Quotes from Robert Parish

My parents always taught me to be humble no matter what the experience, to not think I was better than anyone else.

I want to make it clear, I'm not whining, and the Celtics owe me nothing. But having said that, you would think at least I would have a conversation about a coaching job, since that's what I want to do.

You've got to listen to yourself, do what you think is best. Because if you listen to the critics, you might be going in all different directions.

I'd be the first to say that I'm a distant individual. I have a tendency to come across as being aloof and dismissive.

An induction into the prestigious USSSA Hall of Fame is a humbling honor and a testament to everyone who helped foster and grow Worth's partnership with USSSA.

I thought if I could play 10 years in the league, it would be a great career more than I could ever hope for in my wildest dreams.

Playing with a winner is important.

In my mind, I would always be a Celtic. I was very thankful and humbled that the Hornets saw fit to allow me to play a couple more years, but the only time I thought of myself as a Charlotte Hornet was game time. Other than that, when the jersey came off, I still felt like I was a Celtic.

Growing up, I didn't like basketball. I played football and baseball and ran some track.

I was always happy off the court at Golden State. It was on the court that I was frustrated.

You should never put your hands on a woman, under any circumstances.

It ranks right up there with winning a championship, being selected as one of the 50 greatest athletes in the NBA. It's definitely a highlight in my career.

I have a great deal of respect for Coach Fitch. When we won the championship in '81, he was the main reason why we won. We were down and he never let us doubt ourselves.

I think Paul Pierce, the way he manufactures points, is the best player the Celtics have seen thus far.

Meadowlark inspired me to play for a long time. I thought, 'If he could do it, I can do it.' The legacy that Meadowlark leaves is something that every child and adult can benefit from.

I was always looking at the ground because I was self-conscious about my height. I had big feet, big hands, and all that.

I've been blessed with a good body that has held up over the years and I love the game.

I'm not comfortable with being honored, showered with appreciation. But it's always appreciated.

Everyone knows my career was catapulted to another level when I got traded to the Boston Celtics.

It would have been a short career if I had not been traded to Boston. I was rejuvenated in Boston.

I think experience helps but it's not required to be successful.

I've always been one to shy away from the publicity, the limelight, whatever you want to call it. I prefer to be in the background.

I'm 38, and everyone is making a big deal out of it because I got a few gray hairs cropping in my sides.

I was very lucky that I never had any serious injury. But it was the love and passion for the game that got me playing for so long.