'I'd worn out my welcome in Boston. Stevie Wonder could see that' - Robert Parish resented the Celtics for pushing him out

Every die-hard Boston Celtics fan who knows the history of the storied franchise knew who Robert Parish was. Some may credit Larry Bird, Kevin McHale or Dennis Johnson for the Celtics' success in the '80s but even those legendary players would admit "The Chief" was the driving force of the team.

Since joining the C's in 1980 after a trade, Parish had been exceptional on the court. He played a pivotal role in Boston's three historic NBA title runs, establishing himself as a true Celtics icon. However, the team headed in a different direction in the '90s. With Bird and McHale gone, Boston eventually pushed Parish out of Beantown as well.

After the 1993-94 season, Robert became a free agent and didn't receive any call from the Celtics. That summer, "The Chief" was signed by the Charlotte Hornets. Parish was glad that he had quickly found a new home, but he hinted at his resentment at how the Celtics had gotten rid of him.

"Personally, I still have a desire to play. Once I realized that, I decided that even if I had to go somewhere else [as a free agent], I would. I think I'd worn out my welcome in Boston. Stevie Wonder could see that, and he can't see. I'm taking them one at a time,'' the Celtics legend told The Roanoke Times.

Parish was welcomed in Charlotte

The Hornets were just heading into their seventh season as an NBA expansion team when they acquired a future Hall of Famer in Parish. Unlike Boston, Charlotte lacked the experience and history, but based on what Parish observed, the Hornets were respectful and warm.

In his final seasons with the Celtics, Robert's playing time were reduced to just 27 minutes and according to how he described it, the team unapologetically let him feel that he was no longer needed. For "The Chief," joining a young team like the Hornets was not only a breath of fresh air but also a confidence booster in some way.

"No one has given me the finger here yet,'' Parish said of the Hornets. "That happened up there [in Boston] on a daily basis."

The Hornets never pressured Parish

The Hornets did not impose any specific expectations or responsibilities on "The Chief" when they brought him onto the team. For the Hornets, the most important thing was that the then-40-year-old could simply be himself on the court, giving Parish the freedom to play comfortably and confidently.

Charlotte understood that when an impactful player like Robert feels at ease, it can lead to better performance and a more dynamic team atmosphere. Therefore, the Hornets valued Robert's individuality and aimed to create an environment where he could thrive without any pressure.

At the time, the Hornets were committed to building around All-Star center Alonzo Mourning. While it made sense to have "The Chief" serve as a mentor to Zo, Hornets head coach Allan Bristow made it clear that Parish wouldn't do any of that as well.

"I talked to Robert and told him he has to be a little selfish,'' said Bristow, "He has to do what he should do for Robert Parish first. We didn't bring him to particularly help Alonzo. We wanted Robert Parish, who's played basketball for the last 10, 15, and 20 years. If the maturity rubs off, great. Robert wouldn't have lasted this long and won that many championship rings if he weren't a special player.''

On the other hand, Parish recognized Mourning's potential right off the bat. For the former Celtic, "Zo" was already on course to hit his stride, and that would happen whether he was there or not.

"I don't think I need to teach Mourning anything,'' Parish pointed out. "The only thing he's lacking is experience."

"The Chief" rode into the sunset in Chicago

Following two consecutive seasons with the Hornets, where he served as a backup center, Parish parted ways with the team. His departure marked another significant moment in his illustrious career, opening the door that led him to the Chicago Bulls, a team renowned for its dominance in the league during that era, and, of course, because of Michael Jordan.

The Bulls were not really looking to fill a roster spot but were eager to enhance their championship pedigree by bringing in players such as Parish with proven track records. With his impressive accolades and veteran presence, "The Chief" was a perfect fit for a team that sought to solidify its status as a powerhouse in the NBA.

Robert's move to the Bulls not only represented a new chapter in his career but also highlighted the team's commitment to winning. Though Parish only played 45 games for Chicago, the addition of such a seasoned veteran brought invaluable insights and contributions to the team, further elevating the Bulls' pursuit of championship glory.

As expected, the Bulls won the NBA championship in 1997 with Parish. After that season, "The Chief" officially called it quits.