When the former Celtics teammates didn’t pick up his calls, Parish seemed irritated.
Throughout the 1980s, a number of players became stars and were instrumental in the Boston Celtics’ dominance as the best team in the East.
The friendship between Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, and Robert Parish was the main factor of their success. But as these pillars of the court retired, their dynamic shifted.
What most infuriated Parish?
What most infuriated Parish?
Parish, who had been a member of the Celtics’ Big 3 for the longest, made the appropriate decision to retire from the NBA after 21 years of service. But in the end, “The Chief” chose to go back to coaching basketball, taking a job as head coach of the USBL expansion team Maryland Mustangs. Sadly, the squad disbanded after barely a year, which motivated Robert to look for other coaching chances
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Financially struggling and in desperate need of an NBA coaching assignment, the four-time NBA champion with a wealth of experience reached out to his old teammates, Bird and McHale, who were working in front offices at the time, to see if there was a position available. Unfortunately, none of them ever got back to the 7’1″ center.
I don’t have any buddies in my situation. Kevin and I met at an event. He promised to give me a call. He didn’t make any calls. When Larry was with the Indiana Pacers, I gave him two phone calls. I called him, but he never picked up. Not just Larry, either. The majority of NBA teams, in general, don’t get back to you,” Parish added. “Just to obtain a call back from these firms, you need a court order. They don’t have me in their fraternity.”
Parish, looking for coaching jobs, expected support from Danny Ainge, the Boston Celtics’ then-head of basketball operations. Sadly, such help was never forthcoming. Robert confessed not being a part of any of their “inner circle,” even if he didn’t take it personally.
McHale and Larry stood up for themselves.
Giving his opinion, Larry Legend said he had met Parish but insisted the native of Louisiana had never inquired about a job.
In a similar vein, McHale claimed that during Robert’s time in Minnesota, he attempted to get him a coaching position. Regretfully, there were no vacancies due to the franchise cutting workers.
It’s unfortunate to learn that the three basketball legends didn’t carry on their friendship after their playing careers, even if their great synergy on the court brought them a great deal of success. But sometimes that’s just how life works out.
