Rebounding is one of those parts of basketball that can translate almost seamlessly to other sports. It’s all a matter of who works the hardest, has the best positioning and properly times the jump for the ball. Not for the faint of heart, rebounding is truly a dog fight. It’s a favorite of basketball purists, and a fear of most players who like to stay safe and untouched on the perimeter.
While not one of the more glamorous parts of basketball, rebounding is nonetheless a vital part to team success. When looking at a box score at the end of the game, the winning team almost always has more rebounds than the opponent. This partly explains why teams such as the Memphis Grizzlies, with forward Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol, and the Chicago Bulls, with forward Joakim Noah and center Pau Gasol, are some of the most successful teams in the league. They fight for the ball and usually get it.
Coaches should use sports team websites to outline the hard work that goes into proper rebounding technique. Young athletes might initially oppose this kind of practice, but they’ll soon realize that it’s worth it for the win.
Nowitzki reaches rebounding landmark
When fans think of the legendary Dirk Nowitzki, forward for the Dallas Mavericks, the classic fadeaway jump shot probably comes to mind. Or perhaps they remember the upset victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals a few years ago. Well, they should also commend him for rebounds. According to NBC Sports, he recently grabbed career rebound number 10,000.
“That’s pretty unbelievable,” Nowitzki told the news outlet. “I came here when I was 20, probably the worst 7-foot rebounder in the league at the time. I still wouldn’t say I’m a great rebounder, but I learned how to use my length some.”
Arizona thrives on the glass
The Arizona men’s basketball team is one of the top contenders in the NCAA tournament this year. And according to the Arizona Daily Star, the team thrives with its commitment to rebounding.
“We’re well aware of our rebounding total; we know it makes us a good team,” coach Sean Miller told the news outlet. “We have a lot of talent in that area. The first half against UCLA, we did not do a very good job of it. In the second half we broke the game open because we did an outstanding job, and really ditto for the Cal game.”
