CLEVELAND – The conversation was pertaining to Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel when coach Rick Carlisle started explaining the virtues of being a great rebounder.
“If you get a rebound every two minutes, you’re in the category of the all-time greats,” Carlisle said. “That’s a really high number. I don’t know if (Nerlens is) at that number.”
No, Noel is not at that number. But his 5.6 rebound average in 15.7 minutes per game doesn’t put him too far behind the standard Carlisle provided.
It’s a standard Noel himself adheres to. And it’s a standard he almost achieved in his last three games when he collected 30 rebounds in 72 minutes.