Garnett Vs Mchale

Iguodala rules · Post #1 » by **Iguodala rules** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:40 pm

Who's is better, kevin Mchale 1986/87 , ot the big ticket 2003/04,2007/08. Who'd you take?

I'll take the ticket, much better defensivley...

Poetic · Post #2 » by **Poetic** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:58 pm

KG for me, he's probably top 2 all time PF behind Duncan. Though people may put Barkley above him. When KG retires, he could be #1 with another title or two.

Post #3 » by **canman1971** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:20 pm

I am going to go out on a limb here and say neither of you have seen McHale play outside of maybe some highlight films. For someone to say, "much better defensively" when comparing to McHale you obviously don't know how good of a defender McHale was.

Here are his list of honors:

Honors: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1999); NBA champion (1981, '84, '86); All-NBA First Team (1987); Sixth Man Award (1984, '85); All-Defensive First Team (1986, '87, '88); All-Defensive Second Team (1983, '89, '90); All-Rookie team (1981); Seven-time All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

SonicYouth34 · Post #4 » by **SonicYouth34** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:19 pm

As much as I love KG, McHale is much better. When McHale had the ball, he was unstoppable. No matter who was guarding him. McHale was also a great defender, he always guarded the better offensive forward

Post #5 » by **Worm Guts** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:35 pm

canman1971 wrote:I am going to go out on a limb here and say neither of you have seen McHale play outside of maybe some highlight films. For someone to say, "much better defensively" when comparing to McHale you obviously don't know how good of a defender McHale was.

Here are his list of honors:

Honors: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1999); NBA champion (1981, '84, '86); All-NBA First Team (1987); Sixth Man Award (1984, '85); All-Defensive First Team (1986, '87, '88); All-Defensive Second Team (1983, '89, '90); All-Rookie team (1981); Seven-time All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

If you want to compare accolades, KG blows McHale out of the water.

Cyclical · Post #6 » by **Cyclical** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:43 pm

KG's intesity and leadership puts him over the top for me.
But let's get it straight...
McHale was a great defensive player. Better one-on-one than KG. KG is a better team defender and an outstanding communicator which just makes him so special. He's much more of a floater who affects the rest of the floor, not just his man. As far as offensive post play McHale is not just better but much better than KG. Perhaps the best post moves of all time (Big Al compares better in that department), but KG has a better mid-range game, is more mobile, more athletic and more physically durable.

GuyClinch · Post #7 » by **GuyClinch** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:33 pm

Hmm. I think McHale is probably better. But they are different kinds of players. Garnett plays like a guard but Mchale played like a PF. McHale for whatever reason has become very underrated compared to Bird who is overrated by Celtic fandom..IMHO.

For example almost no one would think Pierce is anywhere close to Bird whereas McHale is way behind KG... That's the general view. I am a bit mystified by this growing up through the 80s.. Bird was a rather mediocre defender compared to McHale who was stellar. With the emphasis on defense nowadays Kevin Mchale would be incredibly valuable..

And I know Bird one defensive accolades - but I never felt he deserved them back in the day..

Pete

BigHands · Post #8 » by **BigHands** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:42 am

Pretty tough for McHale to get a fair share in the immediate aftermath of No 17.

Gant · Post #9 » by **Gant** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:22 am

I think they're very close. Both wonderful players with many strengths. I can't pick between them.

(and don't want to.)

DJToLarry · Post #10 » by **DJToLarry** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 2:08 am

I think it all depends on what your team needs. Neither is a Number 1 on a team, just not in their makeup. But if I were drafting, I'd have to go with Garnett for his skillset and leadership. But if I wanted high percentage low-post offense I'd take McHale all day. Certainly makes life a lot easier in the playoffs.

Collinto · Post #11 » by **Collinto** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 2:21 am

Both great players...

But in 86 and 87 McHale was as close to an automatic basket as anyone I have ever seen. He shot over 60% from the field for 2 consecutive seasons. KG has barely broken 50% FG%, McHale shot over 55% for his career. McHale used to guard the opposing teams small forward...

Tough to compare numbers since McHale played with a great team, while KG was the main focus both offensively and defensively. How much better would McHale"s rebound numbers be on a team like Minny? We saw how KG's rebound numbers came down this year. McHale could have put up some crazy offensive numbers on a team he was the #1 option.

Anyway, I vote McHale based on that season '86-'87. I'd vote KG as the better player. McHale put up 26/10/2.2 on 60% FG%, 1st team All-Defense, 1st Team All-NBA, NBA Championship.

drza · Post #12 » by **drza** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:03 am

McHale was an excellent 1-on-1 defender (could effectively guard any frontcourt position) and an excellent 1-on-1 scorer that was exceedingly unlikely to pass the ball (thus the nickname Black Hole). KG is an excellent 1-on-1 defender, and in addition to that is an All World team defender. KG is a great scorer, and in addition is also one of the better passing big men in NBA history which leads to a very efficient team offense.

If it were a 1-on-1 game, or you were looking for a finishing piece to add to an already established team then maybe an argument could be made for McHale. But if you want the player that is going to lead to the better overall team, the player that you could build a team around, it's KG in a walk.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #13 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:06 pm

Wow guys, no offense 'cause I love KG, but anyone who picked him over McHale is nuts. If you never saw McHale play firsthand (basically if you never watched the 1980s Celtics in person or live on TV) than you shouldn't be allowed to vote here. KG is great, no doubt, but McHale was a **** BEAST. In 1986-87 at his peak, he shot 60% from the field, 80% from the FT line, played great defense, and was a serious MVP candidate...on a team with Larry Bird on it. McHale was undefendable in the low post and later on developed a pretty good 3-point shot.

No contest.

Post #14 » by **Worm Guts** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:34 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:Wow guys, no offense 'cause I love KG, but anyone who picked him over McHale is nuts. If you never saw McHale play firsthand (basically if you never watched the 1980s Celtics in person or live on TV) than you shouldn't be allowed to vote here. KG is great, no doubt, but McHale was a **** BEAST. In 1986-87 at his peak, he shot 60% from the field, 80% from the FT line, played great defense, and was a serious MVP candidate...on a team with Larry Bird on it. McHale was undefendable in the low post and later on developed a pretty good 3-point shot.

No contest.

You have to be kidding. McHale finished 4th in MVP voting once, Garnett has finished in the top 3 four times. McHale was the better and more efficient scorer but KG is so much better as a facilitator, KG has averaged 6 assists per game over the course of a season, McHale never had more than 3. Garnett has won 4 rebounding titles, McHale never averaged more than 10. McHale was a first team all defender 3 times, Garnett has been on the team 7 times and has a DPOY.
If you think McHale was better than Garnett, that's your opinion, but pretending that there shouldn't be a discussion is ridiculous.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #15 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:22 pm

McHale was on a team with Larry Bird. Your argument is like saying Scottie Pippen wasn't that good because he never had serious MVP consideration.

Garnett is awesome, no doubt, but McHale could flat out take over games and put up some ridiculous numbers at a time when the league had fewer teams and the overall quality of competition was at its highest point. Garnett certainly could have been a great player then, but a guy like McHale would be a monster in today's NBA, especially in the post.

We can have the discussion, sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion most of the people voting in this poll are 25 yrs old and under...

DJToLarry · Post #16 » by **DJToLarry** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:50 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:McHale was on a team with Larry Bird. Your argument is like saying Scottie Pippen wasn't that good because he never had serious MVP consideration.

Garnett is awesome, no doubt, but McHale could flat out take over games and put up some ridiculous numbers at a time when the league had fewer teams and the overall quality of competition was at its highest point. Garnett certainly could have been a great player then, but a guy like McHale would be a monster in today's NBA, especially in the post.

We can have the discussion, sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion most of the people voting in this poll are 25 yrs old and under...

I'm with you on this one. The question was who would you take in their prime. People just have no idea what a prime Kevin McHale was. These people need to go look at Kevin's stats during his peak years. Especially his playoffs stats. I'll take McHale and his unstoppable low post moves and you can take KGs jump shots and fall aways come playoff time. 60% FG%. SIXTY PERCENT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE. And we are not talking dunks here. He had EVERY move in the book down low. Go back and look at the tape, really its not close.

Post #17 » by **Worm Guts** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:23 pm

If the only thing you value is scoring, then it's McHale. Otherwise it's KG, who's better at everthing else.

Post #18 » by **Worm Guts** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:25 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:McHale was on a team with Larry Bird. Your argument is like saying Scottie Pippen wasn't that good because he never had serious MVP consideration.

Garnett is awesome, no doubt, but McHale could flat out take over games and put up some ridiculous numbers at a time when the league had fewer teams and the overall quality of competition was at its highest point. Garnett certainly could have been a great player then, but a guy like McHale would be a monster in today's NBA, especially in the post.

We can have the discussion, sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion most of the people voting in this poll are 25 yrs old and under...

If you don't like MVP voting, then how about All NBA-teams. Kevin McHale was all-NBA 1st team once, KG has been 4 times.

celtxman · Post #19 » by **celtxman** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:13 pm

Having seen both play, I give the edge to McHale. It's kind of like saying would you prefer ice cream or cake. They both were (are) phenomenal players. McHale was the second best post player of All Time next to Kareem.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #20 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:41 pm

Worm Guts wrote:
MyInsatiableOne wrote:McHale was on a team with Larry Bird. Your argument is like saying Scottie Pippen wasn't that good because he never had serious MVP consideration.

Garnett is awesome, no doubt, but McHale could flat out take over games and put up some ridiculous numbers at a time when the league had fewer teams and the overall quality of competition was at its highest point. Garnett certainly could have been a great player then, but a guy like McHale would be a monster in today's NBA, especially in the post.

We can have the discussion, sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion most of the people voting in this poll are 25 yrs old and under...

If you don't like MVP voting, then how about All NBA-teams. Kevin McHale was all-NBA 1st team once, KG has been 4 times.

Sure, KG has made it more times, it a weaker, more talent-diluted league. And for you to say McHale wasn't a good rebounder or defender is ludicrous. KG is a great player, no doubt, but McHale scored more (and better), was an excellent rebounder and defender, and was absolutely unguardable in the post. You must be 20 yrs old or something to have never seen McHale in his prime (1980 to 1987). This is like the people 5 years ago who said Shaq was as good or better than Wilt and Russell and Kareem. But it's an unwinnable debate, so oh well.

KG Vs Mchale