"He kicked my butt more probably than any player I played against" - Charles Barkley names Kevin McHale as his toughest matchup

“He kicked my butt more probably than any player I played against” – Charles Barkley names Kevin McHale as his toughest matchup originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Charles Barkley entered the league in 1984, at a time when the Boston Celtics were at the peak of their powers. They regularly dominated the East and made their way to the championship round.

It was also the phase when Kevin McHale was transitioning from his bench role into becoming a full-time starter and one of the league’s most dominant two-way forwards.

So, as McHale gradually started entering the 20-points-per-game territory, one of the players who felt the full force early on was none other than Barkley himself, who never hesitated to admit that the ‘Herman Munster’ gave him absolute fits every time they faced off.

Chuck admits to being topped by McHale

In the Chuckster’s rookie campaign, his Philadelphia 76ers clashed against the Boston Celtics on six occasions in the regular season. In those contests, McHale logged 17.7 points on a remarkable 56.6 percent shooting from the field per game, along with 8.3 rebounds.

But when the two teams met in the Eastern Conference Finals, the seven-time All-Star elevated his game to another level, reserving his best for the last. McHale averaged a series-high 21.1 points along with 11.2 rebounds to help his Celtics eliminate the 76ers in five games – a subtle gentleman sweep.

What impressed Barkley the most wasn’t just McHale’s size or efficiency, but his incredible versatility and natural feel for the game. Despite his 6’10” frame, McHale was too lean and fit, which helped him become one of the quickest players on the court during transitions.

Furthermore, the fact that the two-time 6MOTY had long arms, he could easily score buckets without having to use his full intensity, and more notably, when McHale used his flair, according to Barkley, most in the league, including him, had no answers.

“He wasn’t very athletic, but for some reason, he knew all the little tricks, and he drove me crazy,” Barkley said during his appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show.” “When I played against him, he kicked my butt more probably than any player that I played against.”

Barkley has always been appreciative of McHale

Interestingly, Barkley’s respect for McHale didn’t end with their on-court battles. Known for his boldness and pride, rarely acknowledging that others were better than him during his playing days, “The Round Mound of Rebound” has previously even named McHale as the Celtic who gave him the most trouble, labeling him his toughest opponent.

“Kevin McHale was the best player I played against,” Chuck added. “Because he was unstoppable offensively, and he gave me nightmares on defense.”

So, while most modern-day fans may conveniently overlook McHale’s greatness, it is through admission like these from the greatest players of that era that truly highlight the legend of Kevin Edward McHale on the hardwood. Surely, had he not been so selfless, who knows if the Celtics’ legacy would have truly been so utterly dominant in that era or not?

Nevertheless, at least players from the ’80s and ’90s do not hesitate to credit a player who, to date, remains one of the most underappreciated forwards in the league’s history.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.

“He kicked my butt more probably than any player I played against” – Charles Barkley names Kevin McHale as his toughest matchup

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