I don’t think you can just compare rebound numbers per game average. When comparing stats between players there is a whole lot goes into it including style of play (not just pace of play). The list has a lot of “old school” style centers, particularly at the top. They hang out in the paint, rarely guard on the perimeter and for the most part don’t run the floor hard.
Also, you need to take into account minutes played not just games played. PER36 helps there, but it is less than perfect especially the further away the actual minutes gets from the PER 36. Players with fewer minutes might have a high PER36 because of the competition they are facing possibly just bench players.
However, in this list, while most play more minutes than Willie, no one plays less than 25 minutes. Here is the list modified to reflect PER36. Most players are listed as centers, forwards or combos. As you can see, “old school” centers at the top.
Antetokounmpo is in a league by himself as regards position, he is listed PG, SG, SF, and PF, surprisingly not center.
Beginning with the super star Embid are the “new NBA centers” including stars Davis and Towns. Interestingly enough, other than Embid, Willie’s PER36 numbers are not too far off from their numbers. He is within a little over a rebound away from Capela, whom everyone was enamored with a while back and scores 3 more points than Capela. He is only 1-1/2 rebounds away from potential MVP Davis while scoring 3 points less. Not to say he is as good as either, but just comparing stats.
Willie has shown improvement every year and has made a big leap this year, as he said he would. He said that last year would not be his breakout year, but this year would be. He still has things to improve on including rebounding. But, realistically, with the Kings style of play, you are probably only talking a couple more rebounds a game, 12 to 13 PER36 would be great with the style this team plays and with style Joerger has Willie playing.
If they wanted an old school 16 rebounds a game, then they should have kept Papagiannis. If they kept him and parked him in the paint and gave him Willie’s minutes he would probably average 12 points and 15 rebounds and 2 or 3 blocks a game. What do you think the Kings record would be right now with Papa as the starting center instead of Willie?
Stats (Current as of 11/15) from:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/
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