NBA Notes: Houston Rockets Coach Kevin McHale Makes History

In coaching the Houston Rockets to a quarterfinal series victory vs the Los Angeles Clippers, in which his team overcame a (3-1) series deficit, Rockets’ coach Kevin McHale became the first person in NBA history to both coach and play on a team to accomplish such a come-from-behind feat.

McHale was a great player, playing on three NBA championship teams with the Boston Celtics, including the 1981 team that overcame a (3-1) series deficit in the semi-finals, to beat the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 1981, in a game six I recall staying up to about 2 am to watch (as it was a “delayed tape” broadcast beginning 3 plus hours later than the 8 pm start). McHale’s Celtics overcame a 17 point deficit, I believe in the second quarter.

This year McHale’s Rockets incredibly overcame a 19 point late third quarter deficit for a road victory in game six on the road.

By the way McHale and the Celtics went on to win the 1981 NBA title and as was the case in 1986, the team they beat in the NBA finals was the Houston Rockets.

Kevin McHale as a Celtic

Kevin McHale as a Coach