To Opponents, McHale Can Actually Be Scary

Kevin McHale’s body would be perfect for a haunted house but it’s opposing NBA teams that he scares.

His arms, long even in proportion to his 6-foot-10 frame, lead to bony shoulders. A bouncy walk makes him look even taller. Droopy black hair, skimming over deep-set dark eyes, give him a spooky look that once prompted a player to call him Lurch, the 8-foot zombie butler in the Addams Family television show.

But what McHale has done for the Boston Celtics this season probably will put him in another supporting role . . . as a forward on the Eastern Conference All-Star team on Feb. 8 in Seattle.

“Kevin McHale is the best inside player in the league,” Milwaukee Coach Don Nelson said after McHale scored 28 points in a 119-92 victory over the Bucks on Jan. 7. “He has a great understanding of double-teaming and you have to double-team him. He’s been tough on us and he seems to be getting better.”

Said McHale: “It was nice of him to say that about me, but I don’t know if it’s true. Coaches say different things in different cities. Every year, the labels put on players change. There’s always a different No. 1 forward and a different No. 1 center.”

But there’s no disputing that McHale’s combination of size and quickness, whether at center or forward, gives defenders fits.

“There’s no one who can match up with him,” teammate Larry Bird said. “Kevin will score over anybody. One guy guarding him is like nobody guarding him because he’s used to double- and triple-teaming.”

“Beating a defense is a cat and mouse game,” McHale said. “You have to be alert and get your shot off before they can come to you. Basketball is a game of feel. You have to have a feel for what will work.”

McHale, a two-time All-Star, has raised his game another level this season.

He is averaging 26 points and 10 rebounds while scoring at least 20 points in 36 of Boston’s first 38 games. In all of last season, he scored 20 or more points 43 times.