25 Greatest NBA Playoff Performers of All-Time

By Bill Speros | Apr 15, 2016

Basketball: NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (23) with head down on court during Game 5 vs Utah Jazz. Jordan had a stomach virus that caused a fever and dehydration. Salt Lake City, UT 6/11/1997 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X52984 ) /

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20. Kevin McHale

Boston forward Kevin McHale had the distinct privilege of playing alongside Larry Bird and Robert Parish during his five appearances in the NBA Finals. McHale and the Celtics won three times as the 6-foot-11 Minnesotan took full advantage of his immovable position in the low post.

McHale was able to softly scoop in rebounds or take a feed from Bird or Dennis Johnson to deliver a near-certain layup. Only Shaquille O’Neal has a higher lifetime shooting percentage in the playoffs than Kevin McHale (among those qualify). Whether it was as a starter or coming off the bench, McHale was a potent and at-times unstoppable offensive force.

And his defensive attributes far outweighed his ability to clothesline Kurt Rambis. That play in Game 3 of the 1984 Finals turned the series eventually won by Boston. He averaged 20-plus points during the playoffs six times during his career.

Next: No. 19