The most technically skilled post player in basketball history — three-time champion with the Celtics.
Kevin Edward McHale was born in Hibbing, Minnesota in 1957. Boston Celtics selected him third overall in the 1980 NBA Draft — the same year they traded for Robert Parish. His 13-season career produced three championships (1981, 1984, 1986), seven All-Star appearances and the Sixth Man of the Year award twice (1984, 1985). He was named to the Hall of Fame in 1999 and the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. He averaged 17.9 points per game. His post moves — a library of fakes, counters and footwork sequences that opponents could study and still could not stop — are considered the most complete individual post offensive repertoire in basketball history. His combination of long arms, soft hands, footwork and basketball intelligence made him the standard against which all post players are measured. He played through a broken foot in the 1987 playoffs — a decision that caused permanent damage but reflected competitive intensity. He later served as general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves and head coach of the Houston Rockets. His 1986 season — when the Celtics won 67 games — is considered one of the finest individual seasons by a big man.
Post moves, hook shot, defensive prowess
How They Played
Low-post scorer with exceptional footwork and length
Lasting Impact
Celtics legend, Hall of Famer, one of greatest power forwards
NBA Champion 3x (1981,1984,1986)
Career Honours
- NBA Champion 3x (1981,1984,1986)
- All-Star 7x
- All-NBA First Team
- Sixth Man of Year 2x
- Hall of Fame (1999)
- NBA 50th Anniversary Team