Old-School Comparison Column: Kevin McHale or James Worthy - Take Your Pick

Alright sports fans, I am back with another one of my Old-School Comparison Columns, this time, an in-depth look at two of the greatest forwards in NBA history - the Boston Celtics' Kevin McHale and Los Angeles Lakers' 'Big Game' James Worthy - Hall of Famers in every sense of the word.

First, I will take a brief look at each player's respective career before providing my own analysis and gut-wrenching decision on which player I believe was the better overall player.

With a brand new NBA season set to get underway shortly, let's get busy.

Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale was a 6-10 power forward that played for the Boston Celtics for 13 seasons from 1980-81 to 1992-93, helping the franchise to reach the NBA Finals five times while winning three NBA Championships along the way in 1981, 1984 and 1986.

The gangly McHale came off the bench for the better part of his first five seasons in the league, but then combined with small forward Larry Bird and center Robert Parrish in the starting lineup to form arguably the best frontcourt trio in NBA history, winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award in consecutive season, (1983-84 and 1984-85).

McHale played in seven consecutive all-star games from 1984 to 1991, leading the league in shooting percentage in 1987 and 1988, draining an incredible 60.4 percent of his shots each season.

Six times in his career, McHale, a first-team All-Rookie selection, was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team.

In 1986-87, McHale was the first NBA player in league history to make over 60 percent of his field goals and 80 percent of his free throws, winning the league's Defensive Player of the Year award the same season.

With nagging injuries taking its toll, McHale retired following the 1992-93 season.

In 971 regular season games, McHale averaged 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds and in 169 career playoff contests, he averaged 18.8 points and 7.4 rebounds.

McHale ranks ninth in NBA history in career field goal percentage (55.4 percent) and is the Celtics' leader in career games played, points scored and rebounding.

McHale' had his number 32 jersey retired by the Celtics in 1994 and was selected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

James Worthy

James Worthy was a 6-9 small forward who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 12 seasons, from 1982-83 to 1993-94 after helping the University of North Carolina to win the 1982 NCAA Championship in his senior season, along with a freshman guard by the name of Michael Jordan.

The first overall pick in the 1982 draft, Worthy helped the team win three NBA championships in 1985, 1987 and 1988 and earned a unanimous selection to the 1983 NBA All-Rookie first team.

Worthy also was named the MVP of the 1988 Finals, unfurling a 36-point, 16-rebound, 10-assist masterpiece in L.A.'s Game 7 win, helping earn him the name, 'Big Game James' by famed Lakers' announcer Chick Hearn.

Worthy played in 926 NBA games, compiling impressive career averages of 17.6 points per game on 52.1 percent shooting from the field and 5.1 rebounds per game. Sure enough, he lived up to his now-famous nickname, by increasing his output when it counted most, averaging 21.1 points per game in the postseason.

Elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, Worthy had his number 42 jersey retired by the Lakers shortly after he retired following the 1993-94 season.

Analysis: Writing this 'Old-School' comparison column brought back some serious memories for me, but unfortunately, I have to make a decision on which player was the better of the two.

To be brutally honest about it, the decision wasn't as hard as I initially thought it would be when I sat down to write this column as I firmly believe that Kevin McHale was the better of the two players, (not to take anything away from Worthy).

Looking back at the distinct dynamics of the two players it's easy for me to remember that Kevin McHale had -and still possesses - the greatest footwork of any low post player in league history!

While McHale could create shots for himself from any spot in the low post with a vast array of often-dizzying moves, I think Worthy benefited a lot from playing alongside Magic Johnson during the Lakers famous, 'Showtime' era, often finishing with thunderous dunks off of Johnson's now-you-see-me, now-you-don't passes.

Worthy was not a particularly effective player out on the floor beyond 12-14 feet and could often be contained if the player guarding him stopped his drives to the basket.

As far as defense and rebounding are concerned, I don't think the matchup is even close as McHale was clearly the better rebounder and defensive player, (unless he was guarding Charles Barkley), not to mention free-throw shooter.

So, in conclusion, let me make it perfectly clear that Kevin McHale wins this matchup against James Worthy hands down.

My Pick: Kevin McHale