Robert Parish

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Boston Celtics number 00 jersey has only been worn by one player in the franchise’s history. That player was Robert Parish, one of the legendary players of the Boston Celtics. With the official retirement of the jersey number by the Boston Celtics, Robert Parish became the last player to wear it for the team.

As is known, the Boston Celtics have issued 68 different jersey numbers (as well as three other numbers not included in any number series) since their inception in 1946. More than 500 players have worn them. Of those 68 jersey numbers, 35 have been officially retired by the Boston Celtics. One of them is Robert Parish’s number 00.

Robert Parish, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 30, 1953, played college basketball for Centenary College. He was then selected by the Golden State Warriors with the eighth overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft.

The 2,15 meter tall player played for the Golden State Warriors for four seasons. After that, he was traded to the Boston Celtics in one of the most lopsided trades (in retrospect) and dubbed the “greatest steal” in NBA history.

Robert Parish

Why was the trade considered so lopsided? On June 9, 1980, the Boston Celtics acquired Robert Parish and the 1980 third-round draft pick (which was later used to select Kevin McHale). Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors received the 1980 first-round draft pick (used to select Joe Barry Carroll) and the 13th pick (used for Rickey Brown).

So where’s the lopsided factor? Unexpectedly, the Boston Celtics instantly acquired two Hall of Famers, or two of their future pillars: Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. The two of them, along with Larry Bird, formed the legendary “Big Three” that led the Boston Celtics to win 3 NBA championship titles (1981, 1984, 1986) in the 1980s.

Unlike the Golden State Warriors, who acquired a bust, a player who didn’t live up to expectations and was considered average. The Golden State Warriors used the number 1 pick for Joe Barry Carroll. Although Carroll had quite good individual statistics, he never made the Golden State Warriors a serious contender. Carroll is often considered a disappointing number 1 pick. Rickey Brown (13th pick) was also just a regular reserve.

Robert Parish

One mistake the Golden State Warriors made was doubting Robert Parish’s passion and intensity. Under Red Auerbach’s guidance at the Boston Celtics, the player nicknamed “The Chief” transformed into one of the best centers in NBA history. The nickname “The Chief” was given by Boston Celtics forward, Cedric Maxwell, after the nickname of a deaf Indian in the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

As a result of this trade, the Boston Celtics dominated the 1980s, while the Golden State Warriors remained a mid-table team. The Boston Celtics’ manager at the time, Red Auerbach, was often praised for his astuteness in “ripping off” the Golden State Warriors in that transaction.

Robert Parish played for the Boston Celtics for 14 seasons. He was a nine-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA team member, a key member of the team’s defense, and won three NBA championships (1981, 1984, and 1986). His playing record included averages of 23,3 points, 14,7 rebounds, 1,5 assists, and 2,3 blocks per game with the Boston Celtics.

Robert Parish attending the Boston Celtics’ special ceremony to retire his number 00 jersey in 1998.

After 14 years with the Boston Celtics, in 1994 he joined the Charlotte Hornets for two more seasons and then another season (1996-1997) with the Chicago Bulls, where he earned another NBA championship ring. At 43 years old, Parish became the oldest player ever to play in the NBA. In the 2006 season, he became the NBA record holder after playing 1.611 games and spanning 21 NBA seasons.

Robert Parish was known as a versatile center. With his towering height (2,15 m), he was able to overcome opposing players on defense. He could also shoot with pinpoint accuracy from beyond the arc and complete fast breaks with speed uncharacteristic of someone his height. His rebounding and shot-blocking abilities were also exceptional.

To honor his quality of play and accomplishments, the Boston Celtics retired Robert Parish’s number 00 jersey in a special ceremony in 1998. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. (Bembo)