12.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 50 FG%, 33 3P%, 84 FT%
“Bill Laimbeer was one of the most notorious players ever to throw an elbow, thrust a hip, or feign being fouled. Certainly, no player was ever showered with more boos or unflattering nicknames. Laimbeer was called “the prince of darkness,” “a street thug,” “an ax murderer” and “His Heinous.”
In 14 bruising NBA seasons Laimbeer made up for his minuscule vertical leap, slow feet, and sluggishness by becoming a master of posturing, muscling, and anticipating — plus fomenting trouble, pretending to be fouled, and drawing his opponents’ ire. Laimbeer always seemed to be nursing a brawl-induced shiner or broken nose. He was punched by some of the league’s best players, including Robert Parish, including Bob Lanier, including Larry Bird and including Charles Barkley. “We don’t like him that good,” Bird once told Sports Illustrated.
The Laimbeer “flop” became the stuff of legend. A grimacing Laimbeer would often go careening to the floor in reaction to the slightest tap from an opponent. More often than not, the whistle went his way. With aggravating if not refreshing candor, Laimbeer never disavowed his on-court histrionics.
Nevertheless, Laimbeer was one of the league’s finest centers throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s. In 12 seasons with Detroit, Laimbeer became the Pistons’ all-time leader in rebounds and second in games played. Playing the role of head villain, he led the “Bad Boys” of Detroit to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.” [Read]
[Note: RSS readers, there is a video within this blog]
[Sources: NBA.com, YouTube, Basketball-Reference.com]
September 8th, 2008 at 7:11 am
[...] Baller of the day Bill Lambeer < Baller Blogger [...]
September 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Mr. concrete shoes himself…what a player!
Laimbeer was a very odd creature, but he got the job done. The funny part is, he was known for being one of the toughest players around…despite being a flop-artist. In the same way that Dr. J & M.J. perfected the art of dunking…Laimbeer may be responsible for the art of flop-fest.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Shooter,
You’re right. I always credited Vlade as the originator of the flop. But watching the Laimbeer video brought back a lot memories.
I have a pretty large collection of Barkley quotes. Here is what the Chuckster said about Laimbeer:
“I thought Bill Laimbeer was the whiniest, most despicable, most disgusting guy in the game. On the other hand, I always respected him as a player.”
That’s how I feel about Laimbeer. I don’t agree with his tactics, but I respect that he did what he had to do to for his team to win.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
[...] Ballerblogger’s ode to Bill Laimbeer. [...]
September 9th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Maybe the best shooting center of his generation, too.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Dave,
You’ll get no argument from me.