Rebounders are often overlooked in the NBA. Yet, the ability to end a defensive possession without conceding points, or to give your teammates a second chance on offense, is an integral aspect of a high-level team.
Throughout the Golden State Warriors’ history, the team has had dominant rebounders, some of whom have amassed over 10,000 boards during their tenure with the franchise. Now that we’re in the quiet part of the NBA off-season, it seems like the perfect time to cast our minds back in history and remember some of the Warriors’ best contributors.
Today’s edition will focus on the best rebounders in Warriors’ history – both in Golden State and in Philadelphia. The players who did the dirty work that often isn’t discussed in the sports pages or on late-night sports talk TV and radio.
As such, let’s dive in as we look all the way back to the 1950s, along with some more recent contributors to Golden State’s rebounding charts, with the statistics provided by StatMuse.
1. Nate Thurmond - 12,771
2. Wilt Chamberlain - 10,768
3. Larry Smith - 6,440
4. Clyde Lee - 6,416
5. Paul Arizin - 6,129
6. Neil Johnston - 5,856
7. Draymond Green - 5,275
8. Rick Barry - 4,655
9. Joe Graboski - 4,503
Joe Graboski spent 13 seasons in the NBA, eight of them with the Philadelphia Warriors. During his time in a Warriors jersey, Graboski amassed 4503 rebounds, placing him ninth in the franchise’s All-Time rebounds list. Grabsoki’s career spanned from 1948 to 1962, he also won a championship with the Warriors in 1956.