“Those were battles” - Larry Bird and Robert Parish were ‘arch-rivals’ of Cedric Maxwell and Kevin McHale

The Boston Celtics of the 1980s were renowned for their exceptional team chemistry. Their solidarity was evident in how they defended one another in every physical altercation with the away team, and this camaraderie helped them win three championships in six years. However, the strong bond they showcased during games did not preclude intense competition during practice sessions. Cedric Maxwell's assertion that Larry Bird and Robert Parish were arch nemesis of him and Kevin McHale justified just that.

Cedric Maxwell on his arch nemesis

The quartet of Maxwell, McHale, Parish, and Bird led the Celtics to two championships, with each player averaging double-digit points in each of those winning campaigns. So, while their different playing styles and demeanor meshed well on the court, their competitive drive didn't allow them to be cordial with one another during practice sessions.

"I tell people who our arch-enemies were. For you and I, it was Robert Parish and Larry Bird. Every day in practice it was you and I together. I think back on it and it was unbelievable basketball when you think of those Hall of Famers and basketball IQs and the way those guys played," Maxwell said on his podcast. "With the way you and I got together and played against Larry and Robert, those were battles."

Mchale agreed with Ced's sentiments and shared that while everyone respected each other and kept things light by joking around, once they were on the court, it was strictly business. Not only was everyone itching to be the best, but their fierceness led them to even cuss each other out.

"We may have had laughs and joked around, but when we started competing, it was dead serious," Kevin added. "We had a lot of times when we're mfing each other, screaming at each other."

Kevin gave respect to his arch nemesis

Even though McHale went from being a two-time 6MOTY to a full-time starter, replacing Maxwell in the Celtics' starting lineup, it would have been easy to brag about becoming one of the team's top players. But he gave a real sense of how competitive and humbling those practice sessions were for him and how Parish never let him get the upper hand.

"Robert had that damn pterodactyl shot. I tried blocking that thing. I always said, 'I'm going to get it today,' and I jumped and never blocked his jumper," McHale concluded. "Played with the guy for 12 years and never blocked his jumper."

It's safe to say that the respect among the Celtics players helped them stay close even after retiring. Whether McHale gave a shoutout to Maxwell in his Hall of Fame speech or Parish pointed out Bird's leadership skills over Michael Jordan's , the Celtics' core never failed to uplift each other's legacies.

Related: "We didn't get along with them anyway, so why not go for 70" - Larry Bird was pissed after Kevin McHale scored 56 against vs. Pistons