Why Kevin McHale Would Fare Better in Today's Game Than Larry Bird

Larry Bird was the unquestioned leader and premier player of the Boston Celtics three championship teams during the ‘80s. Bird led through his hard work and blue collar attitude, and as a player combined his smarts and competitiveness with premier shooting and passing ability.

Kevin McHale was an immensely talented player who was often overshadowed by Bird’s accomplishments. At his apex, McHale was arguably the NBA’s best defensive player and used his long arms and athleticism to frustrate opposing players.

McHale is best known for his plethora of post moves that defenders found impossible to stop. Covering McHale in the post was referred to as being in a “torture chamber” in which McHale terrorized helpless defenders.

Bird’s individual achievements far superseded McHale’s. Bird won three regular season MVP awards and two finals MVPs, while McHale failed to win either award. Bird was named to nine All-NBA first teams compared to McHale’s one. 

Despite all this, if both players were to play in today’s game McHale would fare better than Bird.

During his playing days Bird was known for his immense shooting ability. Mid-range and long-range shooting were huge parts of Bird’s game that allowed him to score at will.

In today’s game, Bird would have a hard time getting his shot off because he would be up against players who are athletically superior to the ones he faced. Athleticism and lateral quickness were not strengths of Bird’s, and his ability to get open on mid-range and long-range shots would take a major hit.

During his career Bird’s weakness was his defensive ability. He was consistently beat off the dribble by opposing players and because of this was always matched up against the other teams’ worst offensive player.

Bird’s poor defensive play was for the most part hidden because he had great defenders and shot blockers in McHale and Robert Parish playing behind him.

In today’s game, with players being far more athletically gifted and stronger than they were in the past, Bird’s defensive would be an extreme weakness. Bird would have no way of staying with athletic forwards like Kevin Durant and Lebron James, and he most likely wouldn’t have two elite big men like McHale and Parish to have his back.

Kevin McHale was an extremely versatile defender. He was tremendously athletic and used his height and long arms to frustrate opposing players.

McHale’s defensive ability would transfer perfectly into today’s game. There are few premier defensive big men in today’s game who have the ability to prevent interior scoring. McHale was just that and he also was a very versatile defender who could defend centers, power forwards, and small forwards. 

McHale’s major offensive strength was his low-post moves. McHale was an extremely efficient scorer due to his post up-game, and he was the first player in NBA history to shoot 60 percent or better from the field and 80 percent or better from the foul line in the same season.

McHale’s low-post scoring ability would transfer to today’s game. Along with Hakeem Olajuwon, McHale had some of the best low-post moves in NBA history and even in today’s game defenders would not be able to stop him because of his impressive moves and footwork. Combined with great height and length, he would be able to keep many defenders on their toes.

While Larry Bird was without question a better player than teammate Kevin McHale, I believe in today’s game McHale would be more successful.