Rebounding has always been one of the most important aspects of a defender's game. The ability to grab offensive or defensive rebounds is paramount and continues to be a valued commodity in today's game. Elite players do it consistently on both ends of the floor. This coupled with the ability to get buckets at the other end makes you a top two-way player. Very few players can record a double-double in a game and even fewer can record a 20-point 20-rebound game.
Having a strong, reliable defense is what great championship-caliber teams are made of. You might have off nights offensively but if you're defensively locked-in, then you have a better chance of winning the game.
The likes of Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are players who dominate boards on both the ends of the floor while having a heavy night scoring. However, they do not make this list of players with the most 20-point 20-rebound games in the last decade.
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#5 Karl-Anthony Towns - 12 games
One of the best centers in the league, Karl-Anthony Towns has been the pillar around which the Minnesota Timberwolves are building around. Standing at 6'11, the center is unmatched near the post and continues to be an absolute monster near the rim on both the ends of the floor.
Drafted as the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Timberwolves, Towns has been a consistent rock for the franchise. Averaging 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc, the center has continued his magnificent form.
The 12 games where he's recorded this feat has come against top oppositions with the likes of Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors all being on the receiving end.
#4 Kevin Love - 15 games
After Kyrie Irving and LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was up to Kevin Love to carry the mantle for the franchise. He is averaging 17.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 38.1% from the range.
However, all his 15 games where he recorded a 20-points and 20-rebounds came when he was representing the Minnesota Timberwolves. Drafted in 2008 by the Timberwolves as the fifth overall pick, Love averaged 19.2 points and 12.2 rebounds in six seasons. The performances came against the likes of Lakers, Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, etc. His best performance came against the Warriors in 2011, when he dropped 37 points and grabbed 23 rebounds.
The forward continues to be one of the most underrated players in the league and played a pivotal role in the 2016 NBA Championship victory for the Cavaliers.
#3 DeMarcus Cousins - 16 games
Number third on the list with the most games recording 20 points and 20 rebounds is DeMarcus Cousins. Nicknamed "Boogie", Cousins has had an injury-hit career. He is one of those players who is nearly unstoppable when fully fit but struggles to stay fit.
Drafted by the Sacramento Kings as the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins immediately hit the ground running as he averaged 14.1 points, and 8.6 rebounds in his first season with the Kings. His ability from the range got better as the season went along and soon became a genuine threat from beyond the arc. He was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans a couple of seasons later.
The 16 games where Boogie recorded over 20 points and 20 rebounds came for both the Kings and the Pelicans. His best performance of the lot came for the Pelicans in a win against the Chicago Bulls where he dropped 44 points, 23 rebounds, and 10 assists.
#2 Dwight Howard - 25 games
One of the best defensive players of all time, Dwight Howard was a sheer force of nature in his heyday. Now, he's not the same force but he continues to provide a valuable contribution to the team. His defensive prowess has never been in question and offensively he seems to be finding buckets regularly.
Drafted as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft, Howard was a force to be reckoned with during his time with Orlando. You could argue that he was the best player in the world during that time. The center averaged 18.4 points and 13 rebounds during his eight years with the franchise. He was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year in his years with Magic.
He then had stints with multiple teams as injuries hampered his career. The 25 games where he recorded over 20 points and 20 rebounds were against top opposition like Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, etc. One of his best performances came against the Warriors where he dropped 45 points and grabbed 23 rebounds.
#1 Andre Drummond - 41 games
Arguably one of the best defensive players of the last decade, Andre Drummond has been a consistent rock for the Detroit Pistons since his debut. Drafted as the ninth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Pistons, Drummond quickly established himself as one of the best rebounders in the game.
The center was the lone consistent performer for the Pistons as they failed to build around him and toiled near the bottom of the league year after year. His record of 41 games where he scored 20 points and grabbed 20 or more rebounds came against the likes of Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, etc. Drummond's best performance came in a win against the Indiana Pacers where he scored 32 points and 23 rebounds.
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