Celtics great Robert Parish praises Joe Mazzulla: 'They have the right coach'

Parish says Mazzulla has the Celtics playing with the same toughness and team-first mentality as the 1980s championship squads.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:49pm

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NBA Hall of Famer Robert Parish, who won three championships with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s, praised current Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, saying he believes Mazzulla is the "right coach" for the team. Parish highlighted the similarities between Mazzulla's coaching philosophy and the mentality of the 1980s Celtics teams, noting the current squad's toughness, defensive identity, and team-first approach.

Why it matters

Parish's endorsement of Mazzulla carries significant weight given his status as a Celtics legend and member of some of the franchise's most successful teams. His comments suggest Mazzulla has instilled the same winning culture and team-oriented mindset that defined the Celtics' dynasty in the 1980s, which could bode well for the team's continued success.

The details

During a chance encounter at TD Garden, Parish and Mazzulla briefly met for the first time. Parish praised Mazzulla's coaching, saying he "has people skills" and that the Celtics have "taken on Joe's personality" of toughness and a "grinding" style of play on both ends of the court. Parish also noted the team's improved defensive identity, which he believes was a key factor in their championship run in 2024, prior to star player Jayson Tatum's injury.

  • Parish and Mazzulla met for the first time on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, before the Celtics hosted the Warriors.
  • The Celtics won the NBA championship in 2024.

The players

Robert Parish

A Hall of Fame center who won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s.

Joe Mazzulla

The current head coach of the Boston Celtics, known for his tough, team-first coaching style.

Jayson Tatum

A star player for the Boston Celtics who suffered a torn Achilles injury in 2024.

Larry Bird

The legendary leader of the 1980s Boston Celtics teams that won multiple championships.

Bill Walton

A key member of the 1986 Boston Celtics championship team, known for his dominant play.

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What they’re saying

“I think the two eras' coaching philosophies, or whatever you want to call it, mirror one another. They have the right coach in place. Because that's where it starts: with the coach. And the team has definitely taken on Joe's personality: that toughness, grinding out on both ends of the court, take no prisoners (mentality).”

— Robert Parish, NBA Hall of Famer

“We always talk about (how) this job wouldn't be what it was if the people before us didn't do what they did. And Robert Parish is at the top of that list with what he's done as a player, what he's done in the city, what he's done for basketball. When you take this job and you have this job, you realize the gratitude and perspective that comes with it. And it's our responsibility to move it forward the way that they did.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

What’s next

The Celtics will look to continue their strong play and defend their NBA championship in the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Robert Parish's high praise for current Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla suggests the team has recaptured the winning culture and team-first mentality that defined the franchise's dynasty in the 1980s, which could lead to sustained success in the years to come.