Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Bill Laimbeer Chat Transcript
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Bill Laimbeer's name sparks one thing in the collective mind of the Detroit community - the desire to win and achieve success in whatever he is involved with. In 2005, Laimbeer finished his fourth season as head coach of the Detroit Shock with a record of 16-18.
The 2005-06 NBA season marks Laimbeer's fifth as Pistons television analyst, working alongside George Blaha on all WB20 telecasts. Laimbeer chatted with Shock fans on Tuesday, November 8 on DetroitShock.com |  |
Bill Laimbeer: Well I'm back again for another web chat. With the Shock season being complete and a new Pistons season starting, I'm looking forward to scouting the college ranks this year and calling the Pistons games on Channel 20 - WB20 Detroit and WDIV Channel 4 with George Blaha.
Dee (Providence RI): Hey Bill, when your daughter graduates from Syracuse in 4 years do you think she will be draft eligible?
Bill Laimbeer: Draft eligible yes. Everybody is when they graduate. Whether she'll draft in, I would like to hope so, but I don't think so. It's very competitive, and this league is getting bigger all of the time. With her being 6-foot-2 she would be a small forward in the WNBA by the time she graduates.
Amanda: Grand Rapids: : Hey Bill how are you big guy? Should the Pistons retire #10 Dennis Rodman, #23 Mark Aguirre, and #44 Rick Mahorn? They were a big part in the glory years, don't you think so?
Bill Laimbeer: That's a very difficult question to answer. Obviously, myself and many others have emotional ties to the players that won championships. But jersey retirements are traditionally for those players that have spent all of their career, or a vast majority of it, with that team. So in those cases you've cited, the rule of thumb probably does not apply.
Pilar (Miami): Hi Bill! I was wondering, can you please tell me the names of the people that you plan to protect for next year?
Bill Laimbeer: The league does not allow us to divulge the names of protected players. I can say that we will be coring Katie Smith. So having figured that out, the rest of the protected players should be very easy to assume.
John Swartz (Los Angeles): You give great in-game analyzing comments to assist Blaha's play by play. Plus, your honest comments and compliments towards both teams is nice. What NBA team, other than the Pistons, would you like to coach?
Bill Laimbeer: The question is better answered this way: What team would I NOT want to coach? I would definitely not want to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. I definitely do not see any opportunity to coach in Boston.
Stephanie (Syracuse): Coach Laimbeer: The 10th anniversary season of the WNBA is approaching. What do you think the WNBA has done well the past nine seasons to allow the league to be as successful as it has been?
Bill Laimbeer: The number one improvement in the WNBA has been the talent of the players. They are bigger, faster, stronger and younger. The commitment by the ownership of each team is as strong as it's ever been, as well as the commitment from the TV partners - which really gives the league a boost. There is no doubt, the core fans of the WNBA are very passionate and help sell the game.
Louisville: What role does coach Byrd play with the team?
Bill Laimbeer: Laurie Byrd is our primary scout coach. She watches most of the video tape, puts together player tendancies, and recommends part of the game plan. In addition, she works with the guards during practice to improve their skills.
Estee (Buffalo): What are the top three things the Shock must work on to win another title? What kind of player are you looking for to draft?
Bill Laimbeer: The top things we need are a consistent effort every game, a little more confidence in perimeter shooting and a healthy Swin Cash. Our defense is sound, if not the best in the league and our talent is second to none. We do not have a first-round pick per the Katie Smith trade, so we will be looking for a role player who has great athletic ability.
Bobby (Novi): Bill do you ever think you could get out there and play with these younger guys?
Bill Laimbeer: No. I am way too old and out of shape. The players today are bigger, faster and stronger than they were in our generation. But I am definitely smarter than they are (haha).
Sludgeaholic (Los Angeles):
Quick Picks:
1. Texas Hold 'Em or Omaha Hold 'Em?
2. Coney Island or In N Out Burger?
3. Clarendon Hills or Palos Verdes?
4. Digger Phelps or Scotty Robertson?
5. Wesley Eure or Kathy Coleman?
6. Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers?
7. Birth of a child or winning a championship?
8. Bows or rifles?
9. Forget Paris or Hot Shots?
10. Rush Limbaugh or Al Franken?
11. Cushing Manor Inn or Oliver Inn?
Bill Laimbeer: 1. Omaha. 2. Coney Island. 3. Palos Verdes. 4. Ouch. 5. Don't know. 6. Neither. 7. Birth of a child. 8. Rifles for deer hunting. 9. Interesting. Forget Paris. 10. Limbaugh, no question. 11. Don't know.
KAH, Memphis: Hey, Coach, do you think next season Swin will come out playing 100 percent, like 2004 season since she was out for a lot of games this season with a torn ACL?
Bill Laimbeer: Yes I do, she's working very hard on strengthening her leg. I saw her today and she's very happy.
Michael: Detroit: In a one on one game between Isiah Thomas and Allen Iverson, who would win?
Bill Laimbeer: Isiah Thomas would win. He's a little bit taller, a little more physical, and obviously he wins because he's a Pistons player.
Andrew (Ann Arbor): Could Kara Braxton have dunked over Margo Dydek at the end of the playoffs instead of laying it up where Margo could block it? That would have been exciting.
Bill Laimbeer: There's no question that Kara can dunk. There's also no question that there is nobody else in the league that could have taken the ball to the basket with such speed and force as Kara did. Unfortunately, there is no one else in the league that could block that shot except Margo Dydek.
John Rochester:: Bill, what do you think about Miami picking up Gary Payton, Jason Williams, and Antoine Walker?
Bill Laimbeer: Miami has definitely loaded up to try and get to the Finals. Of all the acquisitions, I believe Walker will be the most important one. Not only can he shoot three-balls, but more importantly, he can rebound alongside Shaq - which is something they have been missing.
Dan, Davison: Bill, my wife and I think you are the best color man in the business, you really help make the fun. With Flip's emphasis on offense do you think our defense will tend to drop off?
Bill Laimbeer: The players are pretty defensive-minded. That won't change, and their skills won't go away. So moving more towards an offensive game, the Pistons had to adapt or find themselves behind. So far, although it's still early, the results are encouraging for the offense.
Rufus (Manila, Philippines): We miss you on the court. Who do you think among today's players plays like you the most?
Bill Laimbeer: Probably the foreign players. They are more perimeter as I was with my jump shot. Although they're not as good at rebounding as I may have been.
pilight: Forget the Lakers, have the Sparks tried to hire you away from Detroit?
Bill Laimbeer: No. I have no desire to coach anywhere in the WNBA but Detroit because this is my home.
Nick (Pontiac): Hi Bill Laimbeer. It's obvious that Joe Dumars knows what he's doing. The 1986-1990 Detroit Pistons were a great group of guys that hung their hat on defense. It seems Joe has been molding The Pistons into the teams he played on ever since he stepped off the court and into the office.
1. How do you compare these Pistons (2003-2006) to your Bad Boys (86-90)? Team wise, and/or player match-up?
2. Dennis Rodman vs Ben Wallace?
3. John Salley vs Rasheed Wallace?
4. You vs Sheed/Darko?
5. Rip vs Joe/Vinnie?
6. Chauncey vs Joe/Vinnie?
7. James Edwards vs Sheed?
What do you think Bill?
Bill Laimbeer: 1. The Bad Boys were much deeper, more physical and had better shooters. No contest.
2. Tough call- both great defenders; however, Dennis was a more individual defender where Ben is one of the best team help defenders I would ever seen. It's difficult to compare because they are both a different style of defender.
3. Rasheed Wallace. That's not even difficult to answer.
4. Rasheed's a better defensive player, and a better post-up player than I was, so he would probably win out. Darko has a long way to go.
5. That's pretty much a wash, except for the fact that Joe and Vinnie could both play the point for significant minutes, so you have to give them the edge.
6. I'd say that's about an equal. If Chauncey were the star of the show, he would have much bigger numbers than he does right now.
7. Rasheed Wallace.
Christina (Brainerd): Hey! I just wanted to say that you are a great coach! And i wanted to see what your goals are for the next season are? oh.. and can you tell Lisa Leslie hi and that i look up to her alot! thanx! have a great next season!!
Bill Laimbeer: Our goal is always to win the Eastern Conference. We'd like to set the all-time record for scoring one of these years. Lisa Leslie and I don't say much to each other.
Liz (Michigan): Michigan State, or Michigan Wolverines?
Bill Laimbeer: State because my wife went there.
Throwdown, Detroit: Since you are so close to the action with George Blaha during Pistons games have you been able to get an insider's look into Flip Saunders' coaching? Do you learn any thing that you can incorporate into your own coaching philosophy?
Bill Laimbeer: It's too early to fully understand the nuances of Flip's style. Wait for about a half a season and then ask the question again.
Joey from Howell: Hi Bill, I am wondering who your favorite player is on the Pistons team this year? Thank you for the great commentary that you do on the WB 20 network, we enjoy your wisdom about the sport of basketball and great sense of humor! Keep up the good work ! Your ole fan, Joey
Bill Laimbeer: My favorite player would probably be Ben Wallace because of his work ethic and his commitment to defense. But I really like the way Rasheed Wallace plays team basketball.
Jaime (South Bend): What are your plans with Ruth Riley?
Bill Laimbeer: Ruth is now playing in Spain. Last year was a difficult year for her, and she's working on her game as we speak. We value Ruth's great team work and leadership skills, and look forward to her solid play this year.
Carolyn: (Winsor, Canada): Hey Bill how are you big guy. I have two quick questions for you. What was going through your mind during your #40 jersey retirement night? Was it hard to say good-bye to your playing days? I know you only missed nine games in your career.
Bill Laimbeer: My retirement was fun. My family and friends were in town. It was a culmination of being around a long time and getting something done. And a nice party afterwards. As far as retirement, it was time for me to leave. I had lost some of the desire to compete at such a high level. I didn't want to go anywhere else to play, so the time was right for me to step aside.
Chris Bowling Green, Ohio: What do you think about ESPN picking San Antonio and Indiana in the Finals? I know we thrive on being underdogs, but when will the Pistons get respect?
Bill Laimbeer: Many people will pick Indiana in the East. They'll definitely be on a mission this year. I actually expect Indiana to have a better regular season record than Detroit; but I expect Detroit to beat them in the playoffs.
Vince: Toronto: Hey Lamb which is easier coaching or broadcasting? GO PISTONS!
Bill Laimbeer: Broadcasting is so much easier than coaching. All you do is talk about what you see and maybe throw in a few stories. Coaching has a responsibility of not only your players, but also your franchise. So many things can change during the course of a game, that there really is no comparison.
Bill Laimbeer: Sorry I couldn't get to all of your questions today. We'll have to do it again some other time this season. Make sure you all tune in to the Pistons broadcasts on WB20 Detroit and WDIV. Thanks a lot.