May 11, 2026, 8:00 a.m. ET
When one speaks of the greatest teams in the history of the NBA, one tends to think of squads like the version of the Golden State Warriors with Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of 1995-96, and the Boston Celtics from their 1986 title run.
And while there may be a throughline from that Dubs squad to the Bulls via Warriors coach Steve Kerr (and from the Bulls to Boston with Hall of Fame big man Robert Parish, if a season removed), the latter also sees a throughline in how they played. “Those teams mirrored how we played,” said Parish via Essentially Sports’ Mark Medina. “There was a lot of ball movement and a lot of body movement; there was solid coaching. That’s where it starts, with the coaching.”
“Every great team mirrors the coaching philosophy,” he added. “I think it would’ve been exciting — It would’ve been physical, too. If we had the same rules that we had back then when we were active players, it would be a more physical ballgame. There would be a lot more contact and less freedom of movement. I think that would add to the allure of the two teams competing.”
“I like the fact that the officials would let the players decide the outcome of the ballgame, not the officials making calls that they should not have called,” said the Chief.
“They would just let it go and let us play. Those are the best officials. They let the teams decide the outcome of the ballgame. That’s how we would’ve been adjudicated. They would let us decide who is going to win.”
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