Robert Parish - The Chief

Robert Lee Parish (born August 30, 1953(1953-08-30) in Shreveport, Louisiana) is a retired American basketball center. He was known for his strong defense and jump shooting, and was elected in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. In 1997, Parish was also named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

After a modest career at Centenary College of Louisiana, Parish was drafted in the first round of the 1976 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, before being sent to the Boston Celtics. He compared his transition from Golden State to Boston in a televised quote where he jokingly said it was like going from an outhouse to a penthouse. Playing 14 years with the Celtics from 1980 to 1994, Parish led the league in rebounding and blocks per game during his first three years. He also won three NBA titles (1981, 1984 and 1986) teaming with legendary small forward Larry Bird and power forward Kevin McHale. The trio is regarded by many as the best frontcourt in NBA history and was dubbed the "Big Three".

He was known as a versatile center, using his impressive 7'0 size and speed to contain opposing players, launch precise shots from outside the paint, and finish fast breaks - the latter uncanny for a man of his stature. Fellow Hall of Famer and teammate from 1985-87 Bill Walton once called Parish the "greatest shooting big man of all time", perhaps because of Parish's field goal and free throw shooting ability, an unusual talent among most centers. His trademark was his high release jump shot, which traversed a very high arc before falling.

He played two more seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and then played his final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1996-97, which led to his fourth NBA title. At 43, he is the third oldest player to ever play an NBA game (to Nat Hickey of the Providence Steamrollers, and Kevin Willis of the Dallas Mavericks) and as of 2007 his 1,611 games played over 21 seasons are unmatched.

In honor of his achievements, the Celtics retired Parish's famous #00 jersey number in 1998 at halftime of a Celtics-Pacers game; this allowed Larry Bird, then head coach of the Pacers, to participate in the ceremony. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. In 1996, Parish, along with teammates Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Today, he remains active as the Celtics' team consultant and mentor for current Celtics' big men.

• Category

  Sports

[JR Robles]

Love the music. Makes me want to crank up the emulator find the rainbow shell so I can get that badass sword. "someone with heart, someone with tenacity, someone that plays the game with passion" -- Pretty good definition of "a beast"

[VeoShock]

Yea, me to. I love the music for this vid as well. It goes well with Robert cuz he was known as the Chief n Chief's r considered wise n leaders. He has a heart of a champion n is very durable and smart. A great defensive player as well as a solid scorer. A true hall of famer n NBA Super Star. Robert is clearly one of the best players to ever play in the NBA period.

[Hernia901]

Chrono Trigger and Old School Celtics... can't get much better than that.

[UnionKid15]

CHIEEEEEFFFFFFF!!!

[jobezg]

I like that music. What's the name of that song?

[terrybrass]

was hoping for a bit of that clip where Parish knocks out Bill Laimbeer with his forearms.

[hadmiar8]

dont mess with cheif!

[c3tr4]

yay square! chrono trigger, final fantasy.. games of my childhood!!

[tcufootballjh98]

"Born August 30, 1953, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Nationality - AMERICAN"

Look it up buddy, I'm not going to argue with you if you can't even do your research. Come on, man!

[rivenmclo]

no my friend hes 100% french.look at his name if u need extra proof

[tcufootballjh98]

....what are you talking about? He's 100 percent american

[Ryan Barton]

is this some mario music or something

[rivenmclo]

robert parish and cristophe dugarry are the two most influential french athletes of all time.