Rejecting a 60-point substitute, willing to be a supporting role and become a historical power forward, nicknamed the former Rockets coach of the refrigerator

He is one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, but he has been playing as a substitute for 60% of his career; he has never become the leader of the team, but he has made everyone believe that if he changes a team, he must be a first-line superstar. He was so calm that he gave up the opportunity to score 60 points, but he postponed the operation for a fierce playoff game, causing him to limp in the second half of his life. Kevin McHale, this man wearing the No. 32 jersey, wrote a myth that "a substitute can become a legend" with low profile and sacrifice.

When it comes to McHale, the birth of the Celtics' "Big Three Front Field". In the 1980 draft, Cardinal Auerbach used a magical move: to send the No. 1 pick to the Warriors, exchange for the Tanhua lottery and center Parish, and then select McHale with the Tanhua lottery. Overnight, the Celtics gathered together the three giants of Larry Bird, Parish and McHale, and won the championship the following year.

But at that time, McHale was just a rookie who averaged less than 20 minutes per game, and he didn't start firmly until the sixth year of his career. In the first five years, he was willing to be a substitute, twice elected the Sixth Man, and even selected as an All-Star as a substitute - an extremely rare in NBA history. Teammate Bird once puzzled: "He can score 56 points in a single game, but he took the initiative to leave with time left in the game and gave up the opportunity to break 60 points." McHale felt: "Where is more important than the team's personal data to win?"

McHale's horror is hidden in his low-post skills. As a 2.08m power forward, he shot up to 60.4% in two consecutive seasons, leading the league. His steps are unpredictable: turning around, swaying, hooking, jumping shots, and always finding room for attack in the gaps of defenders. No one in the league can really limit him at the low post, so fans call the low post he ruled as the "torture room".

He never shows off his talent, but he crazily polishes his skills in training. "I like to tell people that summer has done nothing," he joked, "but performance can't deceive people." It is this low-key diligence that has made him step by step from a substitute to the league's top inside line, one for the Best Team and three for the Best Team.

In March 1987, McHale broke his right sabule against the Bulls, and the doctor warned: "The surgery must be on hold, otherwise his career may be jeopardized." But the playoffs are imminent, and he chose to ignore the warning and play with injuries - he played two consecutive tiebreaks and survived six finals. After the season, he underwent surgery on his right foot and ankle, but he missed the best treatment time, leaving lifelong sequelae: his feet were unevenly under force and he could only drag one leg on the court. When he retired at the age of 35, his legs and feet were already seriously inconvenient, but he brought three championship rings, the honors of 50 and 75 big stars, which were undisputedly recorded in history. After retiring, McHale became the general manager of the Timberwolves. In the 1995 draft, he beat the crowd and selected high school student Kevin Garnett with the fifth pick. In Garnett's heart, McHale is the "teacher and father": teach him to integrate into the professional league and teach him his life's low-post skills - Garnett's agile footsteps and turn jump shots all carry McHale's shadow.

In 2007, when Garnett's career was in a bottleneck, McHale gave his disciple the final assist: contact his old teammate Angie, trade Garnett back to the Celtics, and help him realize his dream of winning. "He never talks much, but he always asks you at critical moments." Garnett later recalled.

Celtics team reporter Odward once said: "If you change the team, McHale will be the greatest player in team history." But he never thought of leaving, giving all the light to Bird, and leaving all the sacrifices to himself.

That lame leg was his most hardcore confession to basketball: his calmness was never without ambition, but just hiding his love after the team's victory. As the teammate said, "McHell, who created the 'torture room', is the most unique basketball player in the world."