Doc on Rebounding: “Not a Crisis”

“We have to be a more physical rebounding team,’’ Rivers said. “We’re not going to jump over everybody, we’re not a great athletic team that way. And, sometimes, we rely on that and we find out during the game we’re not, so I think that’s something we have to do better.

“We’ve been up and down in that. Overall, those are things we have to get better at. I don’t think it’s a crisis, or anything.”

I’m already on record (several times) as being concerned about the C’s early rebounding numbers, though I agree with Doc that it’s not a “crisis” until a) we see if it sustains over a longer period; and b) we see if Big Baby helps the ORB numbers a bit.

That DRB number really needs to be in the top 10. The C’s front line is filled with great defensive rebounders (KG, Sheed, Perk) who have never been elite offensive rebounders. Not only that, but some evidence suggests that (for various reasons) veteran big men improve as defensive rebounders and see their ORB numbers decline as they age.

In other words: This team should be really good at defensive rebounding—probably better than 11th-best in the league.

Offensive rebounding is a different story. Their personnel suggests the C’s will continue to fare poorly there. The big question becomes: Can the C’s find ways to score when perimeter shots aren’t falling? Right now, they rate poorly in offensive rebounding and getting to the foul line.

Can they improve in either area?