tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945083735644991164.post4745334850103310294..comments2023-10-02T06:33:26.752-07:00Comments on Motor City Mad Mouth Insights: Is Bill Laimbeer NBA Coaching Material?Scott Morganrothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10610898806028440266noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945083735644991164.post-4138347309865794322009-08-20T16:13:09.221-07:002009-08-20T16:13:09.221-07:00Well written.
My take.
Bill Laimbeer was a winne...Well written.<br /><br />My take.<br /><br />Bill Laimbeer was a winner in his entire basketball career. The man, with limited athletically ability was able to beat people with far better natural ability. he earned every minute he played, and was far more valuable than the checks he cashed. He was a steal of a player. And a player you just don't find very often. And in his case might not ever find.<br /><br />When he first came in the league he was a tamer personality. But he soon realized he, and the team needed a personality. And Laimbeer was the personality of the Pistons. He wore his persona on his sleeve, he was not friendly to the media, he was not friendly to his peers, and was certainly not friendly with opposing players.<br /><br />And yes this, and this alone is what is hurting his ability to find a coaching job. As he was a far better player, and arguably a smarter basketball mind than most former players turned GM or coach.<br /><br />Was he better than Paxson? Yes. Skiles? Yes. Del Negro? Yes. Rambis? yes. Rivers? Yes. Ainge? Yes. I can go on... Cartwright... You get the idea.<br /><br />But where these players have the upper hand on Laimbeer was not talent, or brawns, or brains. It was social networking. And Laimbeer just graded a flat F in that regard.<br /><br />But here is the kicker. You go back in time... Soften Laimbeer up. Make him kindler, gentle. Well you probably have just killed off the Bad Boys championships. Laimbeer sold his professional soul for those titles. He knows it, Isiah knows it. Dumars.<br /><br />Look I have heard some CLASSIC stories that puts your bad leg story to shame. Not even in the top 100 probably. He made a little girls go crying out of the locker room while she was only doing a school report. Made a professional singer feel "so small" when after she sang the national anthem during a playoff game she told Bill "I sang the national anthem for you, good luck out there" In which big Bill replied "I don't care if you sang us an entire concert".<br /><br />But let me tell you. Laimbeer has done allot for charity. He has helped many kids foundations. (he lost his first child at birth) And really, he is a very nice honest, and charismatic person. You just have to get to know him. You have to stand up to him, and be honest. He respects honesty. And he was an honest person. For better or worse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com