"[Expletive], come on," Kevin McHale winced. "[Antoine] Walker and [Paul] Pierce are good players. But give me a break. They couldn't carry Larry Bird's jock around. I hope the standard hasn't changed that much. If you win championships, then you become great. You don't become great if you don't win championships. You are considered great when you win. Bill Russell, [Bob] Cousy, [John] Havlicek, [Dave] Cowens, Jo Jo [White], the Jones boys [K.C. and Sam] -- that's elite company. You win some championships, then you mention their names. Prior to that, it's a tad premature."
--February 2002
On Sunday McHale was asked if Paul Pierce deserved to be ranked among the Celtics greats now that he's won a championship.
"Last time I looked," McHale said, "I didn't see an oracle above my head. I don't worry about that stuff."
Years ago, McHale insisted that Pierce and Antoine Walker couldn't carry Larry Bird's jockstrap because they hadn't won any titles.
"Where do you guys dig this stuff up?"
--February 2009
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