BOSTON - When it comes to winning, few know the ropes better than Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish. With three NBA championships under his belt, Parish has been part of some of the most iconic teams in Celtics history.
So, when he speaks, people listen. And his words about Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla were nothing short of high praise.
Parish hadn't met Mazzulla before, but it didn’t take long for him to see that the fourth-year coach embodies a winning spirit. “They have the right coach in place because that's where it starts,” Parish said, reflecting on the Celtics' Wednesday night clash with the Golden State Warriors - two teams close to his heart. “The team is definitely taking on Joe's personality - that toughness, grind it out on both ends, take no prisoners.”
Parish went on to draw parallels between Mazzulla’s squad and the legendary Celtics teams he played on decades ago. “Another area they mirror us in, they play hard,” he noted, towering over reporters in the TD Garden press room.
And Parish isn’t wrong. The Celtics, with a 45-23 record, have been outworking opponents, whether it’s dominating the boards or hustling for loose balls.
Mazzulla has been the architect of this relentless culture since the start of the 2025-26 season, even when critics doubted the team’s potential during Jayson Tatum’s recovery from an Achilles injury. He’s uplifted bench players and reinvigorated starters, ensuring every player knows their value.
“Joe has people skills,” Parish emphasized. “He makes sure those guys who don’t play much feel important.
It’s about staying ready. Joe’s philosophy is clear - don’t give me a reason not to play.”
True to form, Mazzulla deflected praise when asked about his team’s grit. “To me, it starts in the locker room, and it's a credit to those guys,” he remarked shortly after shaking hands with Parish for the first time.
“He's serious,” Parish said approvingly. “And I like that.”
With the playoffs on the horizon and Tatum back in action, the Celtics are poised for a deep run. Parish is confident in their team-first mentality.
“One thing I like about today's Celtics, they win collectively,” he observed. “They're doing it as a team, and I respect that.”
Mazzulla, meanwhile, remains focused on his players, urging them to respect the process and never back down. “He doesn't take any crap, and these Celtics don't take any crap,” Parish concluded, capturing the essence of Mazzulla’s leadership.
As the postseason approaches, the Celtics are ready to make their mark, driven by a coach who knows how to bring out the best in his team.