.jpg) Laimbeer in 2019 as Las Vegas Aces head coach | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 19, 1957 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes, California) |
| College | Notre Dame (1975–1979) |
| NBA draft | 1979: 3rd round, 65th overall pick |
| Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| Playing career | 1979–1994 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 41, 40 |
| Coaching career | 2002–2021 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1979–1980 | Basket Brescia |
| 1980–1982 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1982–1993 | Detroit Pistons |
| As coach: | |
| 2002–2009 | Detroit Shock |
| 2009–2011 | Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant) |
| 2013–2017 | New York Liberty |
| 2018–2021 | Las Vegas Aces |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach:
| |
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 13,790 (12.9 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 10,400 (9.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,184 (2.0 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
William Laimbeer Jr. (born May 19, 1957) is an American former professional basketball coach and player who spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Pistons. Known for his physical style of play, he played a big part in the Pistons earning the nickname the “Bad Boys" in the mid-1980s before helping them win back-to-back NBA championships.
In his National Basketball Association (NBA) career, Laimbeer was known for his 11-year tenure with the Detroit Pistons during their "Bad Boys" era. Although a solid shooter and rebounder, Laimbeer became notorious for his physical play and reputation for delivering hard, often flagrant fouls. Laimbeer played at center with Hall of Fame backcourt guards Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars and forward Dennis Rodman, winning back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990 with the Pistons, and being named an NBA All-Star four times.[1][2] Prior to the NBA, he played for the University of Notre Dame and Palos Verdes High School in Southern California.
After his playing career, Laimbeer served as the head coach and general manager of the Detroit Shock in the WNBA from 2002 to 2009, coaching the team to three league championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008.[3] He was the head coach of the New York Liberty from 2013 to 2017 and the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces from 2018 until 2021. He has twice been named the WNBA's Coach of the Year.
- ^ "BILL LAIMBEER: MR. PERSONALITY » Mitch Albom". November 21, 2008. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ B, Mike. "Shining Light on Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons Memorable "Bad Boys" Era". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ Longman, Jeré (June 5, 2007). "Aggressive, Infuriating and Successful". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.