Kevin Love among 5 new players to average 10+ RPG

[Mcfale313]

http://dimemag.com/2009/09/5-new-player ... is-season/

5 New Players That Will Average 10+ Rebounds This Season

By Aron Phillips


In case you didn’t know, last season there were only six players in the NBA that averaged over 10.0 rebounds per game. And now that the offseason landscape has finally settled down, with the majority of the big trades and free agents signings out of the way, here are five guys that will average 10+ boards this coming season that didn’t last year.

1. Pau Gasol - It’s crazy to think that even on the Grizzlies, Gasol has never averaged over 10 rebounds per game. And even last year, with Andrew Bynum sidelined for a good chunk of the year, that he didn’t crack double figures either, finishing the season at 9.6 rpg. But even with Bynum back and Lamar Odom re-signed, I feel Gasol will finally do it. En route to the championship last year he averaged 10.8 rpg in the playoffs, so Gasol should just pickup where he left off.

2. Kevin Love - As a rookie last year, Love averaged a ridiculous 9.1 rebounds per game in only 25 minutes a night. So this year, with new coach Kurt Rambis finally letting the big fella play, he could potentially lead the league.

3. Luis Scola - While I have no stats to back it up, I’d say Scola is one of the more popular players in the League. And while tons of comments yesterday said that the 6-9 forward/center would be averaging 20+ points per game this season, with Yao Ming (and his 9.9 rebounds per game) sidelined, Scola is going to have more than enough opportunity to grab 10+ boards a night. So if 20 and 10 actually comes to fruition, expect his popularity to continue to soar.

4. Paul Millsap - While Carlos Boozer’s fate is still uncertain, one thing in Utah is for sure: Millsap is the future. While he ended the season averaging 8.6 rebounds per game, if given the opportunity and the starring role, Millsap is a nightly double-double waiting to happen.

5. Brook Lopez - The youth movement is in full effect in New Jersey, and Lopez is a huge part of it. As a rookie last year, the seven-footer averaged 8.1 rebounds per game in only 30 minutes a game, and those minutes should definitely increase this season. As the runner-up behind Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo for Rookie of the Year, expect another huge season out of Brook.

I just wonder how many rebounds will Thabeet average per game

[deeney0]

Thabeet will be between 6.5 and 7.5, methinks.

[Narf]

Thabeet will be between 6.5 and 7.5, methinks.

I take the under

[Mcfale313]

o well, i guess the best scenerio for Thabeet is to become a Mutumbo, if he ever average about 10 pt 11 reb per game thats pretty much his best season of his career

[John Doe [MIN]]

Weird that Love isn't the 1st one on the list. Of the five, he's easily the safest bet.

[GopherIt!]

safest bet? Derek Smalls will go to 11 this season.

[jade_hippo]

Thabeet could easily average north of 2.5 blocks a game i think though. 5pts 5 rbd 2.6 blks 3.9 fouls in 22min.

[Foye]

I think Thabeast will average less than 5 rebs and less than 2 blocks per game.

[C.lupus]

Weird that Love isn't the 1st one on the list. Of the five, he's easily the safest bet.

They seem to be ranked according to their rebound stats from last year.

[john2jer]

With Rambis pushing the pace this year as well, that means more possessions, thus more chances at rebounds. Plus, Love as the crashing big man on the secondary break, I can see even more offensive rebounds, which is scary.

Assuming he plays north of 30mpg, 10+ boards should be rather easy for him. Especially since he's been working out all summer and slimming down. Hopefully he's visited Dick Enrico at 2nd Wind Exercise.

[deeney0]

Rambis believes in assigned tasks. Kevin is to get all of the rebounds, Flynn is to get all of the assists, Al is to get all of the points, Corey is to play all of the defense and Sessions is to do all of the dribbling. Expect Love to grab at least 25 boards a game. Expect to Wolves to lose by triple digits.

[john2jer]

Rambis believes in assigned tasks. Kevin is to get all of the rebounds, Flynn is to get all of the assists, Al is to get all of the points, Corey is to play all of the defense and Sessions is to do all of the dribbling. Expect Love to grab at least 25 boards a game. Expect to Wolves to lose by triple digits.

Flawless, I like it.

[Basti]

Rambis believes in assigned tasks. Kevin is to get all of the rebounds, Flynn is to get all of the assists, Al is to get all of the points, Corey is to play all of the defense and Sessions is to do all of the dribbling. Expect Love to grab at least 25 boards a game. Expect to Wolves to lose by triple digits.

we need a Madsen type of guy to collect all the DNPs

[collin_k41]

^^I think I could handle that

[moss_is_1]

I doubt he's going to lead the league just because Howard will have more chances since Al and Brewer/Gomes are good rebounders for their spot. 12 boards isn't out of the question for Love I think. along with 3 assists and 9-11 point.

[GopherIt!]

Rambis believes in assigned tasks. Kevin is to get all of the rebounds, Flynn is to get all of the assists, Al is to get all of the points, Corey is to play all of the defense and Sessions is to do all of the dribbling. Expect Love to grab at least 25 boards a game. Expect to Wolves to lose by triple digits.

So does Hollins gets all the fouls?

[Effigy]

Is Al Jefferson going to miss the season again? If not, I suspect Love's boards will go down, not up.

[Mattya]

Is Al Jefferson going to miss the season again? If not, I suspect Love's boards will go down, not up.

There was some time there when Big Al was healthy and Love was getting decent minutes that both were getting +10 rebounds per game

[john2jer]

Is Al Jefferson going to miss the season again? If not, I suspect Love's boards will go down, not up.

Jefferson's healthy and will start on opening night.

But Jefferson averaged 11+ last year and Love still average ~9 when Jefferson was healthy. Keep in mind we don't have Mike Miller anymore who averaged more than 6 boards a game last year. Also, Kevin Love averaged his 9.1 boards in 25mpg. Up that to 30mpg at the same rate and that's 10.9boards a game. That ignores losing Miller/Foye, who were great rebounders for their position, and improved play from Love due to better conditioning.

I think it's quite possible and likely that both Jefferson and Love average over 10 boards a game.

EDIT: Also, the Wolves played in a slow it down style offense last year, they'll definitely be playing at a faster pace under Rambis.

[TrentTuckerForever]

Rambis believes in assigned tasks. Kevin is to get all of the rebounds, Flynn is to get all of the assists, Al is to get all of the points, Corey is to play all of the defense and Sessions is to do all of the dribbling. Expect Love to grab at least 25 boards a game. Expect to Wolves to lose by triple digits.

we need a Madsen type of guy to take all the 3 pointers and ensure a high draft pick.

Fixed, basti.

I don't think he'll average much over 10 per game if Jefferson is healthy. Assuming Love and Big Al are healthy and playing together, Jefferson figures to be the weak-side shotblocker/rebounder, with Love drawing the tougher defensive assignment, right? That means fewer total rebounds for Love. Doesn't take away from his skill at rebounding, I just don't think it will translate to league-leading numbers.