Grampa Celtic Talks Double Zero

Coaches and general managers value dazzling short-term performance from their players. Goes without saying.

But coaches and general managers might value consistent long-term performance even more.

From 1980-81, his first year with the Celtics, through 1992-93, his 13th, Robert Parish had the following high-low range in his shooting percentage: High, .589 (1987-88), low, .535, in both 1991-92 and 1992-93.

And if you saw him play, you know that a very significant percentage of the 7,111 field goals he scored over that 13-year span were not dunks or layups. They were turnaround jumpers, face-up jumpers, or running hooks. He was, by the standards of any era, an absolutely tremendous shooter.

He was The Chief, and he was indispensable. He was the most reliable of employees, missing only 39 games in 14 full seasons as a member of the Celtics. The record will show that the Celtics won fewer games when they did not have Robert Parish in the lineup than when either Larry Bird or Kevin McHale was missing.

He anchored three championship teams. He played in nine All-Star Games. Oh, and did you know that he played in more NBA games than anyone else (1,611, plus 184 playoff games)? Well, he did.

So what do you think? Do you feel it's a good idea to have Robert Parish honored next Wednesday evening at TD Garden in the 11th New England Sports Museum bash known as The Tradition?


I do.