Robert Parish (Part 2)

Robert Parish's decision to stay at Centenary College despite the controversy surrounding his eligibility showcased his loyalty to the institution and his commitment to doing what he believed was right. Despite the potential opportunities in the professional ranks and the possibility of gaining more publicity by transferring to another college, Parish remained steadfast in his decision to honor his commitment to Centenary.
While professional scouts recognized Parish's exceptional physical skills, they were divided in their interpretations of his decision to stay at Centenary. Some saw it as a demonstration of loyalty, while others questioned whether it was evidence of poor decision-making on his part.
Parish himself maintained that he chose not to transfer because Centenary had done nothing wrong, and he expressed no regrets about his decision. His commitment to his college and his belief in standing by his principles speak volumes about his character and integrity.


Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding his collegiate career, Parish's performance on the court was exceptional. He averaged impressive numbers throughout his 108-game career at Centenary, including 21.6 points and 16.9 rebounds per game overall and 24.8 points and 18 rebounds per game as a senior. His outstanding senior season earned him recognition as a first-team All-American by The Sporting News.
In 2018, after a formal appeal from Centenary College, the NCAA made the decision to recognize Parish's records and include them in the NCAA Record Book. This acknowledgment was a fitting tribute to Parish's remarkable collegiate career and the impact he had on Centenary's basketball program.


Robert Parish began his professional basketball career after being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1976 NBA draft. Prior to joining the Warriors, he had also been drafted by the Utah Stars in the 1973 ABA Special Circumstances draft and by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1975 ABA draft.
Parish's tenure with the Warriors coincided with a period of decline for the team, which had won the NBA championship in 1975, just two seasons before Parish's rookie year. However, during his time with the Warriors, the team struggled, failing to make the playoffs from 1978 to 1980.


Reflecting on his experience with the Warriors, Parish expressed frustration with the losing streak and the blame he received as the No. 1 draft pick. He felt that basketball was a team sport and that the team's struggles were not solely his responsibility. Parish described the Warriors as an assembly of misfits with too much independent thinking, where players focused more on themselves than on the team's success.
Despite the team's difficulties, Parish performed well individually during his time with the Warriors. Over 307 games spanning four seasons, he averaged 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. Despite his personal success, Parish was eager for a change and an opportunity to compete at a higher level.


After Dave Cowens retired and Larry Bird was set to begin his second NBA season, the Boston Celtics found themselves holding the number one overall pick in the 1980 NBA draft. On June 9, 1980, Celtics president Red Auerbach orchestrated a pre-draft trade with the Golden State Warriors. In exchange for the Celtics' top overall pick and an additional first-round pick, the Warriors sent Robert Parish and their first-round pick, the third overall, to the Celtics. With that pick, the Celtics selected Kevin McHale. The Warriors then used the first pick to select Joe Barry Carroll.
Reflecting on the trade in hindsight, Parish admitted to being initially surprised but ultimately thrilled about the move. He described it as going "from the (penitentiary) to the penthouse" and believed that being traded to the Celtics changed the trajectory of his career.


Parish went on to play 14 seasons with the Celtics from 1980 to 1994, winning three NBA titles (1981, 1984, and 1986) alongside Bird and McHale. The trio formed "The Big Three" and is widely regarded as one of the greatest frontcourts in NBA history. Parish, Bird, and McHale were all named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
During his time with the Celtics, Parish earned the nickname "the Chief," given to him by former Celtics forward Cedric Maxwell due to his stoic nature. Parish's contributions to the Celtics were significant, as he became the franchise's all-time leader in blocked shots, offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds. Over 1,106 games with the Celtics, Parish averaged a double-double of 16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting an impressive 55.2% from the floor.

References

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