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The more game footage I watch, the more impressed I come away with Kevin McHale's defensive versatility. I just watched a January 1987 game against Chicago where he switched on to Michael Jordan several times, blocking him at least three times in isolation. He even willingly guarded him one-on-one in the clutch, showing an almost KG-like mentality for the challenge.

I've collected a number of GIFs of McHale defending various players across different positions. I'll continue to add GIFs over time. Right now, for me, he's legitimately Anthony Davis-like defending outside & different positions from what I've seen. He doesn't quite have his mobility, but he's an equally quick jumper (maybe a little quicker), and has a notable wingspan and standing reach advantage, which gives him a greater defensive radius & margin for error concerning positioning.

Vs. Michael Jordan (SG)



Vs. Charles Barkley (PF/SF)

Dipper 13 wrote:I will say however that while Barkley is among the most unstoppable offensive players to ever play, the only player I ever saw give him some difficulty was McHale due to his size and reach. He could sag off him a few feet and still be in position to challenge the shot.

Dipper 13 wrote:However I will agree that McHale definitely defended Barkley the best due to his size and reach. He could sag off him a few feet on the perimeter to prevent the drive and still be in position to challenge the jump shot.

Vs. Hakeem Olajuwon (C)



Vs. Dominique Wilkins (SF)



Vs. Orlando Woolridge (SF)



Vs. Ron Harper (SG/PG)



5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA SF/SG Marques Johnson talking about being guarded by rookie Kevin McHale (1980-81):

“You like to test a guy like him out,” said Bucks All-Star forward Marques Johnson, who played man-to-man against the rookie. “You want to see what he can and can’t do. You have a check list. Definitely. You’re working it through your mind.”

Where is Kevin McHale vulnerable? Where is he strong? What can you do against Kevin McHale? What can’t you do? What does he like to do? What doesn’t he like to do? Johnson said he worked the whole list, question by question.

“One thing you learn early against him,” Johnson said, "is that you’re going to have to take him outside. He must have exceptionally long arms. It doesn’t look as if he jumps that high, but he’s always got those arms in front of you, making you alter your shot. It’s almost impossible to get through him on the inside.

Nice! Thanks, Frodo!

You're the biggest mchale fan I've ever seen lol. Really cool work though. With all this eyetest stuff seems like he was the lead Defender

IlikeSHAIguys wrote:You're the biggest mchale fan I've ever seen lol. Really cool work though. With all this eyetest stuff seems like he was the lead Defender

McHale was an excellent player.

His first 3 years (1980-81 to 1982-83) McHale was the best shot blocker in the league among PFs, with 528 blocks. No other PF had more than 356 blocks.

The more I see of McHale, the more I like.

Thank you for the gifs!

kcktiny wrote:

Watch on YouTube

His first 3 years (1980-81 to 1982-83) McHale was the best shot blocker in the league among PFs, with 528 blocks. No other PF had more than 356 blocks.

Probably because McHale, like Tim Duncan, really had a center's game. He just had enough athleticism to defend down.

penbeast0 wrote:

kcktiny wrote:

Watch on YouTube

His first 3 years (1980-81 to 1982-83) McHale was the best shot blocker in the league among PFs, with 528 blocks. No other PF had more than 356 blocks.

Probably because McHale, like Tim Duncan, really had a center's game. He just had enough athleticism to defend down.

He also had Wacky Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man arms, which helped a lot.