With his combination of deft low-post footwork, shot blocking and clutch scoring, Kevin McHale was a superstar player in the 1980s for the Boston Celtics. The role he played in three championship teams that decade cemented his place in NBA lore and made him a legend with the franchise as well.
On Jan. 30, 1994, that all culminated with the Celtics retiring his No. 32 jersey. Upon his retirement, McHale was the Celtics’ fourth-leading scorer and No. 6 rebounder. In addition, he was a two-time winner of the NBA’s Sixth Man Award and a six-time member of either the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team.
McHale was the best sixth man of his generation at a time when key reserves were becoming fashionable. His scoring improved in each of his first six seasons and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1980-81.
He teamed with Larry Bird and Robert Parish to form a frontline that was perhaps one of the greatest ever in NBA history.
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