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Joe Mazzulla’s ‘tough love’ reminds Robert Parish of a particular Hall-of-Fame coach
Bill Fitch was the Celtics' coach when Parish arrived in Boston. "The Chief" sees similarities in Joe Mazzulla.
Robert Parish had never met Joe Mazzulla before Wednesday night, but it’s clear that he respects the current Celtics‘ coach.
The Hall-of-Fame big man was in town to promote his new memoir “The Chief: The Story of the Boston Celtics’ Most Enigmatic Icon“, and when he dropped into TD Garden for an interview he learned in real time about Mazzulla’s enthusiasm for martial arts.
Parish seemed surprised in a good way. It explained a lot about the coach’s intensity, he said.
“That explains why he don’t take no [expletive],” Parish said. “One thing the arts teaches you is that you can walk away. It teaches you to try to walk away first because you have the confidence to handle yourself in the skills, that you can take care of yourself.
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“That would explain that tough persona that he gives off, because when you know that — most people — you can kick their butts, you get a certain arrogance about you and confidence. I’m speaking from experience.”
These Celtics have no shortage of confidence. They’ve learned this season that they can hang with pretty much anyone with or without Jayson Tatum. His addition has put them back into the championship contender conversation.
But in the NBA, swagger, confidence, and discipline can only get a team so far. There’s also a need for talent and execution. With Brown and Tatum leading the way, along with Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Neemias Queta excelling in their roles, these Celtics are a few weeks away from hosting a playoff series.
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Taking on some of Mazzulla’s personality traits certainly didn’t hurt the team, Parish said. They persevered through Tatum’s lengthy absence and it made them stronger.
“And I think that’s one of the main reasons they are successful, other than taking on the coach’s personality,” Parish said. “Because he don’t take no crap and these Celtics don’t take no crap, so I like that about them.”
Parish enjoys the Celtics’ “take no prisoners” attitude, he said, highlighting their toughness and willingness to grind on both ends of the floor. They’re enjoyable to watch on TV, he said.
“I’ve never met the man,” Parish said of Mazzulla. “I’ve just been watching from afar and the vibe that he’s giving off, seeing him on TV and watching him when I’ve been in the building, watching him from afar, no he’s serious and I like that. It kind of reminds me of Bill Fitch. That tough love. I like that.”
These Celtics wouldn’t be where they are without their reserves, who stepped up during Tatum’s absence and continue to contribute meaningfully. Parish praised Mazzulla’s ability to manage that part of the rotation.
“Obviously he has people skills because if he didn’t have people skills I don’t think his players would buy into his philosophy, his concept of what they have,” Parish said. “I think it’s very important to give those guys that don’t play a lot some love, make them feel important, make them feel wanted, make them feel like they’re going to contribute at some point, so stay ready. It seems like those guys realize that.”
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Winning takes teamwork, and the players are the ones who make the plays. Tapping into those personalities and getting the most out of them are part of a coach’s job.
“Just feeding off of them,” Mazzulla said. “I think when you have a group of guys that care about winning, as a coach you just feed off of what they do. They’re the ones that bring it ever night and you kind of just feed off of that.”
Parish has four titles, three with the Celtics in the 1980s and one with the Michael Jordan-led Bulls during his final season in 1997.
One of the main reasons the Celtics were so successful during his era, he said, was Larry Bird’s willingness to lay down his ego and set an example for the rest of the team.
Those ’86 Celtics would beat the 2024 version of the Celtics in a hypothetical matchup, he said, because the 2024 Celtics wouldn’t have an answer for Bill Walton coming off the bench as a sixth man.
But Parish still appreciates the way these current Celtics play the game and he didn’t mind heaping praise on them.
“Today’s Celtics, they win collectively. It’s not one person doing the work,” Parish said. “They’re winning and being successful collectively as a team, and I respect that.”
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