Better Player during prime: Kevin McHale or AD

[mdonnelly1989]

AD does not have a top 6 PF Prime.

Duncan
KG
Barkley
Malone
Dirk
Giannis

All have better primes than AD. But it got me to wondering where does AD come after that...

[HeartBreakKid]

Bob Pettit if you want to go way back.

As for McHale, he's not close to Davis. Davis is an MVP type of player.

[xb3at band1tx]

As awesome as McHale was in the post. He did have some black hole narratives with his offense at times.

Davis is the direct opposite of that going with the flow of the team on that end and completely dominating on the defensive game. I think AD is better.

[TheGOATRises007]

Davis is much better than McHale.

Swap the two and the 86 Celtics maybe win 75+ games.

The Lakers are trailing the Warriors right now with McHale instead of AD.

[kendogg]

McHale is the better offensive player. AD is the better defensive player. But a lot of AD's value comes from his ability to slide to center and be a rim protector. AD is the better rim runner/lob threat also.

But the biggest knock against AD is his inconsistency. He lacks fortitude. On his best days, he's clearly the better overall player, but on his worst days he doesn't even look like a star. On average, AD probably slightly edges McHale overall.

If I had a team that already had a rim protecting center and needed a PF and 2nd option, I would probably pick McHale.

[SilentA]

For a single playoff series at peak potential? AD.

For a few seasons to win a championship? McHale, who I also think would be a better shooter in today's era and was still decent on defense. The availability gap makes up for the defensive skill gap for me.

[70sFan]

Davis peaked higher than McHale, but I don't really think he has a huge edge in primes to be honest...