Charles Barkley , even years after retiring, has remained a dominant voice in NBA circles. Whether it's his unfiltered commentary that makes analysis more fun, his tales of battles with the legends of the game or his advice to the younger generation, Chuck's words carry significant weight. And when the topic turns to what part of basketball is truly the most valuable for forwards and big men to succeed, people listen even more closely.
"Rebounding. Rebounding got me to college and to the NBA. Sounds stupid, but the most valuable asset on the court is the ball. And if you get it more times than the other team. Whether it's defensive or offensive rebounding your team has got a better chance of winning," Barkley said in his recent appearance on the Rowan's Speaker Series.
"I look at two stats. Rebounding and turnovers are the two most important stats in basketball. If you don't turn it over and you get more rebounds on the defensive end and offensive end you are going to win, most of the time," he added. "If forwards are rebounding the ball, your team is going to be successful. That's my advice to all forwards. That got me to college and got me to the NBA."
Even though Barkley was technically listed at 6'6" — and some argue he might have been a bit shorter — he played with the heart of a giant. Chuck never shied away from diving into the paint, going toe-to-toe for every rebound against players who often stood a half-foot taller. That tenacity was evident even before he got to college, and as his game evolved, so did his mastery of the often-overlooked fundamentals.
During his three years at Auburn, Barkley averaged 9.6 rebounds in roughly 27.6 minutes per game. Once he entered the NBA, that skill only magnified. By his third season, he led the league in rebounds with 14.6 per game, leaving Hall of Famers like Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, and Charles Oakley in his rearview mirror in that department. Though he never claimed another rebounding title after that, securing boards became one of Barkley's defining traits and the very attribute that helped him dominate the league and earn millions over his career.
There's no doubt that some players in today's NBA put a premium on crashing the boards on every single possession. But the days when a player could make their career almost entirely on rebounding are long gone. Barkley's words serve as a reminder that in basketball, the small, gritty details matter. Continually outperforming opponents on the glass can tilt games and seasons in your favor. And if you add to that the taking care of the ball aspect, the results will come very quickly. Maybe not everyone will end up in the best basketball league in the world, but it will make the game easier and more enjoyable for those around.
Barkley's legacy is proof that dominance on the boards is both an art and a science. More importantly, it sets the tone for the rest of the squad to follow. And for forwards looking to leave a mark in the league, the lesson has never been clearer: control the glass, and you control the game.
They didn't call him the "Round Mound of Rebound" for nothing.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
