[Mick]

Kuminga's going to have to learn to rebound. Neither Podziemski (8.8 rpg, led WCC), or Davis-Jackson (second in rebounding, 10.8 ppg) have as steep a learning curve. Kuminga actually averaged fewer rebounds per minute last season than he did the prior season. I don't get the sense that Kuminga wants to mix it up as much as the other two do.

After every game last year I checked Kuminga's rebounding numbers because it is so clearly obvious the key to his future is rebounding. My disappointment was legion.

On a related note, are any of you aware of a young player drastically increasing their rebounding numbers after two years of not doing much on the glass? As much as I like Wiseman's potential, his lack of rebounding numbers concerned me as well. My basic belief is you either have the mentality to be a rebounder or you don't. My concern is Kuminga just doesn't have it and never will, but remain hopeful he can get better at it.

Dennis Rodman did, going from 10.3 rebs. per 36 minutes, improving to 12.0 the next year, then jumping (no pun intended) to 16.7 at age 30 and 18.9 at age 33. Moses Malone improved early on.

Nate Thurmond had a brobdingnagian jump from year one to year two, then smaller increases the next few years. Bill Russell improved by 15% from rookie year to the next year, but he was already at 19 rpg his rookie year.

By contrast, Cliff Ray, Larry Smith and Rick Barry were flat through their careers, basically. And Joe Barely Cares steadily regressed -- not surprisingly.

[Mick]

Kuminga's going to have to learn to rebound. Neither Podziemski (8.8 rpg, led WCC), or Davis-Jackson (second in rebounding, 10.8 ppg) have as steep a learning curve. Kuminga actually averaged fewer rebounds per minute last season than he did the prior season. I don't get the sense that Kuminga wants to mix it up as much as the other two do.

After every game last year I checked Kuminga's rebounding numbers because it is so clearly obvious the key to his future is rebounding. My disappointment was legion.

On a related note, are any of you aware of a young player drastically increasing their rebounding numbers after two years of not doing much on the glass? As much as I like Wiseman's potential, his lack of rebounding numbers concerned me as well. My basic belief is you either have the mentality to be a rebounder or you don't. My concern is Kuminga just doesn't have it and never will, but remain hopeful he can get better at it.

Dennis Rodman did, going from 10.3 rebs. per 36 minutes, improving to 12.0 the next year, then jumping (no pun intended) to 16.7 at age 30 and 18.9 at age 33. Moses Malone improved early on.

Nate Thurmond had a brobdingnagian jump from year one to year two, then smaller increases the next few years. Bill Russell improved by 15% from rookie year to the next year, but he was already at 19 rpg his rookie year.

By contrast, Cliff Ray, Larry Smith and Rick Barry were flat through their careers, basically. And Joe Barely Cares steadily regressed -- not surprisingly.