The Complete Compilation of Kevin McHale's Greatest Stories Told By NBA Players & Legends

[@texasturner2313]

The starting line up for the Boston Celtics consisting of Mchale, Bird, Ange, Johnson, and Parish played “Team Ball” and were one of the best at it. They were a legendary team.

[@williambyham3674]

! ( As A Knick Fan )

[@texasturner2313]

@@williambyham3674 I hated them, but damn were they great ! (Houston Rocket Fan)

[@brandondrew4914]

One of the best teams off all time.

[@madhatter3640]

​​@@texasturner2313 as a Celtics fan I loved every minute of it

[@hubertsang7418]

Like they say in portuguese about Pele's soccer: jogo bonito ( beautiful game ). In basketball, the 1986 celtics played the JOGO BONITO DO BASQUETEBOL.

[@stevenboldt6489]

The frontcourt of Parish, Bird and McHale with Walton coming off the bench was insanely good in 1986.

[@beware63]

Untouchable...

[@dusk6159]

No wonder Sir Charles respects them and McHale so much

[@williegordon9188]

Even Kareem couldn't handle McHale.

[@dusk6159]

@@williegordon9188 McHale best pivot move ever!

[@davidcorriveau8615]

@@dusk6159 The really insane thing was until he broke a foot (?) and played on it in the 1987 Playoffs he was frequently on the NBA All Defensive Team. He healed up enough that his offensive game recovered but after the Injury he never made All Defensive First Team again, he had lost some mobility and defensively was never quite as good again.

[@kayodephillips5435]

I'm a big Lakers fan since 81 but I respect Kevin McHale

[@scottrackley4457]

Same. Used to love it when Worthy and McHale guarded each other in the post and went at it. Masterclass.

[@ABock4]

One of my favorite players ever. As the Boston fans used to say, “Thank heaven for Kevin!”

[@NickSmithNBA]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@leoderosia9279]

A healthy Bird, McHale, parish with bias in 1987 would've been unbelievable

[@ruminator3570]

Then add on Reggie Lewis Danny ainge Dennis Johnson Brian Shaw D Brown and Kevin Gamble.

[@tim.noonan]

As a Celtics fan this legitimately hurts to think about

[@leoderosia9279]

@@tim.noonan Michael Cooper said that the Celtics would've beat Lakers ass with bias , I was 21 in 1986 and it was horrible day when he died ...it really ended a dynasty that went from 57 to 86

[@bensillyfools7274]

So true… Bias was the real deal. It took Boston a long time to recover from that tragedy.

[@BadTV1993]

@@bensillyfools7274 Lewis was no slouch either..rest in peace to Bias brothers (Len & Jay) & Reggie Lewis

[@michaelragnanese]

Probably the most complete power forward to ever play the game. It's a shame Keven McHale style of basketball is no longer part of the game because of 3 pt play

[@zacharygutshall8452]

Couldn't agree more. I do like the 3 pt shot nba. But people don't appreciate great post players

[@monolithgeometry3221]

@@zacharygutshall8452 You like things that ruin the very fabric of the game ,DO YA!?!? A 3pt line that stagnates offensive penetration and FLOW!? In a league where you can't touch a jumpsooter. Yo, that shit is trash and only an ignorant, soft, unimaginative cad would think that's the way the game is supposed to be played. Not you, I'm saying that about ..others

[@mrbecrazy6684]

He'd probably shit on today's weak league and small ball. I don't believe in three point NBA because soon as a Shaq or wilt like player comes that cannot be stopped by anyone in today's league then you'll see. They'd be forced to make fifty percent from three just to compete against a dominant player like that. Let's just say dramond green isn't guarding them type of monsters. Then multiple players have to rotate and contain a player like that which leaves to an open three. Fundamentals and defense wins titles. No one allowed to play d anymore though.

[@andybilakshow260]

Three point line, right. I liked it back in the 80's but today it takes away from the "exciting" one on one. IMHO, if the 3 line is there to stay, the gap between players has to shrink somehow. Maybe shrink the court length by 10 -15 ' which would put each line closer to mid court. Or.... Have a 6th position. A long range defender. That's all I got for now

[@gwynedd1]

I used to play on the play ground, and a lot of time after work the 3 of us would be on our own and it was more or less 2 people D against 1. Not going to get much close to the rim unless you had some options. So I would hook to my right and turn around to my left. It was a post game. If I had to shoot from 3 point land all the time, most days I would build a brick shit house. In a 5 on 5 not many had any idea about any post game. Most of the time I would do it off rebound. if I went near the post i was "not open" . But one day I saw another guy posting up and i knew exactly what he wanted to do, so I kept feeding him the ball and he kept scoring. So yeah I certainly like that style of play . How much more fun is it to watch Mchale play like a Swiss amy knife than it is to watch the same jump shot over and over again?

[@clevisbernier8973]

They call boxing the 'sweet science', but Kevin brought that Science to the post. For every move, he had 3-4 counters, and if he reads you right there's NOTHING you could do. Truly a mastermind of the game.

[@unclefido6484]

A Beast! The worst thing a team could do is triple team him! Because that's when he shined!

[@tommydreamer7805]

I always wanted to learn about him I feel like people don’t talk about him enough

[@Barnabus007]

Best low post moves of alltime. 2nd is Olajuwon

[@quintfl]

We were busy watching Larry Bird

[@raymondlangdon9637]

Yeah McHale is a beast in the post

[@Barnabus007]

@@quintfl I get it...and remember, but c"min Gary what about the underrated like Chief

[@Barnabus007]

@@raymondlangdon9637 Yeah man i honestly wonder why modern dudes dont study him or call him in the offseason for help

[@berniezarsoff1614]

I've only recently discovered your channel, along with a few others, as I have some free time on my hands. I appreciate the lengths you go to in order to get these videos online for us to watch. A sincere thank you for doing all of this, it's much appreciated.

[@Mr.Memphis10]

Excellent content! Kevin "A Man Of Thousand Moves" McHale definitely one of the great ones.

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks John!

[@andybilakshow260]

NICE scope on Mchale. He deserves recognition. Same as so many from this era. If 3 or 4 'legends' talk about them, they should be here. THANKS

[@billbriefcase2035]

Great work Nick Smith... Kevin Mchale is a superstar hall of famer but also a good, kind, funny man and the best teammate a team could ever play with...

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks for watching!

[@joeteixeira5214]

@@NickSmithNBAT

[@beware63]

Keep on truckin brothah. Most folks dont realize who bill briefcase really is. Thank you for your contributions to basketball. 86 team is iconic.

[@donolinger6904]

​@@beware63 - Is it Walton?

[@nathanc30]

​@@beware63who is he?

[@danabogue1804]

Absolutely, my ALL-TIME FAVORITE NBA player! I typed in 'THE BEST POST PLAYER EVER", Kevin McHale's name was THE FIRST name on the list! He could split a TRIPLE TEAM, score AND get fouled! NO ONE before or since moved like Kevin McHale in the post! God, I miss the NBA of the 1980s!!!!!!!

[@NickSmithNBA]

Love it

[@michaeltorres5331]

He was awesome but Hakeem was better by far

[@williambyham3674]

!

[@nathanc30]

​@@michaeltorres5331not " by far" . 25ppg 8.5rpg 2.5bpg vs Hakeem on 68%>> all around game Hakeem yes but on the block they both cooked everyone they came against including each other. Mchale did better than Shaq did in 1995.

[@zd3365]

I *adored* Kevin McHale and the seasons he played. I miss these 80s Celtics, I miss how the game was played then vs now. This is a great insight, especially the practice video/behind the scenes. And Ainge really was the little brother LOL.

[@davidmullens7565]

McHale is one of the most underrated great players ever

[@robertanderson9375]

Kevin was never underrated. Not by anyone who knows the game. Underrated is an overused term

[@ericstanford4117]

​@@robertanderson9375Kevin is underrated.. Even those who knows the game very rarely mentions his name.. Let's be honest when talking about power forwards or just forwards period Kevin McHale's name hardly comes up.. Ppl mention Bird, Lebron, Wilkins, Duncan, Malone, Barkley, Garnett, Worthy, etc before McHale.. So I understand your premise but in this case Kevin McHale's very underrated... Great great player..

[@gregoryjanuszczak4250]

Great production my friend - Thanks. I've been a piston fan since the 60's. We all knew kevin was (expletive deleted) Dangerous.

[@jamesroof6150]

Moved to Boston Larry Bird's rookie season. Being from NYC area I was no fan of the Celtics. But I became a fan of Larry Bird and when McHale came on the scene that team was phenomenal to watch. McHale was one great player on a team filled with great players. Dennis Johnson was so key in that mix too, and The Chief. One of the greatest teams I ever saw play the game of basketball.

[@bugs8484]

Thanks for mentioning Dennis. He did all the little things that don't get talked about that makes teams better.

[@jamesroof6150]

@@bugs8484 DJ belongs in HOF. Celtics in that era would not be as dominant without him.

[@juniorjohnson9509]

@@bugs8484 DJ was probably THE key player who made it possible for the others to score - bullet fast, pin-point passes, fast hands, and the ability to know exactly what Bird or McHale was going to do. No idea why he never got the acclaim that those 2 got, but he definitely deserved the same amount.

[@williamwhalen29]

@@jamesroof6150 he was elected into HOF in 2010, sadly 3 years after he passed away.

[@mikes3827]

@@jamesroof6150 IMO, I don't know of two players that were as in sync with one another as Larry Bird and Dennis Johnson. I dunno if I'd say DJ was underrated, but I don't believe he got as high a praise as DJ deserved to get.

[@jonmccormick9806]

Parish and McHale both had freaky long arms. McHale was an excellent outside shooter especially later when his mobility was limited. Kevin McHale's retirement at Boston Garden was probably the best ever.

[@williegordon9188]

When McHale started hitting 3 pointers he really became dangerous.

[@gwynedd1]

Yeah the Celtics really kind of cut short from injuries. Both McHale and Bird really had 2/3s of a career. Had they been healthy The Bulls probably would have been trying to go through them and maybe not even making it one of those years.

[@edwells4769]

@@gwynedd1 that and Bias' death.

[@raymondlangdon9637]

Great video and yeah McHale is certainly overlooked and underrated by a majority of today's fans

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks!

[@patriciamccormick9321]

Thanks for this!! McHale is one of my all time favorite players.

[@NickSmithNBA]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@kingbenjamin22]

Such an underrated superstar. I grew up watching McHale, Bird and the Chief, and I can truly say that was the most unselfish basketball I ever saw.

[@joeg9810]

From New Hampshire so die-hard Celtics fan. I watched them as often as I could, then moved to WA state in '77. I was able to see these guys on a regular basis in Seattle which also made me a big DJ fan. Kevin was an awesome player with amazing low post moves that as a short guard I even tried to use when getting stuck under the hoop.

[@prescriptionexercise3899]

Wilt Chamberlain, Artis Gilmore, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin McHale, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight Howard, and Charles Barkley. That’s it, 7 players who have averaged 20+ppg on 60% shooting in the SAME season. McHale is the only one who also shot over 80% from the FT line in that same season. Very exclusive company in the 76 year history of the NBA/BAA.

[@Zaghzackio]

Made me smile when I saw McHale had that 56 on Bill Laimbeer 😂

[@davidnelson6874]

He’s one of the all time great characters of the game and an incredible player.

[@3.75istheway7]

He was so good, the perfect compliment to Larry!

[@alejandrohits5066]

Outside of Hakeem, the best footwork I've ever witnessed on the court.

[@jackson5781]

He taught Hakeem

[@lukeconverse6632]

My 5th favorite player all time. I grew up being able to watch the best era and greatest team in nba history, and besides Larry, DJ, Chief, and all the others, Mc Hale was great to watch

[@delfinabad4367]

McHale and Olajuwon two of the greatest low post players of the game

[@NickSmithNBA]

No doubt!

[@michaelcortright5525]

​@@NickSmithNBAKareem has easily the most unstoppable move of all time.

[@shawnwoloschuk4445]

Love your channel young man

[@sugarnads]

Loved watching mchale play. Bro was a beast in the low post

[@spg1026]

Great collection of stories. I was pleasantly surprised at how many I had never seen. I think this was the first I’ve seen from this channel, but it won’t be the last.

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thank you Sean!

[@JoeSmith-ey2xp]

Best low post player I ever saw, this from a Pistons fan.

[@teresavicario5848]

Thank you! This was really fun.

[@3.75istheway7]

Charles is so correct when you talk about his down low moves

[@kenallen4175]

He was SO good!

[@orlandowoodson7978]

Tremendous work I truly enjoyed the Walton vs McHale stories

[@NickSmithNBA]

How good!

[@daerth4423]

The guy has a freak build to him. Literally like he was designed to play basketball. One of the all time greats.

[@FredDamnRock]

Thanks for this man. That Bill Walton Story is GOLD. Mentorship.

[@NickSmithNBA]

Appreciate it!

[@arlichar11]

if kevin played somewhere else he would of been the man on that team. dominating even more.. he even said, yeah i could of scored more another team, but wouldnt have had as much fun ...

[@thomasopdahl1873]

True story. Minn. gophers were heading out on a bus and McHale hadn't arrived. The coach was fuming and Kevin came running up the street wearing a new cowboy hat he'd been shopping for. The coach just shook his head and they left late and chuckling.

[@ThunderPants13]

Kevin played against the 2 skyscraper ringers from Gary's Olde Towne Tavern and totally dominated.

[@mjcaillan7018]

I don't know a lot about their generation but i have always loved Larry Bird when we talk about Celtics, but now i have more respect for Kevin McHale. Another amazing video! 😁

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed

[@juniorjohnson9509]

Go watch the Celtics game from that era - you will be forever spoiled after seeing how intense the games were of that era.

[@mjcaillan7018]

@@juniorjohnson9509 will do

[@24keng]

Great work man!!!!!! Go!!!! 🍀

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks!!

[@rdubb77]

Winning the generic lottery, then still perfecting the low post craft: McHale

[@artboston4787]

Magic Johnson has spoken highly of Kevin McHale numerous times over the years. When he did play by play work for NBC in the 90's he would often make McHale references during the game whenever someone would make a McHale esque type play. Too bad there wasn't any Magic commentary included in this video.

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

What if? Kevin hadn’t broken his foot? He was brilliant on both ends of the court.

[@0willow0]

Same with Walton 0.0 Injuries suck

[@CrisEX420]

Kevin McHale is super underrated.

[@kelkelkelkel851]

I 100% agree although he is hall of famer

[@travisbicklesmohawk7069]

Here's a wacky fact: Kevin McHale and Bob Dylan are both from Hibbing, MN. Pop:20,000. The mining company spared no expense when they built the town a new high school back in the day, complete with marble and granite walls and floors and a ridiculously ornate olympic size pool.

[@kevingumfory]

Mr McHale ! To hear what Doc and Chuck have to say wraps it up for me. Never let us down ! "If you didn't play for Boston you didn't play basketball".

[@charlesdavis7461]

Kevin McHale was outstanding, and such a nice guy.

[@Motoicon]

I had no idea Kevin was so well respected....Total shock to hear Barkley say he was the best player he ever played against...

[@juniorjohnson9509]

Not a shock at all for those of us who were lucky enough to watch those games in person - McHale would get Barkley so damn frustrated. It was hilarious to watch.

[@rebelwithacause3574]

He was the 'rubber band man' He was unique AF!

[@irishgrl]

Nice to see Kevin get his flowers 💐

[@spencergray9315]

I came here because Kevin Garnett just told an AMAZING McHale story that made me want to watch his highlights

[@davidcorriveau8615]

Best Line evah about Kevin McHale was by Danny Ainge (teammate (guard), All-Star Player, Later NBA Coach and GM). 'He's like a Black Hole. If you throw the ball in, it never comes back out.' This was absolutely true; course when your shooting percentage is hovering around 70% and you routinely score against triple teams you can get away with that...

[@julianmarsh1378]

Larry once said that if Kevin worked harder, he could be the best player in the NBA....

[@sardonicus76]

I really believed the Celtics were going to repeat in ‘87. They had essentially the same squad from ‘86 that had just run roughshod over the entire league. By the time the playoffs rolled around, everyone was hurt. Walton was in street clothes for the duration. DJ and Chief were diminished due to late season injuries. When McHale broke his foot, I knew it was over. He was never the same player, again. That comment by Bird was a backhanded compliment. Bird was the undisputed alpha and he fully embraced it. But, I believe it actually bothered him, knowing that there was a guy on his team who could legitimately challenge him for that role and (for whatever reason) didn’t.

[@jingqi9106]

Kevin McHale was the best power forward on the low block ever. McHale had more moves than U-Haul.

[@toddjohnson271]

Pistons fan.....McHale was a beast.

[@OrionOodama]

What goes around, comes around. Kent Benson is one of those college greats whose greatness was never transitioned to NBA. Benson's bossy ways at Indiana made Larry Bird decide to play at Indiana State instead. Bird found a great ally in Kevin McHale to make even.

[@zrx12gs650g]

Great stuff, learned somethings I didn't know about Kevin! 👍

[@NickSmithNBA]

Happy to hear!

[@raveouscarlias4479]

Unfortunately both Bird AND McHale had injury problems that drastically shortened their careers. McHale would definitely be up more on the conversation of greatest PF of all time had he been able to play longer. That said, I'd still take Duncan because Duncan was just a better defender for sure. But no other PF TORTURED opponents with their post moves like he did. Double team him? Doesn't matter. Dude had a great bag of moves and great touch around the rim. Props to McHale. He will always live under Larry's shadow but that is just a testament to how great Larry was.

[@duquettebeats6312]

The chief the business the legend. One of the best trio ever assembled.

[@MultiEviscerator]

Great Video

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks 🙏

[@derickwilliams8660]

THE FIRST BIG THREE THE LEGEND THE CHIEF AND THE MONSTER!!! WHAT A FRONT COURT!!!

[@NickSmithNBA]

Agreed!

[@TheCenteroftheUniverse]

We went entire seasons watching almost every important game on free TV and expected a "W" every time. Every single game. The end of this past season ('21-'22) gave fans of the Green a tiny taste of what those Bird McHale Parish clubs were like.

[@DreFlows]

Legendary content here keep it going!

[@NickSmithNBA]

Appreciate it!

[@clarktownsend8991]

Greatest post player in the history of the NBA.

[@jonw.3886]

I was in high school and remember other kids that were Lakers or 76ers fans saying how much they hated McHale. I think Barkley is overrated but hearing him say that McHale is the toughest guy he played against proves that the 76ers feared him back then. I can still hear "McHale with the basket and a foul" from the games back then.

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

That whole line up was crazy... The mid 80s eltics is probably the greatest team ever.

[@juniorjohnson9509]

I don't remember which game in the Finals it was, but in the 4th quarter, the Celtics had Bird, McHale, Walton, Parish, and, if I remember correctly, Ainge, on the floor for most of that period. To say that they cleaned the opposing teams clock is a massive understatement! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL basketball!

[@GaryHerm34]

Your videos are outstanding. How bout one on Moses Malone?

[@brandondrew4914]

I second that.

[@brandondrew4914]

I would like to see laimbeer too.

[@timpope1745]

McHale was a beast, on some of the most badass teams in the history of the leauge.

[@BadTV1993]

as a Pistons fan, it would kill me to see how frustrated McHale would get Laimbeer on the court..he would just give Bill fits

[@joeteixeira5214]

Great player,best post up player.

[@3.75istheway7]

MacHale had the greatest pivot foot game ever!

[@brandondrew4914]

Probably had to do with his arm length too

[@mvoulgaropoulos]

awesomely edited

[@natelav534]

I think Mchale would be talked about as much as the other legends if he didnt play right next to Bird during his prime. Perfect example is him breaking the scoring record in a single game. And the next week bird topped it.

[@williambyham3674]

Love It ! GREAT Acknowledgement !

[@crushing_the_losersof_the_7726]

The best thing about Kevin McHail was he was from Minnesota and Larry Legend was From Indiana two mid-western Guys Shining in the spotlight

[@orlanino]

A truly brilliant video!

[@zacharygutshall8452]

Love the video man

[@shinrips]

I always thought that Kevin McHale looked like Michael Sarazin, this actor from the early 70's.

[@johnmilligan2964]

I always loved watching McHale put opposing players in the torture chamber. He was amazing in the low post.

[@NickSmithNBA]

100%

[@shrapnel77]

One of the best low post players ever, just unstoppable at times. You do not see that today. He was fun to watch.

[@se461]

Loved those Celtics in the 80's! Mchale magic, Parish dominance, Bird the best team player, DJ's instinct and leadership and Ainge's petulance. Cornbread and all the others.

[@chrismoser9676]

"If you didn't play for the Celtics, you never played basketball" -Larty Bird ☺️

[@NHRebelsthoughts]

Great video

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks John

[@shawnwoloschuk4445]

I just heard an oldy say finish shorter, when the most physical of the NBA glad u bring back memories young stallion 🐎

[@warrenbaldwin6366]

Very well done. Some stories I'd never heard.

[@lordoffaiyum9727]

Best post player I ever seen.

[@pwk22]

Love Chuck's candor.

[@MrMasterChief38]

Man hes alot bigger and broader than i thought he was. people need to put some respect on his name, dont hear to much about McHale.

[@haydukethor]

loved watching michael, his moves though can’t stop it

[@naterewing]

Great video, much respect

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks!

[@stuartdamon3610]

I agree with Barkley. I Hated Him! Years later, nothing but Love and Respect. ❤️

[@Playsinvain]

I’m not an nba fan anymore, but this came on my feed. What a well put together video and a nice testimony to a unique pretzel from Minnesota

[@scottrackley4457]

I've only ever seen two players guard McHale. Olajuwon, and Worthy.

[@klfrostmediallc334]

I love the nickname “Lurch”

[@mathboy8188]

Experience of watching Celtics when McHale was "on": 1. McHale manages to have it in the low post. 2. The area near the basket becomes an swarm of moving bodies and heads and arms... so that exactly what's going on is hard to see under that human canopy of chaos. 3. After a few seconds, two white arms - with the basketball - somehow elevate out above that canopy of swarming chaos. (If that sounds like a scene from some horror movie, where a pair of skeletal arms burst out from the grave, then you have it absolutely right!) 4. A little flick... ball in the air, ball in the basket, 2 more points. 5. Rinse and repeat. Watching McHale was just an exercise in repeatedly asking _"How the hell did he get that shot off?"._ At his best, it felt a bit like watching Shaq - except instead of raw power it was like watching a rubbery octopus - but in both cases it was hard not to think _"This almost isn't even fair."_

[@Mrd9960]

I got his autograph in 1988, when i was 11, i went to a Celtics game with my father, great memory!

[@chinfuzzchet3616]

16:46 is incredible..his hands are on his knees. DR. J is not exaggerating!