BOSTON — History and the Boston Celtics are synonymous. There is no Celtics organization without the players, coaches, and people who helped create the legacy we know today.
Robert Parish is one of those people.
The NBA Hall-of-Famer returned to Boston on Wednesday night for the Celtics’ game against the Golden State Warriors. He was never the most outspoken player, but now, he’s ready to share more about his off-the-court self.
Parish is releasing a memoir titled ‘The Chief,’ which will document his life story on and off the hardwood. From childhood to his days in the NBA and beyond.
What sparked this decision? A change in perspective.
“I'm a better person, first of all,” Parish said of what’s changed since his retirement. “I'm not as hard. I'm not as distant and dismissive as I used to be. So, that's one of the reasons why I thought it was time to do the memoir. Because I feel like I am softer. I'm not as anti-people as I used to be. So, I got to give my woman some love for that. She has definitely softened me up.
“So, that's why I feel like it was time to see through that window [of] who and what I am as a person, because a lot of people know about my accomplishments on the basketball court, but to give everybody a picture, a window, a glimpse [at] who I am as a person.”
Parish was a nine-time All-Star in Boston. He won three NBA Championships with the Celtics and is the NBA’s all-time leader in total games played at 1,611.
The Chief was a core member of one of the most iconic eras of Celtics basketball, and he sees a little bit of that squad in the current Boston group.
And he sees Joe Mazzulla as the main reason why.
“I think the two eras, coaching philosophies, or whatever you want to call it, mirror one another,” Parish said. “They have the right coach in place, because that's where it starts: With the coach. And the team has definitely taken on Joe's personality. That toughness, grinding it out on both ends of the court, take no prisoners. I like the fact that, another area they mirror us in, they play hard, they play smart, and they play together, and I like that.”
Parish met Mazzulla for the first time on Wednesday. After Parish spoke to reporters, Mazzulla introduced himself, and the two shared a small chat.
But before he even met the four-year Celtics head coach, Parish had all the respect in the world for the job he’s been doing.
“Never met the man. I'm just watching him from afar. And the vibe that he's giving off, seeing him on TV, and watching him when I've been in the building, watching him from afar, he's serious,” Parish said. “And I like that.
“Kind of reminds me of Bill Fitch. That tough love. I like that. Even though, obviously, he has people skills. Because if he didn't have the people skills, I don't think his players would buy into his philosophy, his concept, the way that they have. So, I definitely think Joe has people skills, because I think it's very important to give those guys that don't play a lot, give them some love.
“Make them feel important, make them feel wanted, make them feel like they're going to contribute at some point, so stay ready. It seems like these guys realize, and it appears that Joe subscribes to this philosophy: Don't give me a reason not to play you. And those guys seem to stay ready, one through 13. Everybody comes in and contributes, and there's no drop-off when the bench comes into the game. And I like and respect that.”
And Parish’s love for Mazzulla’s was taken to another level when he learned a new fun fact about the Celtics head coach.
Parish was informed that Mazzulla is a fan and practicing participant in martial arts. Immediately, his eyes lit up.
“I was not aware of that. That Mr. Mazzulla was studying the arts,” Parish said. “But that explains why he, excuse my language, don't take no shit. That would explain it, because one thing the art teaches you is that you can walk away. It teaches you to try to walk away first, because you have the confidence to handle yourself, and the skills that you can take care of yourself. And so, that would explain that tough persona that he gives off, because when you know that, most people, you can kick their butts, you got a certain arrogance about you, and confidence. And I'm speaking from experience. Because I can take care of myself.
“And that's one of the reasons why people have a tendency [to say that] he's arrogant, he's dismissive, he's distant. Martial arts. Only time I take shit when I choose to. And the martial arts allow you to do that, because you know you can take care of yourself. It gives you that confidence. That air about yourself. You give off that vibe.”
It’s been a team effort in Boston this season. Jaylen Brown led the way as Jayson Tatum recovered from his ruptured Achilles, but a byproduct of that was the Celtics changing their identity.
At least, a little bit.
That’s how Parish saw it.
Though Tatum’s injury obviously put the Celtics a step behind the eight-ball, Parish believes the entire process helped them rediscover