In the world of Boston Celtics basketball, comparing teams from different eras is a favorite pastime for fans. A recent interview has added fuel to those debates as a franchise legend offered his verdict on two standout squads.
Celtics legend Robert Parish explained why he thinks the 1986 team would defeat the 2024 Celtics. “Nobody had an answer for Bill Walton...Today’s Celtics, they couldn’t do nothing with William,” Robert Parish said of the matchup, per CLNS Media.
Robert Parish on who would win a game between the '86 and '24 Celtics:
"Nobody had an answer for Bill Walton...Today's Celtics, they couldn't do nothing with William."
-@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/mNULC8mNWO
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) March 18, 2026
The 1986 Celtics are remembered as one of the most complete teams ever assembled. With Larry Bird leading the way, Kevin McHale patrolling the frontcourt, and Bill Walton providing championship-level production off the bench despite past injuries, they went 67-15 and cruised to the title.
The 2024 Celtics were known for their switchable defense and long-range shooting, but Parish wondered whether the physicality and interior control of the 1986 squad would cause issues for the '24 squad.
Parish’s perspective comes from someone who lived the success of that golden era. While the NBA has changed, his confidence in the 1986 team reminds us of the enduring legacy of those champions.
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