In the 1980s, the Boston Celtics dominated the NBA alongside the Los Angeles Lakers. While Larry Bird was the face of that dynasty, he was surrounded by other great players, including Robert Parish. The former center played a key role in that era, helping the team win three championships. Now retired, he has weighed in on the GOAT debate.

“Kareem is the best player I ever played against, period,” Parish said of Abdul-Jabbar in a 2024 interview on the Showtime Podcast with Michael Cooper. “The best thing I could ever say about Kareem is that no one ever devised a defense that could stop him. He figured out a way to exploit every defensive scheme ever thrown at him.”

Robert is well-positioned to speak on the subject, having spent much of his career playing in the same era as Kareem. The two clashed in numerous high-stakes matchups between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 1980s, a rivalry that helped define the decade.

Part of Parish’s admiration for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar comes from a humbling early experience during his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors in 1976–77. “I did not play a lot my rookie year until the playoffs,” the former center recalled in his conversation with Michael Cooper.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won five championships with the Lakers

“In the playoffs, we played the Lakers, back then it was best-of-3. I’m feeling pretty good about myself because I thought I was all that in college,” Parish continued. “Then I went up against Kareem. The big fella averaged 39.9 and, I think, like 15 or 16 rebounds. Humbling. Welcome to the NBA… Very humbling.”

Parish compares Kareem to Jordan

When the GOAT conversation comes up, Michael Jordan is usually the first name mentioned. But Robert Parish offers a different view. “I don’t agree with the usual assessment,” he said in a 2020 interview with Celtics All Access, before pointing to what he sees as Kareem’s clear edge.

“Michael was great in his time, and you have to give him credit for winning six championships in a row. You know, two three-peats,” Parish said. “I acknowledge that, and I respect that but as good as Michael was — and he was an exceptional talent — Kareem’s skyhook was unstoppable. The jump hook and the skyhook are in my opinion, the two most unstoppable weapons in basketball.“

What Parish thinks Jordan lacked in the GOAT debate

Reflecting on Jordan’s career in a 2017 interview on In The Post with Elvin Hayes, Parish pointed out what he sees as a major shortcoming in the Chicago Bulls legend’s resume. “Michael didn’t beat great teams, in my opinion,” the former center said. “Now think about this: When Larry (Bird), Kevin (McHale), and myself were in our heyday, he couldn’t beat us.”

“He couldn’t get past the Pistons until Joe Dumars and Isiah (Thomas) got old. He couldn’t beat the Lakers in their prime. When he beat Phoenix, they only had one Hall of Famer,” Parish added, referring to Charles Barkley in the 1993 NBA Finals.

Parish reflects on his relationship with Michael Jordan

Parish ended his career with the Chicago Bulls in the 1996–97 season and had the opportunity to play alongside Jordan. In an interview with NBC Sports, he recalled how their dynamic unfolded. “We were scrimmaging. Phil (Jackson) put me with the second unit. We proceeded to kick their butts like four straight games. And Michael took offense to it, so I asked him how did he like that butt whooping,” Parish recounted.

“He took offense to it because clearly no one ever manned up to him, you know, challenged him,” continued the four-time NBA champion. “So he said if I wasn’t careful, he was going to kick my butt. And I told him, ‘I’m not as enamored with you as these other guys. I’ve got some rings, too.’ At that point, he told me, ‘I’m going to kick your butt.’ I took one step closer and said, ‘No, you really aren’t.’ After that, he didn’t bother me.”

Who was the better leader, Jordan or Bird?

During his NBA career, Robert Parish played alongside two of the league’s most influential figures: Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. In that interview with NBC Sports, the former center reflected on their contrasting leadership methods.

“Everybody got their own style, and the way they lead. Michael was in your face, he challenged his teammates,” Parish said of Jordan. “Some nights you don’t want to hear what he got to say.”

He then made clear his preference for Bird’s approach: “I respect both leadership styles, but I prefer Larry’s style the best… He led by example. You know, he wasn’t a vocal leader, he let his play dictate how we should play. I think Larry’s style and philosophy makes the best leaders, because if you are a yeller and a screamer, after a while your voice fall on deaf ears and players just kinda tune you out, don’t hear what you got to say.”

The amazing career of Robert Parish

Robert Parish was one of the most durable players in NBA history. He was drafted by the Warriors in 1976 and stayed with the franchise until 1980, when he was traded to Boston in a deal that also allowed the Celtics to draft Kevin McHale.

The center spent 14 years with the franchise, winning three NBA championships (1981, 1984, and 1986). He was selected to nine NBA All-Star Games, and his No. 00 jersey was retired by the organization after his playing days ended. In 1994, Parish left Boston and played two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets before ending his career with the Chicago Bulls in 1996–97, winning a fourth title.

With 21 seasons under his belt, Parish still holds the record for most regular-season games played in NBA history, with 1,611 appearances. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.