Why They Rank
Three championships, the most devastating post moves in history, and two Sixth Man of the Year awards. McHale's offensive repertoire in the low post has never been duplicated by any player at any position.
The Career
Kevin McHale had the most devastating post moves in NBA history. His up-and-under, his drop step, his turnaround jumper, and his array of fakes and counters made him virtually unguardable in the low post. Opposing players have said that guarding McHale was like trying to solve a puzzle that kept changing — every counter had a counter, and his 6'10" frame with impossibly long arms meant there was no clean way to contest his shots.
McHale won three championships with the Boston Celtics (1981, 1984, 1986) alongside Larry Bird and Robert Parish, forming the greatest frontcourt in NBA history. His 1987 season — 26.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game — was his statistical peak, and his two Sixth Man of the Year awards (1984, 1985) recognized his ability to dominate games coming off the bench before becoming a full-time starter.
McHale's 56-point game against the Pistons in 1985 showcased the full arsenal of his post game and remained the Celtics' single-game scoring record for years. His defense was equally impressive — he was a three-time All-Defensive selection whose shot-blocking and positioning made the Celtics' frontcourt one of the most formidable defensive units of the 1980s.
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