CORNELIUS, N.C. — He was always the mystery man in the middle, 00 on a team where 33 drew the spotlight and 32 the laughs, a proudly impassive, hugely talented, ever elusive presence.
Robert Parish, “The Chief,” rarely talked to the media and never hung around with Celtics teammates after a game. Associates say he would not answer his phone, letting messages go to voicemail. After leaving the team in 1994, he let his connection to the Green fray and fade, even to the point of selling off his 1986 world championship ring for spending money.
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Gee Chief, didn't the Celtics pay you when you played for them? What do they owe you today? You sound like sour grapes, looking for a hand out with an asking price too high. Get in the door, and show what you got, and maybe 80K and your work ethic will do you fine. Yesterday is over, make today the best day.
Loved him on the court but he comes across as a loser. No one owes him a thing.
Aside from the money squandered, which the rest of us mere mortals cannot fathom, there is much in this story which is epidemic in todays world, particularly with men. Work relationships not translating into good and enduring friendships. Disconnection and loneliness, particularly as the first AARP magazine in the mailbox becomes a distant memory. A desire to be useful, and not having a way to do it. Compensation offers which are a fraction of earlier earnings. But when earlier earnings never reached the $80K range in the first place, the new offering is to be a greeter at Walmart, or less. We as a society are going to have serious problems to solve as the demographic bulge of boomers trudges through the twilight years.
In other words some men have monster ego's.
he needs a job with a substantial six-to-seven-figure salary....
Me Too!
Loved watching the chief play....but if he blew 24 million, he should have thankfully accepted that 80K.
Everything comes at a price. Work ethic, and swallowing your pride from 80K, could have lead to many open doors for an NBA hall of fame player.
Cheif...I sure you were front of mind when McHale had a dying daughter...are you f'ing kidding me? Yea, I thought you were great. But while you were pushing everyone away and getting your pot through fed-ex, you should have thought about this day.
Like most managerial jobs coaching positions don't just get handed to you.
I wish I hadn't read this. I'd have preferred not to have seen this side of one of my beloved Celtics. He doesn't get it. After every complaint he makes, he claims he's not complaining. Even his being caught in bed with another women was twisted as his wife provoking him. Good lord. There is little doubt in my mind that most players at these levels and most, if not all successful people have monster ego's, so we should be surprised by his answers I suppose. All the same, he should read the posts ahead of mine and learn some very valuable lessons.
TOTALLY agree. He begins by saying he takes responsibility then blames others for his misfortunes. And selling off all of his memorabilia reeks of someone who has no respect for the profession. If this was his PR guy's idea to get him sympathetic to the public it failed miserably.
A monster ego is right, but a media-created one. There were athletes at other times and in other sports just as skilled and hard-woking; modern basketball players are different. They are entertainers in a global mdia market, successful because it rovides lots of action and imposes no intellectual or physical demands on the viewers. The players fool themselves into thinking that their pay-scale is "just rewards" rather than a market bubble.
Sorry Chief! You were great to watch! A great teammate by all accounts, and a great player too! Also a Great Celtic! But, it's time to wake up and smell the roses! Nobody cares what you did, it's what you've done lately. And I haven't seen any desire on your part to do anything but complain. I hope it isn't about race in the next article, but it wouldn't surprise me. You have to go out and try to do something about it, nobody owes you anything. $80,000, Jesus! Most people would be drooling to get that much, and work for the Celtics?! Surely you jest! Come on Robert, get a life, please!
Parish was one of the greats, no question, but I agree with others - he comes across here as something of a whiny, entitled has-been. I wish I didn't even read this story. It makes me sad. I always thought his quiet, out of the spotlight demeanor on the Celtics was kind of graceful and cool. I guess I was wrong. It's awful to see that he feels like the NBA owes him something.
Chief is still smokin the cheeba
Wow, am I not sympathetic to his plight. I was always a fan of Parish but now he comes across as an entitled, out of touch whiner. Eeeek.
What a pathetic Richard
Doesn't sound like someone who is complaining or whining or entitled. Just like someone who is looking for a job. Look at his picture. Have you ever seen him smile like that? Seems pretty happy. He doesn't sound bitter. He's not playing the role of a victim.
Really...the negativiity from the other comments is unwarranted. Did you read the article? I pasted in some quotes below in case you missed them.
-"There’s no need in crying about that now. I’m not making no excuses ’cause I’m to blame. I enjoyed it. I don’t want to come across as Poor Robert."
-"I want to make it clear, I’m not whining, and the Celtics owe me nothing."
-"I’m not making no excuses ’cause I’m to blame. I enjoyed it."
-“There’s no need in crying about that now. I’m not making no excuses ’cause I’m to blame. I enjoyed it. I don’t want to come across as Poor Robert.’’
-“I appreciate the love and the concern. I’ve never questioned their love or their loyalty to me. Boston treated me exceptionally well. I have no complaints about the fans or the Celtics organization. I feel like I got a fair shake. All love from both sides, hopefully. I know there’s nothing but love from my side.”
He comes off as a man of integrity. Its not disappointing.
Oops, wrong lady/gentleman..."The lady'' (gentleman) ''doth protest too much, methinks...''
Yeah, some people are just jealous, need to criticize anyone successful. Clearly, The Chief did not seek out this interview, was instigated by Grossfeld. Parish comes off as the same person he always was, honorable, prideful, quiet. As for the coaching, the NBA has changed so much since the 80s, not sure his abilities would fit in that well. Look at Bird, he's long gone from the bench. McHale is not all that successful anymore either. I just don't see Parish yacking it up in the TV studio, he's no Charles Barkley (thank God). I can understand Parish not wanting to be the assistant coach of the Reading HS Girls Team, but sounds like he really needs a better agent.
And it is kind of ironic that Stan Grossfeld sought out and wrote the article. Here's a guy who has won two Pulitzer Prizes for Photography, but that was nearly 30 years ago. Since then, coasting along, his tenure at the Globe more or less assured.
Casey Stengel once said, some old players only learn how to say "hello" when they should be learning how to say "goodbye." It sounds like Chief only now is learning how to say "hello." But 59 years of age is VERY LATE to break into coaching. Did Chief ever think of starting lower, like in the college level, and working his way up? An 80,000 / year PR job -- which basically means, making speeches at events -- was another way of starting.
"The lady'' (gentleman) ''doth protest too much, methinks...''
Bur FIRST, he needs to pay his FAIR SHARE in Taxes, according to Liberals everywhere. Notice that he doesn't live in Taxachusetts now.
At least liberals know how to read. According to The Chief, in this article, too cold in Massachusetts. Sorry, Miker6, but with every single post, you appear stupider and stupider. You'd probably fit in better in a lower tax, lower educated state, maybe Alabama, Mississippi.
"stupider and stupider" sounds really stupid.
Good article Mr Grossfeld. A lifetime loner who can't understand why no one is there for him. A guy who made $24 million playing basketball who now "needs money", has sold all his honors from that industry career and he doesn't know that IS A a record of management skill. Why would anyone give him a management job?
Like others I wish in a way that I didn't read this. But the person portrayed in this article would require a very dumb franchise to give him a job.
Larry Bird would not help his first born child.
I also wish I had not read this...a teacher with an MA and twenty years experience does not make 80 grand per year let alone 24 million! Does he even understand how ridiculous he sounds?
Does anyone else detect possible mental illness regarding Parish?
Not really feeling bad for Robert. He should be living very well on savings from his career. Shoe blew it and now wants a bail out. Maybe he should consider coaching for a high school or college?
I need a six or seven figure salary. Sow what you reap Robert.
Wife beating POS has what he deserves - nothing.