Comments on: Detroit Pistons Coach Dreams: Bill Laimbeer

By: trav

trav — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:50:06 +0000

Yeah, he’s not ready!….. Lets let him be a assistant coach for 10 years, develop assistant attributes and skills, then hire him….. Just like John Kuester! good idea. Lambs is ready now, the pistons arn’t going anywhere anytime soon anyway.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 07:36:31 +0000

I really don’t think anyone is acting like it’s a for sure thing.. What we are is a bunch of hopeful fans who have watched the Pistons go from teh top to bottom, with no sign of light ahead.. We are hopeful that with the bad realationships that have developed with the last two coaches, a guy like Laimbeer would ensure this doesn’t happen. Maybe any other team in the NBA wouldn’t focus on that, but No other team had a team orchestrated walkout last year, no other team has gone back to back coaches in recent years with chemistry issues. No other team goes through the amount of coaches as Joe has.. Maybe it’s those reasons that we are FINALLY all opening up to the fact that a Pistons legend might just be the very thing we need..

And the analogy of if he was from another town, we wouldn’t like him is off base.. I don’t see a whole lot of people here saying “Lets hire Isiah Thomas!”. Yes, he’s from here, but we’ve seen some of the issues he’s had. We are much more hopeful that the GOOD expieriences that Laimbeer HAS had, could potentially translate to the NBA. Do we know that it will?? Of course not.. But he seems much more of a sure thing then our last couple stints..

And just another note, you guys both seem to think having head coaching experience in the NBA is the end all be all. Sure it helps, but most the guys we are talking about have never won a title. Isn’t that the measure of “greatness”? If you have head coaching experience, but haven’t won a title, or don’t have perfect track records, why does that make you a better candidate? Just because you’ve coached a team? I don’t like that logic anymore then I like the “Blind Hope” that many of us have of Laimbeer.,

You’re right, he may not be a sure thing.. BUT, neither is ANY other coach out there… EVERY coach is a gamble, but for all we know, Laimbeer could be the next Phil Jackson.. (Joking..)
We will never know until someone gives him a shot, i just think there is no better time for the Pistons to take that gamble.. Hell, we’ve gambled greatly the last two choices.. What’s to keep Joe from doing so again? (Especially if fans are on board!!)

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 07:22:31 +0000

Your way too far into my comments. I’m just saying, you can’t put it on the assistant coach when a team, with mediocre talent doesn’t compete well. In all fairness, his job was to work with the Bigs.. I’d say Kevin Love averaging 20/15, and Darko playing better then he ever has (Still not that good, i digress), I think he’s done a good job. Your argument makes me feel even stronger about hiring him.. Make the right moves, sign the right players – and we got a coach who is proven to know how to excel with good teams, with decent talent.. How is that a knock on him? Sounds pretty good to me! More importantly, look at the successful Shock teams – YOUNG players.. (Primarily). Again, pretty good traits in my book.

More importantly, I don’t think you are giving him enough credit for the “Worst to First” accomplishment. Yes, they had a better team, but it’s NEVER happened in professional sports. Ever. Let alone as a first time coach. I’d say that’s a “Pro” that deserves more then a half sentence, and IMO leads me to believe he’s a bit more ready then you believe. More then that. he didn’t just have a fluke season, he won two more titles, becoming the winning-est post season coach in the WNBA. And i understand WNBA is much different, but regardless of how you want to view it, he has proven successful as a head coach. He has proven he can help players excel. He is known for his toughness, and was a defensive machine. He was extremely smart as a player, by MANY accounts. As you know, he wasn’t the most athletic guy in the NBA.. His toughness, and IQ allowed him to be successful in the league.

What does it have to do with his coaching? Well, possibly nothing at all. But i’d like to think that it sure can help to translate to how you are viewed by others.. Any we all know we could use a tough nose guy in the locker room in Detroit, that will demand respect. I’d like to think it wouldn’t even have to be “Demanded”, it will be assumed, and inevitable should he get hired.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:16:16 +0000

Why should there be "no" question?

No one here is saying he doesn't deserve an interview and serious consideration. But there is no one on the Pistons are currently talking to who is a can't-miss candidate. They all have positives and negatives, and that is really the whole point of this series we've been doing.

If Laimbeer has more positives in the interview process than the others, I have no problem with his hiring. But I don't know how anyone can consider him automatically the best candidate for this job without further evaluation.

By: Murph

Murph — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:42:49 +0000

Ms. Laimbeer….since you’re the only one here with any real knowledge of the situation, I’d be interested to know what your opinion is.

Do you have any knowledge as to why your father has been passed over numerous times for a coaching position with the Pistons, even after his outrageously successful stint with the Shock?

Also, is it safe to assume that your father and Joe Dumars have a “chilly” relationship?

By: Ron Fraley Sr

Ron Fraley Sr — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:41:10 +0000

There should be no question that Bill Laimeer should be the head Pistons coach going into the 2011 season.

He emulates confidence with His every Move.

Bill Laimbeer Passes leadership to His strongest Player and they, in turn pass it on to the Younger Players.

Rick Mahorn would definitely be hired as His assistant.

Bill Laimbeer exploits the weakness of every opponent He coaches against.

The enthusiasm of the Detroit Pistons Fans would finally return to respectfully..along with an improved Win-Loss record.

Sign on the Dotted Line Bill

………………………………………….

By: joejoejoe

joejoejoe — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:40:44 +0000

Doc Rivers got a coaching job as an announcer, as did Pat Riley. Now Mark Jackson is getting a shot too. The idea that Bill Laimbeer doesn’t have enough experience to be considered is crazy. The WNBA experience on his resume is unique and probably works against him but that says more about NBA execs than it does Bill Laimbeer. He’s also got some GM-type experience in his last job that has to threaten existing GMs. I don’t know how Bill Laimbeer would do as an NBA coach, nobody does, but he has done enough to get a shot as coach. Why can is Kevin McHale a good choice for a smart GM in Houston, after compiling a series of horrible teams, violating NBA rules with the Joe Smith debacle, firing two of his own coaches and having to step in as interim coach? Two small sample sizes as interim coach are worth more than Laimbeer’s WNBA championships, dedication as assistant coach, and work ethic that made a slow tall guy a borderline HOF center?
Bill Laimbeer scares timid people. Just like NFL teams should almost always go for it on 4th down but don’t because of the fear of standing out, NBA teams discount Laimbeer’s unique resume and well known strong personality. But successful organizations should never fear hiring strong personalities who are brilliant and Bill Laimbeer should get a head coaching job, if not in Detroit than someplace that doesn’t fear change.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:48:19 +0000

It’s possible, but I’d say it’s usually not a good idea to have someone whom most fans want to be head coach. That just undermines the current head coach. Players might tune out the head coach, knowing Laimbeer has more pull than a typical assistant. It certainly could work, but the risk of dysfunction is too high.

By: Cliff

Cliff — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:33:20 +0000

is there any possibilty that we’ll snag laimbeer as an assitant coach?

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:31:24 +0000

Fans want to see a winner. Even there’s an early bump in ticket sales because of Laimbeer — which, like Patrick, I doubt would happen — it wouldn’t last if the team loses. Hiring the best coach, regardless of how fans perceive him at the time he’s hired, is the best way to build fan support.