Hall-of-Fame big man and Celtics legend Robert Parish was in Boston to promote his new memoir "The Chief: The Story of the Boston Celtics' Most Enigmatic Icon," and made an appearance at TD Garden to take in the Celtics 120-99 win over the Golden State Warriors.
"The Chief" has yet to meet Joe Mazzulla but did learn in a live interview with the media Wednesday night that the C's coach has a love for martial arts, to which Parish believes that explains a lot when it comes to Mazzulla's intensity.
"That explains why he don't take no shit," Parish told reporters pregame. "One thing the arts 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 in the skills, that you can take care of yourself
"That would explain that tough persona that he gives off, because when you know that -- most people -- you can kick their butts, you get a certain arrogance about you and confidence. I'm speaking from experience."
These 2025-26 Celtics have demonstrated that they don't lack confidence, proving time and time again they can play with anyone regardless if Jayson Tatum is in the lineup or not. While the addition of Tatum has put the C's back in title picture, it's been the leadership of Jaylen Brown plus, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta accepting and excelling in their roles as the biggest reason for having the Eastern Conference's second best record at 46-23.
According to Parish, taking on Mazzulla's personality, mixed with the absence of Tatum is what has made the Celtics mentally strong up to this point with the playoffs right around the corner.
"And I think that's one of the main reasons they are successful, other than taking on the coach's personality," Parish said. "Because he don't take no crap and these Celtics don't take no crap, so I like that about them.
"I've never met the man. I've just been watching 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, no he's serious and I like that. It kind of reminds me of Bill Fitch. That tough love. I like that."
That's high praise from Parish to Mazzulla, who has been able manage the multitude of role players that have stepped up in Tatum's absence -- something the three-time Celtics champion says has not gone unnoticed, as the rotation has had to change throughout the season.
"Obviously he has people skills because if he didn't have people skills I don't think his players would buy into his philosophy, his concept of what they have," Parish said. "I think it's very important to give those guys that don't play a lot 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 those guys realize that."
When Mazzulla was asked about what Parish had to say about him, the Celtics coach gave the credit to his players, who are the ones that are applying the teamwork, but being able to get the best out of them has always been part of his job.
"Just feeding off of them," Mazzulla said to reporters. "I think when you have a group of guys that care about winning, as a coach you just feed off of what they do. They're the ones that bring it every night and you kind of just feed off of that."
"This job wouldn't be what it was if the people before us didn't do what they did, and Robert Parish is at the top of that list," Mazzulla added. "What he has done as a player, what he has done in this city, what he's done for basketball -- when you take this job, when you have to show up, you realize the gratitude perspective that comes with it. It's our responsibility to move it forward they way that they did. So really, just a ton of gratitude for him and his teammates and to those that have come before us to make this job and the city what it is. It was great saying hi to him and I really appreciate him."
Parish went on to win three championships with the Celtics and one with the Michael Jordan-led Bulls in 1997 before calling it a career, he says it was Larry Bird that set his ego aside in order for his teammates to follow suit throughout the era that the C's dominated in the 1980s.
While Parish celebrated the Celtics most recent championship in 2024, "The Chief" says the 1986 championship roster -- which many consider one of the greatest of all time -- would beat them, noting that the 24' team wouldn't have an answer for their Sixth-Man of the Year in Bill Walton.
Still, Parish can appreciate how these current Celtics are playing, while also giving them their flowers.
"Today's Celtics, they win collectively. It's not one person doing the work," Parish said. "They're winning and being successful collectively as a team, and I respect that."
Joel Pavón
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