Robert Parish isn’t buying into the narrative that today’s NBA big men are somehow falling short.
The Hall of Famer, who built his legacy with the Boston Celtics alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, took a direct stance when discussing the constant criticism coming from older generations of players.
Parish didn’t hesitate to explain what he believes is really behind it.
“Haters, that’s why,” said Parish speaking in a conversation with DeMarcus Cousins. “That’s my personal opinion. I could be way off based on it, no question. But I think we just… old generation, just haters, that’s all. You gotta give this generation their credit, their due, because they are playing very good basketball.”
Boogie Cousins: “Why do you think the older generation is so critical of the younger generation?”
Robert Parish: “Haters.”
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Despite attempting just six three-pointers across his entire career, Parish made it clear he has no issue with how modern bigs approach the game.
“These criticisms from the old-timers, about the bigs in the game, how they play out on the perimeter way too much,” Parish added. “That being said, I like the way that bigs are playing today because they still do big man things. Now granted, they take a lot of long twos and 3-point shots, but they still are a defensive presence… I don’t have an issue with them playing in the perimeter more than they should.”
The debate doesn’t stop there. Another NBA Hall-of-Famer Tracy McGrady offered a different explanation for the generational divide, pointing toward financial differences between eras.
“It’s money, it’s money, bro. Did you realize like in the 90s, Reggie Miller and Michael, they were only making $2-3 million? And they were the top guys. I don’t think anybody is making $2-3 million dollars in the league right now. These guys are making so much money,” said T-Mac.
“It’s the money and how the league has really catered to the players. They made the league soft for these guys, trying to cut the 82 games now. Trying to go from 82 to 72. I think it’s just all the other stuff of babying and coddling the players when they’re making all this money. It has to be that the players got so much.”
