Alfonzo McKinnie is a really, really good rebounder.
One could even use the word "elite" when discussing that aspect of his game.
Per 36 minutes, McKinnie is averaging nine boards per contest -- good for second on the Warriors behind Kevon Looney (10.2).
"He's a tremdenous athlete. He's got good length and great leaping ability," Steve Kerr said Wednesday night on 95.7 The Game. "And he just has a knack for the ball, particularly on the offensive glass."
But is there something else that gives McKinnie an edge on the glass? Is there some secret sauce?
"He happens to be playing in an era, frankly, where nobody boxes out," Kerr explained. "Shot goes up -- and in every game that I watch on League Pass, our own games -- shot goes up and all the eyes just go up to the ball and follow the ball and nobody turns and boxes out.
"Alfonzo does a great job of just finding those seams and running right past people and going up and getting rebounds, getting us extra possessions."
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Arguably the main reason McKinnie earned a roster spot with Golden State was because he did things like this during the exhibition season:
Alfonzo McKinnie (who entered the game before Danuel House) with the nice offensive rebound and finish = a smile on Steve Kerr's face (which didn't happen much tonight) pic.twitter.com/LIp9N1cdvh— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) October 11, 2018
Gotta love the way Alfonzo McKinnie goes up and snatches the rebound pic.twitter.com/P8sLy2LXqv— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) October 13, 2018
And here are some examples of McKinnie wreaking havoc on the offensive glass throughout the regular season:
It wouldn't be a Warriors game without an offensive rebound + layup for Alfonzo McKinnie pic.twitter.com/xH5PHamNsN— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) November 6, 2018
Alfonzo McKinnie got his contract guaranteed yesterday, and celebrated by destroying the rim right here pic.twitter.com/Q9gR9evVQX— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) January 9, 2019
Alfonzo McKinnie gets a defensive rebound in traffic and then gets an offensive rebound + the putback. Big sequence pic.twitter.com/0gObzKaZe8— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) March 19, 2019
Welcome back Alfonzo McKinnie (the Warriors certainly missed his energy and offensive rebounding) pic.twitter.com/huGFStGjHW— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) December 6, 2018
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There will be playoff games in which McKinnie doesn't play a minute. And there will probably be some playoff games in which McKinnie outworks the opponent and grabs some huge rebounds in key moments.
"He's been a great, great story for us," Kerr said. "A great kid, wonderful to coach and getting better too. I couldn't be happier for him."