Laimbeer meets with Knicks' Thomas

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Bill Laimbeer recently met with Knicks president Isiah Thomas and acknowledged Sunday that he discussed the possibility of coaching the team.

"I suppose that was part of it, yes," Laimbeer said. "We talked about his basketball team, about its structure and what his vision is."

Laimbeer, the former Pistons center who now coaches the WNBA's Detroit Shock, was not more specific, but he said there was no timetable for his next move.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/basketball/nba/specials/playoffs/2005/06/12/knicks.laimbeer.ap/index.html

 

[phunwin]

These guys are two of my favorite players in NBA history. That said, there is no way on God's green earth that Laimbeer is ready to coach the Knicks. Call me a chauvinist if you must, but coaching in the WNBA isn't even the equivalent of coaching a Division I men's program. And guys who have jumped from D-I to the pros have almost universally been terrible.

Laimbeer, if he wants to coach in the NBA, should work as an assistant for a couple years. His head for the game is a good one, and his technique and teaching are sound, but he needs more work with NBA players before getting a head coaching position.

 

[Section126]

I agree....The WNBA is a joke.....In my best athletic days...I would have been at least a 20 point a game scorer in that "league" and a buddy of mine would have been the Michael Jordan of that league....

The suck...there are probably a handful of "real" basketball players in the whole WNBA.

 

[FinsNYanksFan13]

The WNBA is real basketball period. You may not like to watch it because the girls aren't as athletic as guys are but that doesn't mean these girls aren't real basketball players. Tarassi, Bird, Lisa Leslie, and many others used to hold there own against men. Tarrassi used to ball with the UCONN Men's National Championship team everyday to prepare for the season. If you get to the WNBA, you can play ball, period.

As far as Laimbeer goes, I'd rather not have him. I think his coaching skills are limited and I can't see him being successful. The only positive in him getting the job is his discipline but that doesn't out-weight his lack of experience so I don't think he's a good fit!

 

[phunwin]

I agree....The WNBA is a joke.....In my best athletic days...I would have been at least a 20 point a game scorer in that "league" and a buddy of mine would have been the Michael Jordan of that league....

You mean the "Michelle" Jordan.

The problem is this: any top high school team, like Oak Hill or Mater Dei, could probably beat the Detroit Shock. I'm dead serious about that. I have no doubt that any D-I program could, and most good D-II and D-III programs.
But my problem isn't with the WNBA itself. It is what it is. My problem is with the NBA ramming it down my throat constantly, and spending good money that could be used on a much-needed minor league (or, heck, bridging the gap between the owners and players and avoiding a lockout) on a league that NOBODY cares about. It's been around for, what, 7, 8 years or something? No one's watching. No one cares. They've marketed to every possible demographic and no one gives a damn. Two more franchises relocated in the time it took you to read this post. Stop trying to stuff this garbage down my throat!

 

[Section126]

You mean the "Michelle" Jordan.

The problem is this: any top high school team, like Oak Hill or Mater Dei, could probably beat the Detroit Shock. I'm dead serious about that. I have no doubt that any D-I program could, and most good D-II and D-III programs.
But my problem isn't with the WNBA itself. It is what it is. My problem is with the NBA ramming it down my throat constantly, and spending good money that could be used on a much-needed minor league (or, heck, bridging the gap between the owners and players and avoiding a lockout) on a league that NOBODY cares about. It's been around for, what, 7, 8 years or something? No one's watching. No one cares. They've marketed to every possible demographic and no one gives a damn. Two more franchises relocated in the time it took you to read this post. Stop trying to stuff this garbage down my throat!

You don't have to go that far......

If you gave me 30 days to recruit and another 30 days of "team" practice....I can put together a team of players that never played college ball and probably limited HS ball and they would slaughter the WNBA's best team....

The And One team would beat the WNBA all-star team by 50 points....come on....THEY SUCK.

That is not basketball...that is plotting along...pass, catch and shoot set shots.

It is unwatchable crap.

 

[Noodle Arm]

I heard that on the way out, Laimbeer smacked his elbow on Isiah's face. Ahhh that brings back memories. :D

 

[MikeO]

These guys are two of my favorite players in NBA history. That said, there is no way on God's green earth that Laimbeer is ready to coach the Knicks. Call me a chauvinist if you must, but coaching in the WNBA isn't even the equivalent of coaching a Division I men's program. And guys who have jumped from D-I to the pros have almost universally been terrible.

Laimbeer, if he wants to coach in the NBA, should work as an assistant for a couple years. His head for the game is a good one, and his technique and teaching are sound, but he needs more work with NBA players before getting a head coaching position.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson weren't assistants anywhere before they got their first job. Bird took a team to the Finals. Laimbeer is NBA ready in my book. What team, that is a different story.

 

[phunwin]

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson weren't assistants anywhere before they got their first job. Bird took a team to the Finals. Laimbeer is NBA ready in my book. What team, that is a different story.

But Magic was a lousy coach. Bird, of course, is the exception. But then, he's been the exception in most things in life. The number of players who have jumped into a coaching gig without assistant experience and failed is much longer than the list that's succeeded.

To be fair, I think Laimbeer will be a good NBA coach eventually. If he takes the Knicks job, I think he'll fail and learn from his mistakes and be a very good coach in his second go-around.

 

[CanadaPhinsFan]

But Magic was a lousy coach. Bird, of course, is the exception. But then, he's been the exception in most things in life. The number of players who have jumped into a coaching gig without assistant experience and failed is much longer than the list that's succeeded.

To be fair, I think Laimbeer will be a good NBA coach eventually. If he takes the Knicks job, I think he'll fail and learn from his mistakes and be a very good coach in his second go-around.

I don't think that Knicks job is something any coach without NBA experience should walk into. Thomas has done a great job of bringing in overrated and overpaid players. They're still a long way from being anything close to the team they were in the 90's.

I guess that's exactly what makes it more likely that they will get a coach with little or no experience though. Who really wants to step into that mess?

 

[phunwin]

I don't think that Knicks job is something any coach without NBA experience should walk into. Thomas has done a great job of bringing in overrated and overpaid players. They're still a long way from being anything close to the team they were in the 90's.

I guess that's exactly what makes it more likely that they will get a coach with little or no experience though. Who really wants to step into that mess?

That's probably the best argument I've heard for Laimbeer going to the Knicks. Seriously. Any career assistant who's looking to make his mark probably knows better. Someone like Nate McMillan or Flip Saunders knows it's going to kill his rep as a good coach. But for Laimbeer, it's a no-lose situation.

That doesn't make him the right hire for the Knicks, of course, but it helps explain a lot.

 

[FinsNYanksFan13]

I'd bet my life there a lot of coaches out there who would love to step into the Knicks mess, trust me on that!

 

[phunwin]

I'd bet my life there a lot of coaches out there who would love to step into the Knicks mess, trust me on that!

Perhaps, but how many of them are DEFINITELY a better choice than Laimbeer? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually coming around to the Laimbeer logic. IF Isiah is willing to be patient and accept that in his first couple years he'll make some mistakes, he'll get a very good coach in the long run. (note, that's a big IF)

Now, whether that's likely to happen is anyone's guess. Personally, I don't think Zeke has the patience, or the luxury of being patient even if he was so inclined. Knicks management has been in quick-fix mode for roughly 30 years now.

 

[MikeO]

I'd bet my life there a lot of coaches out there who would love to step into the Knicks mess, trust me on that!

The money alone makes it one of the most attractive jobs in the NBA.

You put up with a lot with the press, and the pressure to win since its in NY. But financially its the best job in the NBA. Since all of the side promotion and endorsments you make on top of a good paying salary.

 

[MikeO]

Perhaps, but how many of them are DEFINITELY a better choice than Laimbeer? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually coming around to the Laimbeer logic. IF Isiah is willing to be patient and accept that in his first couple years he'll make some mistakes, he'll get a very good coach in the long run. (note, that's a big IF)

Now, whether that's likely to happen is anyone's guess. Personally, I don't think Zeke has the patience, or the luxury of being patient even if he was so inclined. Knicks management has been in quick-fix mode for roughly 30 years now.

When you charge the prices the Knicks charge for courtside seats, they can't just blow it up and rebuild. They need to be competitive and at least TRY for the playoffs. They don't have the luxery a team like Chicago had after Jordan left to tank it for 3-5 years and not win. Get a bunch of high draft picks and build for the future. NY can't do that and justify charging what they charge for MSG courtside seats.