high.
Love doesn't look like a physical force but he knows how to use his body and he has a knack for the basketball. Right now, K-Love is the best rebounder in the NBA.
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