Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Robert Parish has named his all-time NBA starting five, selecting Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a lineup that blends supreme athleticism, elite playmaking, championship pedigree and timeless greatness.
The “Chief,” a four-time NBA champion and nine-time All-Star who anchored the Celtics’ frontcourt alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale during the 1980s dynasty, shared his picks in a recent interview that quickly sparked debate among fans and analysts. Parish’s selection places the game’s most iconic figures in positions that highlight their versatility and impact across eras.
At point guard, Parish chose Magic Johnson, the Lakers legend whose 6-foot-9 frame revolutionized the position with unmatched vision and size. Johnson’s five NBA titles, three Finals MVPs and career 11.2 assists per game made him an easy choice for the floor general role, according to Parish. The two faced off in intense Celtics-Lakers rivalries that defined the 1980s, giving Parish firsthand appreciation for Magic’s ability to elevate teammates.
Shooting guard goes to Michael Jordan, whose six championships with the Chicago Bulls, five MVP awards and unmatched scoring prowess need little introduction. Parish, who briefly played with Jordan on the 1996-97 Bulls at age 43, has long spoken respectfully of Jordan’s competitiveness while maintaining his own perspective on the era. Jordan’s defensive intensity and clutch performances sealed his spot in Parish’s lineup.
For small forward, Parish selected his longtime Celtics teammate Larry Bird, the three-time MVP and three-time champion whose shooting, passing and trash-talking leadership helped Boston win titles in 1981, 1984 and 1986. Bird’s placement reflects not only personal loyalty but also Parish’s belief in Bird’s status among the greatest forwards ever, citing his basketball IQ and ability to make everyone around him better.
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Power forward belongs to Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs cornerstone whose quiet excellence produced five titles, two MVPs and a reputation as one of the most fundamentally sound players in league history. Parish praised Duncan’s consistency, defense and leadership over two decades, noting how the “Big Fundamental” embodied the professional standard every big man should aspire to.
At center, Parish tabbed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer until LeBron James passed him and a six-time MVP with six championships. Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook, longevity and defensive presence made him the clear choice at the five spot for Parish, who competed against the Lakers legend during his prime.
The lineup — Johnson, Jordan, Bird, Duncan, Abdul-Jabbar — features three MVPs, multiple champions and players who dominated their respective positions for years. It notably omits modern stars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic, as well as other historical giants like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Shaquille O’Neal, prompting lively discussion online.
Parish’s perspective carries weight as one of the NBA’s iron men. He played 1,611 regular-season games, a record that stood until LeBron James surpassed it in March 2026. Drafted eighth overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1976, Parish was traded to Boston in 1980 in one of the most lopsided deals in league history, pairing him with Bird and McHale to form one of the greatest frontcourts ever. The trio helped the Celtics capture three titles and reach the Finals five times in the 1980s.
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Now in his 70s, Parish remains active in basketball conversations through interviews, podcasts and his recent memoir. He has consistently praised the 1980s era for its physicality and team-oriented play while acknowledging the skill level of today’s game. His all-time five reflects a blend of eras: the showtime flair of Magic, the killer instinct of Jordan, the Celtic pride of Bird, the fundamental mastery of Duncan and the enduring excellence of Abdul-Jabbar.
Fans and analysts quickly weighed in after the picks surfaced. Some praised the balance of offense, defense and leadership. Others questioned the absence of LeBron James, who many consider the most complete player ever with four titles across three franchises and all-time scoring leadership. Supporters of Wilt Chamberlain pointed to his statistical dominance, while Russell advocates highlighted his unmatched 11 championships.
Parish has never shied away from strong opinions. In past discussions, he has questioned aspects of Jordan’s path to greatness, noting that the Bulls faced weakened competition in some playoff runs compared to the stacked Eastern Conference of the 1980s. He has also ranked centers, placing Abdul-Jabbar at or near the top while acknowledging greats like Bill Walton, whom he played with in Boston.
The timing of Parish’s comments adds fuel to the perennial all-time greats debate as the 2025-26 NBA season winds down and the 2026 playoffs approach. With stars like Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic continuing to build their resumes, conversations about where they rank among legends remain lively.
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Parish’s selection underscores how personal experience shapes these lists. As a four-time champion who battled Magic and Abdul-Jabbar in the Finals and later shared a locker room with Jordan, his viewpoint blends direct competition with deep respect for the game’s history.
The Chief’s career statistics — 23,334 points, 14,715 rebounds and 2,361 blocks — place him among the elite centers. He earned induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 alongside James Worthy. His longevity, playing until age 43, remains remarkable in an era before modern load management.
In Boston, Parish is revered as the steady anchor of the Bird-era Celtics. His No. 00 hangs in the TD Garden rafters, and fans still chant “Chief” during celebrations. The franchise’s success in the 1980s, with Parish as the defensive and rebounding presence, laid the foundation for its identity as one of the NBA’s most storied teams.
While all-time starting fives are inherently subjective, Parish’s choices highlight players who combined individual brilliance with team success. The inclusion of three players from the 1980s — Magic, Bird and Kareem — reflects the era Parish knows best, while Duncan represents the next generation of fundamental big men.
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Debate is expected to continue across sports media, social platforms and fan forums. Some lists favor LeBron at small forward or power forward, others insert Curry for his revolutionary shooting, and many include Russell or Chamberlain at center for their defensive or statistical dominance.
For Parish, the exercise appears less about settling arguments and more about honoring those who defined greatness in their time. His lineup would feature unmatched passing from Magic and Bird, scoring from Jordan, defense and fundamentals from Duncan, and scoring and rim protection from Kareem — a hypothetical team that could compete in any era.
As the NBA celebrates its rich history ahead of future anniversary teams, voices like Parish’s remind fans that greatness comes in many forms. Whether his five would defeat other legendary lineups remains a fun thought experiment, but the respect he shows for these icons underscores their lasting impact.
Parish continues to engage with the game he loves, offering perspective that bridges generations. From the parquet floors of Boston Garden to today’s arenas, his insights carry the weight of a champion who lived the rivalries and built the legacies now under discussion.
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The all-time starting five conversation will never end, but Robert Parish has added his chapter — one rooted in championships, competition and a deep love for basketball’s greatest players.
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The facility is the first outside of the UK for Training in Care
Dr Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Training in Care.(Image: Creo Comms)
South Shields firm Training in Care has launched its first centre outside of the UK with a move to target the Indian market.
The provider of industry courses in South Tyneside and Sunderland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guardian Angel Institute of Caregiving, which has 300 carers in the Kerala region and has provided care to thousands since its launch 2012. Working with Institute, the firm aims to upskill workers from across the country’s care sector.
Training in Care says it aims improve the quality of life for care receivers in India and address problems in the UK’s domestic care sector by sharing knowledge and best practice. The company has also entered into a two-year knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with University of Sunderland to support the move.
Dr Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Training in Care, said: “Opening our first training centre outside of the UK is an incredibly proud moment for everyone associated with the business. Over the past 27 years, we’ve helped thousands of people gain the skills required to enter or progress their career in the care sector, so we’ve seen first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
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“For example, while we have made real in-roads in the UK to ensure our carers have the required social care skills to enter the industry, for too long we have overlooked the need for basic healthcare skills, which is something that is seen as essential for anyone working in the industry in India. At the same time, their care sector hasn’t adopted the same quality of care standards which we have.
“This is why initiatives like this are so important, as it will allow peers in both countries to share best practice and knowledge and ensure that the tens of millions of people receiving care in both countries receive the best possible care and support. It fills us with immense pride to be expanding internationally and to be working alongside the fantastic teams at Guardian Angels and University of Sunderland. We can’t wait to get started.”
Announcing the partnership, Dr Usher Titus, chair of Kerala’s Additional Skill Acquisition Programme, an initiative led by the Higher Education Department, said: “On one side, we have an institution rooted deeply in care and clinical excellence – Guardian Angel Institute of Caregiving – shaping compassionate, skilled professionals here in India. And on the other hand, we have a globally respected name – Training in Care – with decades of expertise and internationally recognised standards.
“They bring a system that ensures that caregiving is not just practiced, but it is perfected. And I can undoubtedly say that individually, they represent excellence. And together, they are going to represent something far greater – a bridge, a pathway, an opportunity for the aspiring caregivers to step beyond borders, to learn, to grow. It’s not just a collaboration; it’s the beginning of a global pathway for a career in caregiving.”
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Dr Derek Watson, associate professor in cultural management at University of Sunderland, said: “Securing a KTP with Training in Care, worth £200,000, is predicated around the University of Sunderland actively supporting UK organisations and clearly demonstrating that the University has the commercial expertise to tangibly grow businesses.
“Our relationship with Training in Care has been actively nurtured over several years and we are delighted in that this is Training in Care’s first KTP. The two-year project will focus on strategic growth in terms of profit, innovation, and global market expansion. It will also continue to provide a reciprocal gateway to enrich our student commercial insights as they observe Training Cares growth.”
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Bob Rudd has joined forces with South East-based counterpart SX Leisure for the contract
Charlotte and Nick Rudd, of pubs supplier Bob Rudd.(Image: Bob Rudd)
Gambling machine and pool tables specialist Bob Rudd has created jobs on the back of a major contract to supply pubs across the country.
The Tyneside firm has partnered with Witham firm SX Leisure to feed Inspired Entertainment with equipment and servicing to venues, from Northumberland and Cumbria to the West Midlands. The move has created 40 jobs, and will see the two firms supply 1,000 pubs.
Nick Rudd, managing director the Brunswick Village firm, said: “It’s been a busy few months but we couldn’t be happier with how things have gone. Being selected to support a significant portfolio of pub venues previously supplied by Inspired has given us the opportunity to bring our service-first model to even more venues and the feedback from customers has been fantastic.
“It’s a real testament to the dedication of our entire team — both existing staff and new arrivals.”
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He added: “The move has also strengthened staffing — with new colleagues joining the business — and enhanced our ability to provide responsive, high-quality support nationwide. We’re seeing the benefits of scale without compromising the independent, service-led approach for which the business is known.”
Together the two companies have taken on more than 1,800 machines across 1,000 venues with SX Leisure reporting a 30% uptick in business. Greg Wood, director at SX Leisure, said: “It’s been an exciting challenge for both our existing team and those who’ve joined us during this process.
“The response from both our longstanding clients and new venues has been overwhelmingly positive. Our new colleagues have hit the ground running and I can’t thank the entire team enough for delivering the full SX Leisure experience at scale.”
As well headquarters in Witham, SX also has depots in Yeovil and Washington. Mr Wood added: “Our growth has never been taken for granted and this is just the beginning of the next chapter in SX Leisure’s journey.”
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Inspired continues to supply both companies as well as supplying retail gaming and betting businesses — including licensed betting shops, bingo and slots rooms, motorway services and pubs. Ian Shreeve, vice president and general manager gaming sales UK at Inspired said “This partnership has been everything we hoped for.
“Both the Bob Rudd and SX Leisure teams have delivered on every level — providing efficient operations, dependable service and a customer-first mindset. Inspired remains fully committed to the UK pub market and this collaboration ensures that pubs and customers continue to receive the highest-quality games, terminals, service and support.”
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