Whenever discussing the legacy of Robert Parish , his relentless defensive and rebounding efforts are well acknowledged. They helped the Boston Celtics feature in five consecutive finals and lift three championships in six years. Even though he was a capable big man who was almost impossible to be bullied around, the most underappreciated facet of his game to this date remains his trademark offensive weapon – the high-arching jumper.
Despite its seemingly errant trajectory, this shot frequently found its mark, becoming Parish’s go-to move every time he needed to score. In recognition of this skill, the nine-time All-Star credited his 5’2” junior high school basketball coach for deploying all unconventional means to develop his unique shot.
How did Parish perfect his weapon
Throughout his illustrious 21-year NBA career, the 7’1” center may not have been considered a threat from long-range, primarily due to the era’s expectation for big men to be assertive in the paint. Nevertheless, The Chief dominated with remarkable efficiency, knocking 53.7% of his two-point attempts. This rate could have been even higher if not for tenures with the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls.
During his 14-season stint with the Celtics, Parish knocked 55.2% of his 2-pointers, effortlessly shooting his jumper over taller and more athletic centers…