Basketbawful reader Alexandru wrote in from Romania and alerted me to Steve Aschburner's column on SI.com, in which Aschburner, while discussing the Minnesota Timberwolves, said: "Then there's [Kevin] Love, a feisty rookie from UCLA who sees the floor and loves to pass. Those are skills that got [Kevin] McHale into the shrine in Springfield."
[Spits morning coffee all over the computer screen]
Great googly moogly! Seeing the floor? Passing?! This seems like a good time to point out that McHale was dubbed The Black Hole by his teammates and that McHale himself once described his shooting philosophy as: "If there are three guys on me, shoot. If there are four guys on me, pass."
Just watch the following video, in which Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson and Robert Parish describe McHale's penchant for ball-hoggery. The best quote comes from D.J., who said: "You stand there for a while just hopin', but from the bench you here the coaches sayin' 'Hey, cut Dennis, cut, because you aren't gonna get it back.'"
Here's another video that shows off why Kevin was so reluctant to give up the rock.
[Spits morning coffee all over the computer screen]
Great googly moogly! Seeing the floor? Passing?! This seems like a good time to point out that McHale was dubbed The Black Hole by his teammates and that McHale himself once described his shooting philosophy as: "If there are three guys on me, shoot. If there are four guys on me, pass."
Just watch the following video, in which Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson and Robert Parish describe McHale's penchant for ball-hoggery. The best quote comes from D.J., who said: "You stand there for a while just hopin', but from the bench you here the coaches sayin' 'Hey, cut Dennis, cut, because you aren't gonna get it back.'"
Here's another video that shows off why Kevin was so reluctant to give up the rock.
Labels: 80s Celtics, black hole, Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson, fan submissions, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Sports Illustrated
16 Comments:
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You just don't see post play like this anymore. Two reasons: one - because of officiating and changes; two - everyone wants to isolate up high and back down for a fadeaway. Gak. Look at the drop steps, the up and unders, hooks, rebounding, positioning and elbow placement. Watch and learn, kids. Unless you're learning to pass...
Kudos to your Romanian readership for spotting the goof.
One year Bird was hurt and he took his game out to the 3 point stripe.
Not sure what to say considering I spent my whole life hating all things Celtic...
five pound bag -- Exactly, my friend. Big Al is definitely a very poor man's McHale. Possibly a homeless man's McHale.
anonymous -- Indeed.
cortez -- It's also worth noting that, prior to his various foot injuries, McHale was a hellacious and versatile defender.
dandruff102 -- I'll look into the link problem. There are, indeed, many more Words of the Day coming...I just try to use them during the season when something related happens.
pistonsgirl4life -- I couldn't agree more. And that's the thing: Almost any player can be mimicked. Even Jordan. But nobody, and I mean nobody, can do what McHale did. He's truly a one-of-a-kind player. And kudos for seeing this through the haze of Celtic hatred. I do the same thing when I look back and how freaking amazing Isiah was back in the day.
- matt damon could play a young danny ainge in a movie: DANNY AAAIIIIINNGEEE
- DJs face is kinda messed up. thats a terrible stache even for 80s standard.
In addition to being practically unstoppable on the block, McHale was also a terrific defender who could guard 4s and 5s. Barkley called him the best player he'd ever played against. Of course, Barkley picked Utah to win the title this year...
Anyways, I could be wrong, but I think about half of K-Mac's amazing post fake-spin-lobs would be called travels in FIBA play.
I miss the 80's.
best post player - hakeem, by far
In the second video the nicest play is Bird's entry pass at about 2:43. Three Lakers surrounding Mchale and the pass is... perfect. Not just textbook perfect, but ingenious perfect.
Man, I hate Mchale (and why doesn't anybody play like this anymore?!).