Best Knicks on Boards

But make no mistake: rebounding, first and foremost, means extra possessions for your team -- and, with the talent at the highest level of hoops so unbelievably well matched, the team possessing those extra possessions usually has the better shot at winning by far.

These are the Top Five greatest rebounders in Knicks history:

1. CHARLES OAKLEY
   A ferocious forward with an edge (and a half), the Oak made rebounding his religion. “That was his role, his job, basically his everything,” onetime Knicks guard Mike Glenn says. “God help you if you got in his way. And the type of guy Oakley was, no one dared to interfere.” Only 6-8 and not much of a jumper, The Oak was the perfect example why those in the know consider rebounding a “will-skill” i.e. you can be outstanding at it if you really, really, REALLY want to be.

   Willis Reed Walter Iooss/ NBAE/ Getty Images

   Oakley holds the Knicks single-game offensive rebounding record with 14 (against Boston in 1989). He’s also led the team in rebounding five times -- while playing next to, and playing significantly lesser minutes than -- elite big man Patrick Ewing.

2. WILLIS REED
   “The Captain” would do anything to win, including sacrificing his 6-9, 240-pound body against the most glittering group of centers -- Wilt Chamberlain, Zelmo Beatty, Nate Thurmond, Bob Lanier, Bob McAdoo, Wes Unseld, Dave Cowens, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar et. al.-- playing at the same time in NBA history. He may have given away many pounds and inches to those super-dupers -- but he never gave them a single inch in The Battle Of The Boards.

   Reed still holds the Knicks single-season rebounding mark with 1191 (accomplished in 1968-69).

   Walt Bellamy NBA Photo Library/NBAE/Getty Images

   
   

3. WALT BELLAMY
   The best numerical ‘bounder the Knicks have ever had (13.2 pg., up to 16.2 in the playoffs), Big Bells was, well, big (7-0), moved extremely well, and was shockingly agile and athletic for a player his size. He averaged a unbelievable 19.0 rebounds per game as a rookie in Chicago and was in double digits rebounding 11 different times.

   Yet, for some reason, Bellamy remains one of those players who, in spite of his 1993 election into the Basketball Hall Of Fame, has never quite received the credit he’s so richly earned.

4. DAVE DeBUSSCHERE
   Edgy, nasty, and ultra-physical,

   Dave DeBusschere Walter Iooss Jr./ NBAE/Getty Images

   he was the premiere NBA professional who, with his amazing commitment and ability to focus, never took a single play off. Ever. “The ultimate competitor,” longtime Knicks broadcaster Spencer Ross says about Double D. “I’m telling you, Ali-Frazier, Hearns-Hagler, Nicklaus-Palmer and all the other great sports match-ups had nothing on Dave and Gus Johnson. When those two went up against each other it was a rare treat. You were exhausted jut watching them.”

5. HARRY GALLATIN
   Only 6-6, Harry The Horse, who holds the Knicks single-game rebounding record with 33 (in a tie with Reed), was pure determination personified. “I don’t know if Harry knew math,” smiles Ross. “But he had such knowledge of angles, where the ball would come off the boards, and the art of boxing out that he probably had to. I don’t know if anyone has ever gotten an offensive board against The Horse.”

   Harry Gallatin NBA Photo Library/NBAE/Getty Images

   How great a rebounder was Gallatin? He had trouble making a shot beyond a lay-up -- yet he is in the Hall of Fame.

   THE NEXT FIVE:

6. “JUMPING” JOHHNY GREEN
   The 6-6 forward with the heavenly hops made rebounding his life’s work. “Not many people are aware of this – but the offensive goaltending rule was put on the books due to Johnny and Wilt (Chamberlain),” says onetime Knicks forward, and a top rebounder in his own right, Cal Ramsay.

7. PATRICK EWING
   The classic big man was a very good rebounder -- but he focused more on his offense. “When you have a power forward such as Oakley playing next to you, it allows your priorities to go elsewhere,” says Glenn. “Oak was the kind of guy who would get mad at anybody pulling a rebound away from him -- including Patrick.”

8. MARCUS CAMBY
   A different type of ‘bounder -- willowy, flexible, astonishingly athletic, and with a great reach to cover extra territory around the boards -- who led the team with 11.5 boards per game in 2000-01.

9. MAURICE LUCAS
   Punishing board-meister was intimidating opponents to the tune of 11.3 rebounds per game in his single year with the Knicks.

10. WILLIE NAULLS
    Extra-intelligent all-around 6-6 forward led the Knicks in rebounding four times and ranks seventh on the team’s all-time boarding list. Had 29 reebs in one game against Syracuse on Jan 2. 1958.