Larry Bird vs Kevin McHale
Larry Bird and Kevin McHale were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 12 seasons. On the floor, Larry Bird was the higher-volume scorer (24.3 points per game to 17.8); Kevin McHale was the more efficient scorer (60.4% true shooting to 56.5%); Larry Bird created more for others (6.3 assists per game to 1.7). Larry Bird holds the edge on accolades — 3 MVPs, 3 championships, 2 Finals MVPs and the #10 all-time ranking to Kevin McHale's #45.
Career averages
| Larry Bird | Stat | Kevin McHale |
|---|---|---|
| 24.3 | Points / game | 17.8 |
| 10.0 | Rebounds / game | 7.3 |
| 6.3 | Assists / game | 1.7 |
| 1.7 | Steals / game | 0.4 |
| 0.8 | Blocks / game | 1.7 |
| 49.4% | Field goal % | 54.9% |
| 34.6% | 3-point % | 9.3% |
| 88.5% | Free throw % | 78.9% |
| 56.5% | True shooting % | 60.4% |
| 897 | Games played | 971 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Larry Bird's era.
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Kevin McHale's era.
Playoff averages
| Larry Bird | Stat | Kevin McHale |
|---|---|---|
| 23.7 | Points / game | 18.8 |
| 10.3 | Rebounds / game | 7.4 |
| 6.5 | Assists / game | 1.6 |
| 1.8 | Steals / game | 0.4 |
| 0.9 | Blocks / game | 1.7 |
| 47.1% | Field goal % | 55.7% |
| 31.6% | 3-point % | 14.6% |
| 88.5% | Free throw % | 77.0% |
| 164 | Playoff games | 169 |
Accolades
| Larry Bird | Stat | Kevin McHale |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | MVP awards | 0 |
| 2 | Finals MVP | 0 |
| 3 | Championships | 3 |
| 10 | All-Star selections | 7 |
| 9 | All-NBA 1st Team | 1 |
| #10 | All-time GOAT rank | #45 |
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