For the longest time, I was a fan of the NBA and especially, the San Antonio Spurs. So, yeah, I knew who Parish was, and I was excited to learn more about his playing days. He won NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics (during the Bird era) and he also won one as a member of the Chicago Bulls (with Jordan). How cool is that. I mean, he may be the only player to win with rings with those two extremely talented players. His nickname is The Chief, and that stems from the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as one of the characters is named The Chief for his quietness.
Growing up outside of Shreveport, Louisiana, Parish went to Centenary College as he wanted to stay close to home to take care of his young daughter. The NCAA didn’t like it and punished the school because they knew something illegal must have happened (Parish says nothing illegal happened and he never told them about his daughter). How one of the top high school basketball players in the county chose that school and not LSU or Indiana (under Bobby Knight). Despite that, the team and Parish played on, he never once thought about transferring or jumping to the ABA (which tried several times to get him).
His parents taught him not to view other peoples appearance as different and despite being a 7 foot tall black man, it never really affected him. When he played in Golden State, he attended a gay pride parade in San Francisco (this was 1976 to 1980), and although he rarely saw some of the things happening, it didn’t bother him (he embraced it).
Parish didn’t go into a game-by-game recollection of what he did, as he focused more on the Playoffs, All Star games, and his multiple trips to the NBA Finals. He talked highly of his Celtic days and his friendship with Bill Walton (it was funny, because in the book, he was referred to as William). Walton did get Parish and a few other Celtic players to attend a Grateful Dead concert. Can you see Bird jamming to Jerry Garcia and company!
Parish played 21 years in the NBA, won multiple Championships, was an All Star for 9 seasons, was voted as a top 50 and top 75 player by the NBA, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Parish was a member of the Celtics when Len Bias was drafted (he passed away a few days after the draft) and when Reggie Lewis was on the team (he died as well). Parish thinks the Celtics would’ve won more championships with Bias and Lewis, and they could’ve easily become two of the GOATs! Lewis was already on his way.
Key Teammates of Parish:
Golden State Warriors (1976–1980): Jo Jo White, Bernard King, Rick Barry
Boston Celtics (1980–1994): Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Bill Walton, Cedric Maxwell, Tiny Archibald, Reggie Lewis, Dave Cowens, Red Auerbach (owner)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996): Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Del Curry (Steph’s dad)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997): Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoč, Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, Phil Jackson (coach)
I enjoyed his stories from being an NBA player and players he played with and against. Who is better Bird or Jordan? His favorite Celtics players. Who would win: 1986 Celtics or 1997 Bulls?
