Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history for 75th anniversary

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Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history: No. 37 – Kevin McHale

On NBA 50 at 50 List

Career: 1980 – 1993

Achievements: Three-time champion; All-NBA (1x); All-Star (7x); All-Defense (6x); Sixth Man of the Year (2x)

When Kevin McHale was first drafted by the Boston Celtics, they had a glut of talent in the frontcourt. He grew into his own as a bench player, becoming so good that he won the Sixth Man of the Year award twice before the Celtics were absolutely forced to start him.

He then formed what may have been the best frontcourt in NBA history, with Larry Bird at the 3 and Robert Parish at center. While all three were healthy they ripped off four straight trips to the NBA Finals, with McHale the team’s second star. When the Celtics won the title in 1986 he averaged 24.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in that postseason run.

McHale was an absolute savant in the post, with an array of post moves that dazzled fans and confused defenders. Play tight and he went up-and-under; give him space and he had a turnaround jump hook. The 1980s had a lot of talented players, but McHale’s combination of offense and defense was special and a big reason why many call the 1986 Celtics the greatest team of all time. Without a doubt, they are in that conversation.