"There were no weaknesses" - Charles Barkley named a surprising 80s superstar as the best player he has ever faced - RAW CHILI

Charles Barkley will forever be remembered as one of the most imposing rebounders in league history. Standing at just 6-foot-6, he thrived in what many consider the most physical era in the paint, going toe-to-toe with some of the all-time greats.

Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Chuck shared locker rooms and courts with legends like Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing — he truly saw it all.

However, when asked who the best player he ever faced was, Barkley gave a surprising answer: three-time NBA champion Kevin McHale.

“Kevin McHale, bar none. You had to hope he was missing,” Barkley said in a 1993 interview with “Playboy”. “You couldn’t stop him. In his prime, he was the best. He was too big for me and everybody on him, whether it was Moses or Bobby Jones. That Celtics front line was the greatest front line ever to play the game. There were no weaknesses.”

McHale would be a perennial MVP candidate on almost any other team

The Boston Celtics legend was one of the most offensively skilled power forwards to ever play the game. Yet McHale successfully put his ego aside to let Larry Bird lead the Celtics dynasty.

During Bird’s peak, McHale posted five consecutive seasons averaging at least 20 points per game. This culminated in the 1986-87 season, when he was virtually unstoppable, averaging 26.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks while shooting a staggering 60.4 percent from the field and 83.6 percent from the free-throw line.

On any other team of that era, the Minnesota native could have easily been the primary option and a perennial MVP candidate. Instead, his team-first approach saw him transition from a two-time Sixth Man of the Year to an All-NBA First Team selection almost overnight.

Offensively, Kevin’s elite footwork, post technique, and soft touch around the rim made him a fan favorite. His style complemented Larry and Robert Parish perfectly, forming what Charles called “the greatest front line in history”.

Barkley faced McHale 35 times throughout their careers. In those matchups, the Boston forward averaged 20.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks on 58.4 percent shooting.

Barkley isn’t alone in his assessment, as Julius “Dr. J” Erving believed there were many nights when McHale was actually the best player on the floor for Boston.

“It was a tremendous opponent to have to [face], with those big square shoulders. As awkward as he might have seemed sometimes on the court, he always knew where he was going and knew what he was doing. He was probably the most feared guy in Boston by the 76ers,” Erving said. “You knew, if I beat Bird or Maxwell, McHale was gonna be there… There were many a night when he was the MVP in Boston.”

McHale was always one step ahead of his opponents

McHale’s name should never be overlooked when discussing the greatest big men of all time. While his career statistics might not make you jump out of your seat, you only need to watch one game to witness the “Black Hole’s” pure offensive class.

The fact that Barkley, a man who survived countless wars with the most dominant centers in history, consistently cites McHale as the toughest opponent to ever give him a headache speaks volumes. In an era of extreme physicality, the 6-foot-10 forward was always one step ahead with his skill — a level of craft that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s game.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“There were no weaknesses” – Charles Barkley named a surprising 80s superstar as the best player he has ever faced