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1985-86 Boston Celtics (4) vs. 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers (7) |
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Hall of Fame center explains why his 1985-86 Celtics were the best ever
Q&A With Robert Parish
 The all-time leader in games played, Parish spent 21 seasons in the NBA and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003.
Andrew D. Bernstein NBAE/Getty Images |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the '86-87 Lakers Vote for the All-Time Finals Challenge champion
Why would that '86 Celtics team beat the '87 Lakers squad?
Robert Parish: I think the play of the bench would be the difference. I think the starting fives would be a wash. But I feel like the difference would be the bench.
Why was the bench great?
Parish: You had Bill Walton, Scotty Wedman, Jerry Sichting -- we just had talent. And what was special about that talent was that they understood their roles. You know, that philosophy about role players? You don't need role players, you need players who understand their roles. And that's why that team was so special. We had All-Stars coming off that bench. They were willing to sacrifice their individual accolades for the team.
So they accepted their roles as secondary players where, for all intents and purposes, they could have gone somewhere else and been starters. You should give them a lot of credit and it's a testament to their character and lack of ego to be able to sacrifice those individual accolades for the team.
Did you know you guys were a great team or was it just basketball to you guys?
Parish: Just basketball. Looking back on it, I think the guys realized how great the teams were. We both had great fans, really supportive that gave us that energy, that lift, that inspiration to go out and bring home that ultimate prize. I feel privileged to be a part of that great legacy between the Lakers and the Celtics that started back with Chamberlain and Russell, then with Larry and Magic. To be a part of all that -- Kareem, Worthy, McHale -- it was a great time for the league and respective franchises.
How mentally and physically challenging were those series?
Parish: Very grueling. First of all, the regular season itself is grueling. Play 82, plus exhibition, then in the playoffs you have 15 or 16 games to play, so it's a long haul. When it comes to the playoffs you become a little mentally and physically fatigued. I think once you get past the first two rounds to the Eastern Conference finals on to the championship round, it boils down to a question of will, not skill.
Why was that '86 Celtics' team will stronger than other teams'?
Parish: I think it was a combination, we had talent, great coaching, we were healthy and Lady Luck was on our side. You gotta be lucky, too.
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Being 40-1 at home, did you feel you were destined to win the championship?
Parish: Without a doubt. When you roll in like that, losing doesn't even factor in to the equation. Winning breeds a certain amount of arrogance, confidence if you will.
Was Larry Bird a vocal leader or by example?
Parish: By example. Larry led by his play. The only time he was really vocal or boisterous was when he was speaking to the media. Then, he had a tendency to come across as outspoken and vocal. But among the teammates, he led by example.
What does it mean to you that fans and experts think so highly of that '86 Celtics team?
Parish: Actually, I look at it as a very large compliment because it's always nice to be appreciated and acknowledged for your hard work and the accomplishment. So I wear it like a badge of honor.
Was it the best team you ever played on?
Parish: Period.
