Rebounding is being valued less than ever, not only by the Toronto Raptors but by the league as a whole. Defensively, teams are focussed on what players can guard their position, defend the pick-and-roll, and chase around today’s premier shooters. Offensively, teams have essentially given up on the glass. Last season we saw 10.3 offensive rebounds per 100 possessions. In 1998, that number was 14.3.
Many of the trade-offs make sense. Having a power forward who can space the floor is typically more important than having one who can crash the glass; offensive rebounds are being abandoned to slow down opponents pace; with the uptick in three-point shooting, you need to have players who can hang around the perimeter.