Best all time basketball rebounder? (offense and defense)

[jiw98]

If my math is correct, looking at the careers of Chamberlain vs. Rodman.
Chamberlain collected 40.3% of the available rebounds per game.
Rodman collected 29.9% of the available rebounds per game.
Yes there were more rebounds available when Wilt played, but he also dominated the boards.
I'll go with Wilt all the way as the better rebounder.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by jiw98

If my math is correct, looking at the careers of Chamberlain vs. Rodman.
Chamberlain collected 40.3% of the available rebounds per game.
Rodman collected 29.9% of the available rebounds per game.
Yes there were more rebounds available when Wilt played, but he also dominated the boards.
I'll go with Wilt all the way as the better rebounder.

That's because Rodman played 31.7 minutes per game for his career, and Wilt played 45.8 minutes/ game.

So Rodman collected a higher % of available rebounds than Wilt (per minute on the floor)

[jiw98]

Chamberlain had .49 rebounds per minute played
Rodman had .41 rebounds per minute played
Chamberlain still leads if my math is correct, so I'm still staying with Chamberlain.

[clydepepper]

For Offensive Rebounds...Moses Malone, Adrian Dantley and Bernard King

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

For Offensive Rebounds...Moses Malone, Adrian Dantley and Bernard King

Moses was INSANE on the O-boards

[ClementeFanOh]

My list:


#1- Wilt
#2- Wilt
#3- Wilt

Wilt could (and did) carry entire teams on his back, season after season. His rebounding numbers weren't just because he was tall either (Manute Bol and Shawn Bradley, anyone?) We are all offering opinions of course. Mine is that every other guy on this list- including some wonderful players I like- are playing for 2nd best.
Trent King

[ALR-bishop]

Chamberlain averaged over 48 minutes a game in the 61/62 season. Maybe we should adjust his figures for hogging so much time on the court.

Was fortunate to see him play in person when the Hawks were still in St Louis

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by jiw98

Chamberlain had .49 rebounds per minute played
Rodman had .41 rebounds per minute played
Chamberlain still leads if my math is correct, so I'm still staying with Chamberlain.

You have to combine the two statistics to get percentage of possible rebound per minute played which Rodman is well-ahead in.

Also there's a difference between a center in the 1960's and a power forward in the 1990's and where they are guarding their opponent. Wilt was almost always right under the rim, Rodman could be nearly anywhere on the floor. So by nature of his position and era (a center today is much less likely to just be parked under the basket) Chamberlain had an advantage.

[howard38]

Originally Posted by jiw98

If my math is correct, looking at the careers of Chamberlain vs. Rodman.
Chamberlain collected 40.3% of the available rebounds per game.
Rodman collected 29.9% of the available rebounds per game.
Yes there were more rebounds available when Wilt played, but he also dominated the boards.
I'll go with Wilt all the way as the better rebounder.

Basketball-reference.com has a stat called total rebound % which I assume is something akin to what you calculated. They have Rodman at only 23.4% but only have data on Wilt's last three seasons when he was 34-36 years old. Rodman beats him by a lot in his 34-36 years, something like 25% to 19%. Both figures seem low to me but I don't know how they came up with the numbers. I'm quite sure that Chamberlain's % was higher than Rodman's earlier in his career & likely over their entire careers, however. FWIW, I think Chamberlain was the best rebounder but Rodman is definitely in the mix.