How would McHale fare in today's game?

[Eddie20]

Anyone have access to this? It's through ESPN insider.


http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story?id=7122706&_slug_=how-kevin-mchale-fare-today-nba&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fstory%3fid%3d7122706%26_slug_%3dhow-kevin-mchale-fare-today-nba

With his Boston Celtics struggling during the 1999-2000 season, coach Rick Pitino famously ranted to reporters that Kevin McHale, along with fellow Celtics legends Larry Bird and Robert Parish, was not "walking through that door." But what if he was?

In the latest edition of "What if they played now?" we imagine that McHale was taken by Boston in the 1998 NBA draft, when the Celtics actually added cornerstone Paul Pierce. In such a scenario, McHale likely would not have done enough to save Pitino's job, but he could have filled a key role on a Boston championship team for a new generation.

Here's what McHale's stat lines might look like in the modern NBA:

 To see how Kevin McHale's stats would translate to today's game, become an ESPN Insider.

[Roy H.]

I don't have insider.  However, I think McHale would have a Duncan-like impact in today's game.  He'd be the most dominant offensive big man in the NBA, I think, and he'd be the best one-on-one post defender in the NBA.  I think his rebounding would also improve, assuming his front court running makes weren't on the level of Parish and Bird.

[Eddie20]

I don't have insider.  However, I think McHale would have a Duncan-like impact in today's game.  He'd be the most dominant offensive big man in the NBA, I think, and he'd be the best one-on-one post defender in the NBA.  I think his rebounding would also improve, assuming his front court running makes weren't on the level of Parish and Bird.

Agreed. Also, we can't just assume McHale's body in today's NBA would look the same as it did in the 80's. With the strength and functional training of today, plus the better awareness of nutrition, McHale would likely be able to get more out of his natural athletic ability. I always think of this in how it relates to Bird. How would he have improved athletically? Would his body have lasted a few more years?

[Inside-Out]

McHale could play in any era, IMO.  He had the extremely rare combination of:

size
quickness (in moves to the hoop)
shooting range (esp. later in career)
incredible instincts around the hoop
vision and passing

I'd love to read the article (but not enough to "become an insider") to get the projected numbers, but no question he'd be an all star today, again IMO.

And I love that he refers to LB as "Birdie." Cracks me up.

[Eddie20]

McHale could play in any era, IMO.  He had the extremely rare combination of:

size
quickness (in moves to the hoop)
shooting range (esp. later in career)
incredible instincts around the hoop
vision and passing

I'd love to read the article (but not enough to "become an insider") to get the projected numbers, but no question he'd be an all star today, again IMO.

And I love that he refers to LB as "Birdie." Cracks me up.

His FT's were also very good to excellent for a big man.

I don't know about the passing though. Ainge didn't coin him the "black hole" for nothing.

[Army_of_One_Nation]

His basketball fundamentals are pretty good, too. Better than most big men, nowadays.

[Inside-Out]

McHale could play in any era, IMO.  He had the extremely rare combination of:

size
quickness (in moves to the hoop)
shooting range (esp. later in career)
incredible instincts around the hoop
vision and passing

I'd love to read the article (but not enough to "become an insider") to get the projected numbers, but no question he'd be an all star today, again IMO.

And I love that he refers to LB as "Birdie." Cracks me up.

His FT's were also very good to excellent for a big man.

I don't know about the passing though. Ainge didn't coin him the "black hole" for nothing.

His passing was actually pretty impressive, especially for a big man.  He'd be one of the top-3 passing big men around, IMO, though he didn't try to be a playmaker like Divac.

McHale was great at hitting cutters when he was bumped a step out on the baseline, usually to a moving Bird, and also passing out of the frequent double teams.

It's important to keep Ainge's comments in perspective, too: that was one of the biggest trash-talking teams in the history of competitive sports.  As much of a kidder as McHale is, there's no question Ainge was going to come up with something to call him.

[Donoghus]

McHale would be ridiculously nasty in today's NBA game.

His fundamentals would go so far in today's game.

[Eja117]

He'd turn KG into his personal towel boy

[Redz]

I don't have insider.  However, I think McHale would have a Duncan-like impact in today's game.  He'd be the most dominant offensive big man in the NBA, I think, and he'd be the best one-on-one post defender in the NBA.  I think his rebounding would also improve, assuming his front court running makes weren't on the level of Parish and Bird.

I think he'd be more of an offense force than Tim Duncan though.  As great as Duncan is, he's never really been what you'd call a true scorer. As remarkably efficient as he's been, his career high per game is 25 and he's been at 20 or below the last 7 seasons (way under at 13.8 this past year).

McHale had a ton more moves than Duncan.  I look at how easily Al Jefferson can score when he's on as more of an indicator of how much McHale would dominate on offense.  Those little dipsy-doo moves would be killer.

[BASS_THUMPER]

He'd turn KG into his personal towel boy

wash your mouth out with soap!!

*drankin*

[Celtics17]

Come now fellow posters, surely you aren't aware of how athletic players are today in comparison to the players of McHale's era? Ok, enough sarcasm but I couldnt resist.

McHale would tear today's league apart! I'm trying to think of a power forward who could guard him and fortunaely for the Celtic's that player is already on our team in KG. I still say if it weren't for an injury he would have been the best player in the game in 86. Was it here I read where a reporter said that year that Bird was the best player in the league and the sedond best player in the game? That's how good McHale was.

[greg_kite]

McHale could play in any era, IMO.  He had the extremely rare combination of:

size
quickness (in moves to the hoop)
shooting range (esp. later in career)
incredible instincts around the hoop
vision and passing

I'd love to read the article (but not enough to "become an insider") to get the projected numbers, but no question he'd be an all star today, again IMO.

And I love that he refers to LB as "Birdie." Cracks me up.

His FT's were also very good to excellent for a big man.

I don't know about the passing though. Ainge didn't coin him the "black hole" for nothing.

His passing was actually pretty impressive, especially for a big man.  He'd be one of the top-3 passing big men around, IMO, though he didn't try to be a playmaker like Divac.

McHale was great at hitting cutters when he was bumped a step out on the baseline, usually to a moving Bird, and also passing out of the frequent double teams.

It's important to keep Ainge's comments in perspective, too: that was one of the biggest trash-talking teams in the history of competitive sports.  As much of a kidder as McHale is, there's no question Ainge was going to come up with something to call him.

I believe McHale's reply to Ainge was something like: Why pass to a guy who shoots 45% when I shoot 60%?  Wouldn't you rather have the guy who shoots 60% take the shot?
While McHale was joking he actually makes great sense!
I agree that McHale would be dominant today.  He might not be as good defensively against some of the more athletic power forwards, but probably better offensively because there are less big men with legit size to go along with that skill.
In other words, Amare might get 25 on him, but he'd drop 35 right back on Amare.

[BballTim]

McHale could play in any era, IMO.  He had the extremely rare combination of:

size
quickness (in moves to the hoop)
shooting range (esp. later in career)
incredible instincts around the hoop
vision and passing

I'd love to read the article (but not enough to "become an insider") to get the projected numbers, but no question he'd be an all star today, again IMO.

And I love that he refers to LB as "Birdie." Cracks me up.

His FT's were also very good to excellent for a big man.

I don't know about the passing though. Ainge didn't coin him the "black hole" for nothing.

His passing was actually pretty impressive, especially for a big man.  He'd be one of the top-3 passing big men around, IMO, though he didn't try to be a playmaker like Divac.

McHale was great at hitting cutters when he was bumped a step out on the baseline, usually to a moving Bird, and also passing out of the frequent double teams.

It's important to keep Ainge's comments in perspective, too: that was one of the biggest trash-talking teams in the history of competitive sports.  As much of a kidder as McHale is, there's no question Ainge was going to come up with something to call him.

I believe McHale's reply to Ainge was something like: Why pass to a guy who shoots 45% when I shoot 60%?  Wouldn't you rather have the guy who shoots 60% take the shot?
While McHale was joking he actually makes great sense!
I agree that McHale would be dominant today.  He might not be as good defensively against some of the more athletic power forwards, but probably better offensively because there are less big men with legit size to go along with that skill.
In other words, Amare might get 25 on him, but he'd drop 35 right back on Amare.

  McHale guarded big centers and he sometimes guarded small forwards. Athletic power forwards should be in his wheelhouse.

[Celtics4ever]

McHale would own.  He is argubly the best low post scorer of all time.  Isn't he the only guy to ever shoot 60% from the field and 80% from the line.  Fakes still work today and his footwork is excellent.   It would be easier for him today with the no charge line and less hand checks and pushing.  The 80's were pretty physical down low.

As for athletic power fowards they had plenty in his era.  Tom Chambers and Larry Nance both could jump higher than 90% of the guys today.  McHale did just fine against them.  Do you think Worthy was unathletic? I sure as heck don't.  Kevin could guard SF-C.  He matched up with Malone, Erving, Worthy, Wilkins, Nance, Chambers, Jabbar, Malone, Hakeem and plenty of athletic guys.