The Celtics retired Robert Parish's number (00) in January 1998.
The Celtics retired Robert Parish's number (00) in January 1998.DAVIS, JIM GLOBE STAFF PHOTO
The Celtics spent most of last season as the favorites to repeat as NBA champions. Then that dream was dashed when they lost to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Although the opportunity passed, it did not necessarily signify the closure of a championship window. Former Celtics great Robert Parish can attest to that.
Parish played center for three NBA championship teams in Boston, none of which claimed back-to-back titles. Instead, by winning in 1981, ′84, and ′86, it created a dynasty with longevity.
“We checked our egos at the door, and I think that’s paramount,” Parish said Wednesday, during a stop at TD Garden to promote his new book, “The Chief.” “We were always on the same page. We wanted to win the championship, and we knew we wasn’t going to win championships playing like individuals. We’ve got to do it from a team perspective.
“And it started with our leader, Larry [Bird]. He checked his ego at the door. So, if our leader can check his ego, clearly the rest of us could check our ego. And that’s where it starts, with the leader.”
Parish said he has noticed similar themes with this iteration of the Celtics. Yes, he said, they have star players, but they reached the summit because they were willing to operate as a team.
The Hall of Famer credited coach Joe Mazzulla for helping establish that ethos. He said Mazzulla’s tough love approach reminded him of former Celtics coach Bill Fitch, who guided Boston to the 1981 NBA title.
“I like that,” Parish said. “Even though he obviously has people skills. because if he didn’t have the people skills, I don’t think his players would buy into his philosophy, his concepts the way that they have. So, I definitely think Joe has people skills because I think it’s very important to give those guys that don’t play a lot, give them some love, make them feel important, make them feel wanted, make them feel like they’re going to contribute at some point. So, stay ready.”
“It seems like these guys realize and it feels that Joe subscribes to this philosophy: Don’t give me a reason not to play you.”
Porzingis returns to Boston
With the Warriors in town for Wednesday night, Kristaps Porzingis returned to Boston for the first time since the Celtics traded him to the Hawks last summer. Porzingis did not attend Atlanta’s game at TD Garden in January, and last month the Hawks traded him to Golden State.
Porzingis has continued to battle the mysterious illness that limited him for much of last season, but he has appeared to turn a corner lately.
The big man tied his season high by pouring in 30 points in the Warriors’ win over the Wizards on Monday and was in the starting lineup Wednesday.
“Well, he’s an easy fit for sure, with any team,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said before the game. “With that size, with that kind of shooting touch, it doesn’t take a whole lot of strategy to get him to work with other players. He can set a screen and pop and that puts a lot of stress on the defense, just that alone.
“Obviously you’d rather have someone for training camp and be able to really experiment. I think even in the [five] games he’s played we’re starting to learn nuances of where he likes the ball, different actions we might run, that sort of thing. But he’s a very easy fit, a great guy and a great teammate, and I’m really enjoying coaching him.”
Kerr said he was eager to see Porzingis play alongside superstar guard Stephen Curry, who has missed the last six weeks because of a knee injury but appears to be nearing a return.
Another former Celtics big man, Al Horford, remains sidelined by a calf strain and did not make the trip with the Warriors.
Jayson Tatum getting acclimated to NBA play again
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Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.