I decided to compose this entry Saturday night at half-time of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic.
I was shocked to look at the box score and see 1 offensive rebound next to Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.
Big reason for the shock?
He was on the floor for all 24 minutes.
Matter of fact, the Magic shot 12 for 31 from the field and were able to pull down 1 offensive rebound as a team in the half.
For the game they had 3 offensive rebounds. In Games 1 and 2 the Magic pulled down 15 and 10.
Offensive rebounding is all about being aggressive. It’s about pursuing the ball. It’s about mental toughness. It’s hard work and determination.
I was surprised at how the Magic players stand around on the perimeter and watch the ball when a shot is taken. (That is one of my main problems with this ‘D-D-M’ offense. Sure you drive and kick out to open shooters, but what happens when a shot is missed; who gets the rebounds?)
Players like Charles Oakley, Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace and Moses Malone were relentless on the glass. When a shot went up, they went after the ball.
“It’s not about height; a lot of people think it is,” said Wilt Chamberlain, the NBA’s all-time leading rebounder. “People don’t realize rebounding is a mental thing.”
If you don’t have the heart and desire to go after the ball, you don’t have a chance.
Like ‘Wilt the Stilt’ mentioned, it doesn’t matter how tall you are, how strong you are or what position you play. I’m watching Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, the second smallest cat on the floor go in and snatch offensive rebounds; he’s 6’1″.
Even if you can’t get the rebound, at least try to tip it backwards. Better yet, make some sort of effort to pursue the ball.
When a shot goes up, crash the boards! Don’t stand around and watch.
Want to know what separates good rebounders from the great ones? “Heart, it’s that simple.” said Robert Parish.
5 Traits of Great Rebounders:
1-Intensity
2-Hard Work
3-Positioning
4-Guts
5-Pursue the Ball
“Nothing in the game gives me as much of a rush as the feeling I get when I grab an offensive rebound over two or three guys in the final three minutes of a game…it completley demoralizes the other team.”
-Charles Barkley
-Coach Finamore
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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I think rebounding in the DDM, or any offense, is doable with the traits you described. It’s not the offense that makes those guys stand around. In fact smaller teams can rebound offensively very well in the DDM because there are more long rebounds available.
Good call. Nice to see you. I see the Magic players driving and kicking out; after that, people stand around.
The Magic is not doing much of anything. It’s like the Celtics ripped their hearts out during game 1. Sad to watch a team fold like this. I thought they were better than this. The Magic may be dismantled before the Celtics are.
It is odd to see that in the eastern conference finals. C’s look fresh, Magic looked drained. if they want to gain any respect back they need a W Monday night.