"Dwight can be as good a rebounder -- or better -- than anyone who ever has played this game," Guokas said. "He is right there with the best of them."

Howard, 22, is bidding to become the youngest player in history to win an NBA rebounding title, setting a standard that is changing the art of the craft. He already is the youngest player ever to reach the 1,000; 2,000; and 3,000-rebound plateaus in his career.

He is averaging a league-best 15.2 rebounds this season, preparing to face No. 2 Marcus Camby (14.3 rpg, Denver ), No. 3 Chris Kaman (14 rpg, LA Clippers) and No. 6 Carlos Boozer (11.4 rpg, Utah Jazz) on this week's West Coast trip.

'Natural to me'

Although he was passed by Garnett for the rebounding lead at midseason a year ago, Howard is unlikely to relinquish his perch this time. He is only getting stronger, recently coming off three consecutive games of at least 20 rebounds, a feat last accomplished in the NBA by Ben Wallace in 2003.

"Rebounding always has been something that comes natural to me," Howard said. "I think it's just a matter of wanting to get every rebound out there. I don't think there is a lot of technique. It's just going after -- and getting -- the ball."

Although Howard makes it sound simple, rebounding is not as simple as it sounds, which is why there are so few great rebounders in the game today. It's anticipation, power and positioning. It's heart and desire. It's instinct and will power and guile.

It's one of the more thankless, yet critical jobs on a basketball court.

"There are nine [other] guys on the floor, and any one of them is capable of getting the rebound," said Wallace, who won two rebounding titles earlier in his career in Detroit . "The guy who gets it, though, usually is just the guy who wants it the most. Yes, it's about positioning and technique and all that. But for me, it's just who wants it the most."

Through the years, rebounders have been like the auto mechanics on a race car team. They are the construction workers for the architects who design the buildings. They are the drummers who keep the rhythm for the band.

"If you're a coach, the rebounder might be the most valuable guy you have," said veteran coach Chuck Daly, who won two NBA titles in Detroit with Rodman on his side.

All about desire

Through the years, the great rebounders have come in all shapes and sizes, using different techniques to excel. Everyone, though, has shared one common trait -- the want.

"There are a bunch of traits you need," said New Jersey Nets Coach Lawrence Frank. "But the thing that really separates the average rebounder, the good rebounder, from the great rebounder is the unbelievable willingness, the passion, the commitment to go after every ball, and do whatever it takes to get it. Only a few have that."

Barkley, who was short (6 feet 6) for a rebounder, was tremendous at tipping the ball, then grabbing it on his second or third jump, something many of his opponents couldn't do. Malone often used that same style, and he loved to rebound. Rodman was both relentless and crafty.

Wes Unseld couldn't jump, but he used his body to make sure no one else around him did either to get a rebound. Bill Laimbeer won a rebounding title one season without leaving the floor.

Chamberlain and Russell were just so much better than anyone else in their era that they made it look easy, compiling statistics that never will be matched.

Chamberlain averaged 27.0 rebounds when he won the first of his 11 rebounding titles. He averaged 27.2 rebounds the following season. He had 55 rebounds in one game.

Russell, who served as his rival, once had 32 rebounds in a half. He won just four rebounding titles because he was too busy winning championships to focus on rebounding. In his best year, he averaged 24.7 rebounds.

Rodman helped win championships in Detroit and in Chicago . He won the NBA rebounding title seven consecutive years (1992-98), and he retired with a career average of 13.1 rebounds. Yet there was little else to his game. He rarely scored. He didn't block many shots.

Garnett has won the last four rebounding titles, growing into one of the game's finest all-around players. His rebounding is down this season, his first in Boston , but he has elevated the Celtics into serious title contenders.

"Wilt was just physically phenomenal. I would argue with anyone that he was probably the best athlete of the 20th century," said Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy. "He had such great athleticism, size, hands, strength and everything else. To get 55 rebounds in a game is just astounding. That's not going to happen again."

Howard has grabbed at least 20 rebounds 17 times in his career, including seven times this season. His career high is 26, and 30 looks within his grasp. Chamberlain and Russell's numbers are inflated by the era, where the average number of shots taken in a game were considerably higher than today.

"Wilt just wasn't challenged like guys are today," Guokas said. "And he never left the lane. He wasn't out defending pick-and-rolls like Dwight is now. So the numbers then were a little bit funny."

The complete package

As great of an all-around athlete as Chamberlain was, Howard shares that kind of athleticism. He is 6 feet 11, 270 pounds with a wingspan of 7 feet 8. He has a vertical leap of 38 inches.

He has both the power and finesse, a complete package that neither Garnett nor Wallace -- who combined to win the previous six rebounding titles -- can match.

"Dwight Howard is so quick, big, and active. He's young, athletic and exactly what a big powerful basketball ball player is supposed to look like," said Bulls interim coach Jim Boylan. "Every time you see him, he looks bigger and better. He's kind of scary."

Chamberlain and Russell were older, 23 and 24, respectively, when they won their first rebounding titles because they played first in college, which Howard didn't do.

The youngest ever to win a title was Dolph Schayes of Syracuse . He was 22 years and 226 days when the 1950-51 season ended and he was averaging 16.4 rebounds.

If Howard wins the title this season, he also will be 22, but with only 130 days toward his 23rd birthday.

He already has learned many of the rebounding tricks, the holding off or holding down opponents seeking the same rebound, using the arms, legs and butt to make it happen. He naturally had the dexterity to jump off either foot and the required relentlessness it takes.

"He's only getting better," said veteran teammate Keyon Dooling. "Before it's over, he'll go down as one of the greatest rebounders in history."

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