If there is anything that holds its weight in the NBA, it is its reputation. Throughout the league’s history, reputation has broken just as many careers as it’s made. We’ve seen superstars’ careers cut short and far less talented players etch out fruitful journeys because of how they’re perceived around the league.
While some reputations write themselves, others are often misrepresented or convoluted by the mainstream media for various reasons. Unfortunately, when it bleeds into the NBA community after being broadcast throughout the media, there’s usually very little a player can do to reverse their reputation.
However, Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish was one of those players who did it.
Character questions
Parish was traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Celtics in 1980, and it was just what the doctor ordered for the Eastern Conference powerhouse. He became a key cog in the Celtics system as the third member of their “Big Three” alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. The dividends paid off basically immediately, as Boston rolled off three titles between 1981 and 1984, led by their three-headed monster.
Before their success, there were questions, though, especially when it came to Parish and his approach to the game, even though in 307 appearances over four seasons, he averaged 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks with the Warriors. The talent was evidently always there — it always is with high-drafted lottery picks — but his laid-back nature didn’t always rub people the wrong way.
Early on in his career, Parish was labelled lazy and uncommitted to winning, but the Celtics’ brain trust was still willing to bring him in and bank on what he brought to the table. The price was steep, and as the franchise lost Dave Cowens and was gearing up for Bird’s sophomore season. They made the brave decision to trade the number one pick in 1980 for Parish.
Ultimately, it’s lucky they did, but Parish never forgot what people were saying about him when he first arrived.
“When I came here, I had a reputation of not caring and being lackadaisical. Maybe it’s my demeanor, you know, like I said, I’m not emotional, I don’t have a lot of expressions, you know, in my face, so maybe that’s a reason why people are saying that I’m lackadaisical,” he said.
Incredibly misunderstood
Even with the explosion of social media and the emergence of podcasts, players’ reputations are largely in the hands of those covering the league. If you ask the likes of DeMarcus Cousins and Michael Beasley, they’ll tell you that they were slowly but surely pushed out because of their reputation. They’ll tell you that the decision makers ignored what they produced on the court, and decided there were cancers in the locker room that had no place in the Association.
It’s easy to feel that way when you’re in an ego-driven environment, but the reality is they also didn’t do themselves any favors.
Beasley was consistently unprofessional throughout his career, and as for Cousins, there is plenty of footage available that creates his own demise. In more ways than one, they write their own stories. After all, reputations aren’t built out of thin air.
Looking back now, it would be unfair to put Parish in that same category. In truth, there was no contention in his ability to sacrifice for the team and grow into the ultimate team player for a roster trying to win. The Celtics weren’t an isolated period either. In the 1996-1997 season, Parish made his way to the Chicago Bulls as a veteran presence on a team with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Parish could have easily walked in the door and attempted to call the shots or puff out his chest and show off his jewelry, but he didn’t. Instead, he dedicated himself to being a positive influence on his teammates. He didn’t claim to have all the answers or boast that he had the most experience; he just played his part on and off the floor, and it resulted in him collecting his fourth championship.
While this was in the twilight of his career, it’s important not to forget Parish was a top 75 player all-time for a reason. Nine-time All-Star, All-NBA performer, 23,334 points and ultimately, one squeaky-clean reputation to go with it.