Tag: Kevin McHale

NBA legends on how good Boston Celtics legend Kevin McHale was

Kevin McHale was an all-time great at any position, never mind the 4.

Iconic Boston Celtics big man Kevin McHale was one of the greatest to play at the power forward position — and in the minds of many of his peers, the sport from anywhere on the floor.

Winning three titles with the Celtics as part of the “Big Three” of himself, Larry Bird and Robert Parish in the 1980s, McHale’s unstoppable presence in the post aided by his unnaturally long limbs made him a force to be reckoned with. However, you do not need to take our word for it, his peers have long attested to just how good of a player the Minnesota native was.

In a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Basketball Time Machine” podcast, the legendary Celtics forward is praised by his peers of the era of Boston’s dominance in the 1980s he helped make possible.

Watch the clip embedded above to hear how McHale was seen by those who played the game alongside him.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Kevin McHale on legendary Boston Celtics president Red Auerbach not trading him away

“I will always be grateful for Red for not trading me,” said McHale.

As one era of contention for the Boston Celtics hits its stride, a look back at the penultimate before it and its end through the eyes of a Hall of Famer is in order. As the end of the Celtics’ run of title contention in the late 1980s ran down, that revered core of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale could have found themselves suiting up for new ball clubs in the twilights of their iconic careers.

But legendary Boston team president Red Auerbach elected to let each of the trio leave the team on their own terms, with Parish leaving to join the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls, and Bird and McHale to retire. The latter of the trio in particular expressed his thanks for Auerbach’s decision.

“I will always be grateful for Red for not trading me,” said McHale via ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan. “It meant the world to me to play my entire career with the Celtics.”

“I know people want to criticize him now, but I loved the fact Red said, ‘Screw it, these are my guys.’,” added McHale.

“There was real honor to it, something you hardly ever see today.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Robert Parish on the Boston Celtics’ only letdown in the 1986 championship

As odd as it sounds, we know it is true after hearing it from one of the key members of the team, Hall of Fame Boston big man Robert Parish.

The 1985-86 Boston Celtics are widely considered to have been one of the best (if not THE best) full-season and playoffs ball clubs to have been assembled in the nearly eight-decade history of the league. And you will find few analysts or fans of the team who would elevate another season’s roster and results above them in the hierarchy of greatest Celtics squads of all time.

But even after having said all of this, there are still some things about that team that members of that historic squad have letdowns to look back on. As odd as it may sound, we know it is true after hearing it from one of the key members of the team, Hall of Fame Boston big man Robert Parish.

Chief broke down the story on a recent episode of the “NBA History and Storytellers” show vial CLNS Media. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston Celtics 1984 reunion: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Cedric Maxwell are together again

You know that the title town vibes are high when these guys are in the house.

You know that the title town vibes are high when legendary Boston Celtics alumni Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Cedric Maxwell are in the city of Boston ahead of the Celtics taking on the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

CLNS Media reporters Josue Pavon and Nick Gelso were there in the flesh to provide us with exclusive coverage from the 1984 Celtics reunion featuring Bird, Maxwell, Parish, and McHale. The iconic Celtics players gathered for the grand opening of Dick’s House of Sport at Prudential Center on this past Saturday (April 20).

Take a look at the clip embedded below to see the reunion for yourself.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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NBA legend speaks to Nebraska basketball team after senior night victory

An NBA legend spoke to the Nebraska men’s basketball team after their victory on Sunday night.

An NBA legend spoke to the Nebraska men’s basketball team after their victory on Sunday night. Hall of Famer Kevin McHale spoke to the team after their 67-56 senior night victory.

McHale played for the Boston Celtics from 1980-1993. He was a seven-time All-Star and three-time NBA Champion.

He was also a member of both the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams. The former Celtic coached Hoiberg when the Husker head coach played in the NBA and helped when he transitioned to the front office/coaching.

McHale started his talk to the team by focusing on their effort early in the game.

Great job. Great effort. It’s fun watching you guys play basketball. That first five minutes, everyone had their their hands up. You were moving, you helped, if you got beat on a play you didn’t quit on the play.

You guys went after it. You offensively rebounded. You set the tone right away. It was fun to watch you guys play. This is the fun time. You’ve got Michigan coming up, now go kick their (butt) and win (game) number 22. Every night you guys play after that, you guys are going to be a hard out.  You guys play that hard. It’s going to take someone special to be you.

He also discussed how happy he is for his former protege and his team heading into the postseason.

 I like that fact that you guys fought together, you rallied together. I was really happy to see you guys play. I’m really happy for Freddy (Hoiberg). I’m really happy for you guys. The big thing about it, is how good can you make your teammates.

Nebraska will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, March 10, at Michigan. The tip-off is set for 11:00 am.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

On this day: Kevin McHale gets 56; Sam Cassell signed; Jayson Tatum, Jordan Walsh born

On this day in Celtics history, legend Kevin McHale scored 56 points, Sam Cassell signed with Boston, and Jayson Tatum was born.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, champion reserve guard Sam Cassell signed with the storied franchise as a late-season addition in the Celtics’ push for Banner 17.

Cassell had played just under half — a total of 38 games of the 2007-08 NBA season — with the Los Angeles Clippers before he managed to negotiate a buyout at the end of the month of February. After listening to the pitches of several NBA teams, Cassell ultimately decided to hitch his proverbial wagon to the team, inking an agreement as an unrestricted free agent on this date in 2008 to finish the season in green and white.

The Florida State product would play an important role for the Celtics in the postseason, and after being reunited with former teammates Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen won his third and final title.

Every Boston Celtics All-Star for each season the game was played

Every single Boston Celtics All-Star in franchise history.

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game is set to kick off in Indianapolis, Indiana. A pair of Boston Celtics will be part of the action for the third year in a row as Jayson Tatum plays as a starter and Jaylen Brown a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.

Tatum and Brown join a long list of Celtics stars who have participated in the event, now entering its 73rd year of existence, which actually got its start in the old Boston Garden. Initially created to improve the image of professional basketball after a point-shaving scandal in NCAA ball besmirched the sport in the eyes of the public, the event has taken on a life of its own as one of the league’s most anticipated events.

Let’s take a look at all the Celtics who have taken part.

On this day: Celtic champ Jo Jo White traded; Kevin McHale’s jersey retired

On this day in history, Boston Celtics champion point guard Jo Jo White was dealt to the Warriors, and Kevin McHale’s jersey was retired.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, Celtics champion point guard Jo Jo White was traded to the Golden State Warriors back in 1979 for draft considerations after a significant injury changed the course of his Hall of Fame career.

White was a member of the Celtics for ten seasons, and one of the best athletes ever to suit up for the storied franchise, particularly when it comes to endurance and availability. He played for the University of Kansas before turning pro and won a gold medal representing the United States of America in the 1968 Olympic Games that were played in Mexico City. Interestingly enough, White was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and Dallas Cowboys as well as the Boston Celtics.

He spent a tour in the Marines before joining Boston, the rigors of which he attributed to his later success with the team.

On this day: Celtic power forwards Kevin McHale, Tom Gugliotta born

On this day, Hall of Fame big man Kevin McHale was born, as was forward Tom Gugliotta.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary Boston Celtics big man Kevin McHale was born in Hibbing, Minnesota in 1957.

McHale would not stray far from home to play his college ball, playing for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he won All-Big Ten honors in 1979 and 1980. The 6-foot-10 power forward would be taken third in the 1980 NBA draft after general manager Red Auerbach dealt Boston’s No. 1 pick for center Robert Parish and the selection used to take McHale. The deal would set up the Celtics to have one of the greatest frontcourts of all time along with small forward Larry Bird.

The Minnesotan would make NBA All-Rookie First Team in his inaugural season in the league and would win his first title at the end of it in 1981.

Kevin McHale on if he thought Michael Jordan’s Bulls could have beaten ’86 Celtics

“Does anyone honestly think those teams, even with Michael Jordan, could have beaten the 1985-86 champions?” asked McHale.

Younger fans of the NBA may not be aware of the fact that the “original Big Three” era of the Boston Celtics featuring Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale overlapped with the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. But they might be more surprised by how unthreatened that Celtics triumvirate felt towards that early version of His Airness’ ball club.

“I give the Chicago Bulls a lot of credit for winning three straight NBA titles, but, come on, does anyone honestly think those teams, even with Michael Jordan, could have beaten the 1985-86 champions with Larry Bird, Robert Parish, myself, Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson, and Bill Walton?” McHale asked via Basketball Network’s Yakshpat Bhargava.

“Or the Los Angeles Laker champs of ’86-87 and ’87-88 with Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?”

“Or the Detroit Piston teams of Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, which played great defense and won the ’88-89 and ’89-90 titles?” added McHale, driving the point home.

A young Jordan was very good indeed, averaging an absurd 43 points per game in his Bulls’ first postseason meeting with Boston in 1986. But basketball is a team sport, and the Celtics’ talent was simply overwhelming as McHale noted.

And young MJ would find out the hard way just how hard they were to beat in that series, Chicago getting swept in three games.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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