When NBA fans debate the greatest teams in league history, a few iconic squads always come to mind: the Golden State Warriors' juggernaut featuring Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala; Michael Jordan's legendary 1995-96 Chicago Bulls; and the Boston Celtics' dominant 1986 championship run. But what connects these dynasties beyond their trophy cases? Hall of Fame big man Robert Parish, who anchored that Celtics team, sees a clear throughline in how they played the game.

"Those teams mirrored how we played," Parish recently shared with Essentially Sports' Mark Medina. "There was a lot of ball movement and a lot of body movement; there was solid coaching. That's where it starts, with the coaching." It's a thread that weaves from Boston to Chicago to Golden State—especially with Warriors coach Steve Kerr having played for those Bulls teams, connecting the eras like a basketball family tree.

Parish, affectionately known as "The Chief," emphasized that great teams are built from the bench up. "Every great team mirrors the coaching philosophy," he said. And while fans love to imagine these squads facing off, Parish believes the rules of the game would make all the difference. "I think it would've been exciting—it would've been physical, too. If we had the same rules that we had back then when we were active players, it would be a more physical ballgame. There would be a lot more contact and less freedom of movement. I think that would add to the allure of the two teams competing."

For Parish, the heart of the matter isn't just about skill—it's about letting the players decide the outcome. "I like the fact that the officials would let the players decide the outcome of the ballgame, not the officials making calls that they should not have called," he said. "They would just let it go and let us play. Those are the best officials. They let the teams decide the outcome of the ballgame. That's how we would've been adjudicated. They would let us decide who is going to win."

Whether you're repping the green of Boston, the red of Chicago, or the blue and gold of Golden State, one thing's clear: the spirit of championship basketball is about movement, coaching, and letting the game speak for itself. And that's a philosophy any fan—or any player—can get behind.