Where would Peak Kevin McHale rank today?

[Bubbachuck2]

He would for sure be a 5 today, and would kill. His 3point shooting would be better and defense guard 5's would be excellent

[Owly]

One of the best seasons by a PF the past 4+ decades was McHale in 1986-87.

Played 40 min/g, scored 26.1 pts/g, was extremely efficient on offense, average rebounder but good shot blocker, all-NBA 1st team and all-defensive 1st team.

There are mitigating circumstances (injury) and how much one cares about this stuff aligning is an area people will differ.

But a post on '87 should probably be caveated with RS peak and noting they are RS numbers.

McHale's playoff numbers held up well on average over his career, helped by strong box-side runs at the front (2nd year) and back (last and last-but-two [antepenultimate]. In '87 however there is a significant net drop-off via many (nearly across the board), smallish, drops:
PER: 24.0 -> 17.9
WS/48: .232 -> .120
BPM: 5.1 -> 1.7

[Rastas]

China

[Owly]

Depends on ... (some of this is interconnected)
- how you do time machine stuff
- what are your priors on McHale
- what are your views on the 80s game versus now
- how do some of the above shape your intent
etc


If you wanted to wax negative you'd emphasize (the following will be simplified versions):
- the lack of passing (and the cost of giving the ball to weaker passers)
- that some contemporary sources took a cynical view of some of his defensive accolades (notably the Barry Guides/Bibles)
- that defending most 80s 3s not named Larry Bird was perhaps more basket-adjacent and requiring less movement than now
- his failure in an adjacent year to his RS box-peak (cf: context below)

If you wanted to wax positive you'd emphasize:
- The shooting signal over his career
- The efficiency
- The apparent lack of ego (starting and usage don't appear to
- He did cover many 3s (small forwards, that is), protect the rim and get defensive accolades

As per above context and nuance could be brought against some of these points (the RS passing in the peak year isn't too bad; his '87 foot injury).

[70sFan]

Well whatever it looks like, they were hard-tracking boston vs houston a few days ago.

Then there is a possibility that he never watched Sabonis. The conclusion is ridiculous either way.

[MyUniBroDavis]

China

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