{"id":1388461,"date":"2021-07-21T18:39:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T22:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1388461"},"modified":"2021-07-22T14:13:54","modified_gmt":"2021-07-22T18:13:54","slug":"robert-parish-hall-of-famer-started-wearing-number-00-because-he-was-worst-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/robert-parish-hall-of-famer-started-wearing-number-00-because-he-was-worst-player\/","title":{"rendered":"Robert Parish May Be a Hall of Famer, but He Started Wearing Number 00 Because He ‘Was the Worst Player on the Team'"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While he might not receive the same hype as his peers, Robert Parish<\/a> proved to be quite the player during his time in the Association. The big man made a name for himself with the Boston Celtics<\/a>, winning three championships in Beantown, and ultimately earned a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. His talent, however, wasn't always plain to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the NBA, one of Parish's signatures was the iconic No. 00 on his back. That identifier wasn't a mere stylistic choice, though. During The Chief's earliest days on the hardwood, his lack of apparent talent placed him at the back of the line and, in turn, decided his fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robert Parish had a legendary career on the hardwood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Robert
Robert Parish wearing his iconic 00 for the Boston Celtics. | Tom Herde\/The Boston Globe via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the impact of role players can be overrated by their role in a historic dynasty. Parish may have been a part of some famous Celtics teams, but he wasn't simply along for the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While he made a name for himself in Boston, the big man cut his teeth at Centenary College and joined a struggling Golden State Warriors\u00a0team as the eighth overall pick of the 1976 NBA Draft. After a few years in the Bay Area, though, salvation came in the form of a trade. In June 1980, Parish crossed the country and became a Celtic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chief arrived in Boston at exactly the right time. Larry Bird was hitting his stride, and Kevin McHale would join the team during that summer's draft. Together, those three men formed the building blocks of a dynasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his 14 seasons with the Celtics, Parish averaged 16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks and claimed three NBA titles. He'd eventually earn another ring with the Chicago Bulls<\/a> and, after retirement, claimed his rightful place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chief wore No. 00 because of a lack of junior high school talent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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History of Celtics retired numbers https:\/\/t.co\/WY9toh8Q9u<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kzTKvL55or<\/a><\/p>— CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) August 18, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>