Kevin McHale's defensive versatility (MJ, Hakeem, Barkley, etc)

[Im Still Ballin]

The more game footage I watch, the more impressed I come away with Kevin McHale's defensive versatility. I just watched a January 1987 game against Chicago where he switched on to Michael Jordan several times, blocking him at least three times in isolation. He even willingly guarded him one-on-one in the clutch, showing an almost KG-like mentality for the challenge.

I've collected a number of GIFs of McHale defending various players across different positions. I'll continue to add GIFs over time. Right now, for me, he's legitimately Anthony Davis-like defending outside & different positions from what I've seen. He doesn't quite have his mobility, but he's an equally quick jumper (maybe a little quicker), and has a notable wingspan and standing reach advantage, which gives him a greater defensive radius & margin for error concerning positioning.

Originally Posted by Thorpesaurous View Post
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho...1#post14733610

McHale injured his foot that season and was never quite the same defender. This young McHale could switch onto perimeter guys about as effectively as any big I've ever seen, like in the KG range. I think McHale is criminally underrated, not in terms of historically, like achievement wise, but in terms of skill set. I would personally take him over Barkley and Karl Malone. And because of his post game consistency, I could be talked into over KG, from a team building perspective, if you caught me on the right night. His numbers just don't pop because of the quality of team he played on. The only real weakness is he wasn't a great passer. It was in him. You'd see it in spots. But there was so much ball going around on that team, and he was so good in the post, that when it did get into him, it didn't often come out. I think he could stretch his range out some, and would be a more willing passer in a different setting, and would be a great center in the modern game, because he'd score super efficiently with the spacing, and he'd be super switchable defensively.

Vs. Michael Jordan (SG)

[Im Still Ballin]

[Im Still Ballin]

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Vs. Charles Barkley (PF/SF)

I will say however that while Barkley is among the most unstoppable offensive players to ever play, the only player I ever saw give him some difficulty was McHale due to his size and reach. He could sag off him a few feet and still be in position to challenge the shot.

However I will agree that McHale definitely defended Barkley the best due to his size and reach. He could sag off him a few feet on the perimeter to prevent the drive and still be in position to challenge the jump shot.

[Im Still Ballin]

Vs. Hakeem Olajuwon (C)

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Vs. Orlando Woolridge (SF)

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[Im Still Ballin]

5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA SF/SG Marques Johnson talking about being guarded by rookie Kevin McHale (1980-81):

“You like to test a guy like him out,” said Bucks All-Star forward Marques Johnson, who played man-to-man against the rookie. “You want to see what he can and can’t do. You have a check list. Definitely. You’re working it through your mind.”

Where is Kevin McHale vulnerable? Where is he strong? What can you do against Kevin McHale? What can’t you do? What does he like to do? What doesn’t he like to do? Johnson said he worked the whole list, question by question.

“One thing you learn early against him,” Johnson said, "is that you’re going to have to take him outside. He must have exceptionally long arms. It doesn’t look as if he jumps that high, but he’s always got those arms in front of you, making you alter your shot. It’s almost impossible to get through him on the inside.

[SouBeachTalents]

You are now steering dangerously close to 3ball/Xiao territory, just be careful before you take this McHale obsession too far.

[L.Kizzle]

Why does Kevin McHale only have 1 All-NBA Team selection. Serious question.

[tontoz]

Barkley said that McHale was his toughest match up.

[L.Kizzle]

Barkley said that McHale was his toughest match up.

Larry Bird also said the greatest player he ever played with was Dennis Johnson.

[SouBeachTalents]

Why does Kevin McHale only have 1 All-NBA Team selection. Serious question.

They only had 2 All-NBA Teams for most of his prime. He would've likely ended up with at least 3 selections had they had an All-NBA 3rd Team.

[L.Kizzle]

They only had 2 All-NBA Teams for most of his prime. He would've likely ended up with at least 3 selections had they had an All-NBA 3rd Team.

They added 3rd team in 1988 and he still couldn't get slots over Tom Chambers, Terry Cummings, Chris Mullin, James Worthy, Kevin Willis and comeback version of Bernard Kings.