It isn’t just fans of the Boston Celtics who relish the idea of facing off with the Los Angeles Lakers. Back in 1986, when the Celtics ended up drawing the Houston Rockets as their finals opponent, Boston Hall of Fame big man Kevin McHale was just as disappointed as many fans that they wouldn’t be playing against Los Angeles.
In a recent interview with Basketball Network’s Virgil Villanueva, McHale expressed his regret about not being able to face the Lakers in the 1986 NBA Finals. “I was disappointed somewhat that Houston beat the Lakers,” McHale said. “I really wanted a piece of the Lakers in ’86.”
McHale’s disappointment stemmed from his belief that the Celtics would have easily defeated the Lakers. “Once Houston got there, I never thought for a second that Houston could beat us,” he added. “I looked at that team and just said there’s just no way.”
McHale, known for his basketball IQ, analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. “I knew the Lakers could do this and this and this, and I thought Houston could do this,” he explained. “They’re not going to hit us player for player or play for play or toughness for toughness.”
Despite his confidence in the Celtics’ ability to win against Houston, McHale acknowledged that he would have preferred to face the Lakers. “It was an inevitability in my mind that we were just going to win. I would have much rather beaten the Lakers, but Houston was there, so we were going to beat them,” he recalled.
The Celtics went on to defeat the Rockets in the 1986 NBA Finals, winning the series in six games. McHale played a crucial role in their victory, averaging 25 points and 9.5 rebounds per game throughout the series.
The rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers is one of the most storied in NBA history. The two teams have faced each other a record 12 times in the NBA Finals, with the Celtics winning nine of those matchups. The 1986 NBA Finals marked the 11th time the Celtics and Lakers met in the championship round.
McHale’s desire to face the Lakers in the 1986 NBA Finals is a testament to the intensity and competitiveness of the rivalry. Both teams were known for their star-studded lineups and fierce battles on the court.
While McHale may have missed out on the opportunity to face the Lakers in ’86, his impact on the Celtics’ success cannot be understated. He played alongside Larry Bird and Robert Parish, forming one of the most dominant frontcourts in NBA history.
Looking back, McHale’s regret serves as a reminder of the passion and desire that players have to compete against the best. Even though he believed the Celtics would have easily defeated the Lakers, the opportunity to face their arch-rivals would have added an extra level of excitement and motivation.
The Celtics-Lakers rivalry continues to captivate fans to this day. While McHale’s regret may linger, his contributions to the Celtics’ legacy and his place in the Basketball Hall of Fame are testaments to his greatness as a player.
