Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own blog, Hoops Haven .
No player from the Charlotte Bobcats franchise has ever won one of the league’s top individual awards like scoring, rebounding, or assists. That may change this this season since swingman Gerald Wallace is currently leading the league in rebounding with an average of 12.3 boards per game. Most fans may think that G-Dub could not possibly keep up that high rate of rebounds for an entire season. While there are many doubters, the man with the nickname of “Crash” just might have the intestinal fortitude and agressive style of play to become one of the few players under 6’8, to win an NBA rebounding title.
Now in his 9th professional season, Wallace has always been known as a player with tremendous heart who plays with reckless abandon and does virtually everything in his power to help his squad win. While effort has never been a question, his decision making has. “Crash” has definitely earned his nickname by sacrificing his body, sometimes without a thought of the consequences. He has suffered numerous injuries, including upwards of 4 concussions and even a punctured lung because of his reckless play. When it comes to rebounding, his style of play may actually help to gobble up rebounds at an alarming rate.
Rebounding has apparently become his newest challenge since he has already added three point shooting to his arsenal in recent seasons. He has honed his long distance shooting in part to keep him out of the painted area to avoid guarding bigger players in an attempt to avoid any further concussions. When Wallace sets his sights on something, he usually accomplishes those goals. He has worked hard to improve his scoring, rebounds, assists, blocks , steals, and 3 point % to virtual All-Star caliber numbers in recent seasons. Even though he has only a career 5.4 boards per game average, he cleared the glass at a career best 7.8 per game last season.
Another obstacle in his way is his height. Rebounding crowns are usually won by 6’9 or better post players like Dwight Howard, David Robinson, and Kevin Garnett. There have been a few exceptions like the 6’8 Dennis Rodman, who won 7 consecutive rebounding crowns, and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, at 6’5, became the shortest ever to lead the league in rebounding at 14.6 per game in ’86-’87. The difference is that both of those players were primarily post players. One other probable reason for the increase in rebounds is because a few of Charlotte’s frontcourt players, Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw, have been slow to return because of ankle injuries. Chandler, at 7’1 and who has averaged more than 9 rebounds per game in his career, will likely take a few boards away from Wallace when finally in game shape.
In my opinion Wallace may be the only player in the league with the mind-set to accomplish this feat as a perimeter oriented player. One way to help is if coach Larry Brown would only play Wallace at home where he is averaging 21 ppg and 17.5 rebounds,………..but that’s not going to happen. Is it too early to think that Wallace could finally earn his first All-Star selection? Can he sustain this pace and become this season’s Chairman of the Boards?
