'When we make a team decision that we're not going to lose, we seldom lose' - Kevin McHale kept the faith in the Celtics

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers showcased stellar rosters in the 1980s, which is why both franchises faced off for the NBA title several times. However, the critical element in those clashes was talent and availability.

In the 1987 season, health was a huge concern for Boston. Most of their key players, including Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge, and Bill Walton were injured. Regardless, Boston somehow managed to do just enough to reach the Finals against their archrivals.

The most important factor for the Celtics that season was that they were determined to do all they could to win another title. McHale stressed that the team committed to this and that they would fight until the very end.

“When we make a team decision that we're not going to lose, we seldom lose,” he said via UPI.

Odds heavily favored the Lakers

Surviving a rigorous 1986-87 regular season was an achievement for the Cs. They got past their Eastern Conference foes. But against a talented Lakers team, the chances of turning the tables on the Purple and Gold weren’t good.

McHale, Larry Bird, and Dennis Johnson tried to carry the fight for Boston, somehow negating the Lakers stars such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy. But in that series, it all boiled down to supporting the top stars.

Despite playing hurt, Ainge and Parish did what they could to help the Celtics. However, the Lakers got better support with Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, Mychal Thompson, and A.C. Green ably contributing on offense and defense.

The turning point

In the end, as most had predicted, the Lakers won it all in six games. However, the pivotal turn in that finals was the ending to Game 4, when Johnson made the game-winning hook shot over McHale and Parish, allowing LA to seize a commanding 3-1 series lead.

It is a shot that most remember to this day. Ironically, then-coach Pat Riley admitted that the 6-foot-9 guard was the Lakers’ second option in that play. Riles' call at the time was for Worthy to handle the ball.

“Worthy was our first option, with seven seconds left, if Michael could have gotten him the ball," Riley stated. "Johnson was our second and then Kareem."