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The debate over how eras transcend in the NBA is a timeless pastime for fans and analysts alike. More often than not, the discussions revolve around how players from the past eras would fare in today’s game. For former NBA star Eddie Johnson, there are certain guys who could excel in this era and among them is Robert Parish.
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Johnson firmly believes that the Hall of Fame center wouldn’t just survive in today’s game. He would absolutely dominate it.
At the core of Johnson’s argument is the sheer skill set and adaptable style of play that “The Chief” possessed. While many fans only remember Parish for his stoic demeanor and bruising interior presence with the Boston Celtics, “Piggy” emphasized that the four-time champion had an arsenal that would translate seamlessly into the 2020s.
“Without a doubt, Robert Parish could have played today’s game because he would have had 3-point range, I truly believe it,” Eddie said on Parish’s NBA 75 promo. “The way he ran and how he would stopped at 15, and you’re not blocking the shot. Think about it, [he had] themost unstoppable shot that’s just like Kareem, the ball is way above his head and he’s shooting it in and it’s hard to understand how he would be able to do that but he did it, and he didn’t worry about anybody blocking his shot.”
Parish would last long in this era
Beyond the skills, longevity is another area where Johnson expects Parish to have in today’s NBA. The modern era is often criticized by old-timers for being much softer and wider, with less physicality and more open court space.
With that in mind, Eddie is confident that the ’80s NBA enforcer would last an incredibly long time in the current era. Moreover, Johnson made it clear that Parish wouldn’t just stick around because his body and health would be preserved in today’s game. Instead, he believes Robert would opt to stay because of his genuine and unwavering passion for basketball.
“He played 20 plus years, you see, that’s when you know, especially a big man, because big men sometimes are a little bit, ‘Yeah, I’m playing it because I’m big.’ He played it because he loved the game,” he added.
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Parish said today’s NBA players are pampered
Unsurprisingly, Parish himself has been one of the biggest critics of today’s NBA. The former Celtics big man has never been one to mince words when comparing his era to the league’s current product.
For the “Chief,” the evolution of the NBA may be fascinating to some, but it isn’t necessarily a positive one. On more than one occasion, Parish has expressed skepticism about the competitive drive and dedication of modern-day NBA players, as they are often “pampered” by their teams.
“If I were to attend an NBA practice today, it would remind me of a spa. You’re going in to get iced down and get massages. You’re in the jacuzzi, the steam room and the sauna. They have everything available to the players today. I don’t think you can get a manicure and a pedicure. But training camp shouldn’t look like that. Training camp and practices should be all serious business. It should be basketball-related serious business. Take it personally,” Parish once remarked.
“Get in better shape,” he added. “You don’t need load management or time management, whatever you want to call it. You don’t need that.”
Truth be told, nobody could ever say that a legend from the past would dominate today’s NBA. At the same time, it’s hard not to ignore the fact that a player like Parish stood out in arguably the most competitive era in NBA history.
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This story was originally published August 9, 2026 at 7:34 PM.