Latest news with #Laimbeer
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird sparked old rivalry in 2009 WNBA playoffs
With the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals against the Thunder, it's put a spotlight on the basketball-crazed state. Plus, Caitlin Clark has been part of the storylines as the Fever and WNBA superstar has been at plenty of Pacers playoff games over the past few weeks. So, enter another Indiana (and Celtics) legend into the fold: Larry Bird. In diving into the friendship between Clark and Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton in an ESPN story by Ramona Shelburne, Bird ended up being a fun footnote. The C's legend did whatever he could to beat an old rival during the 2009 WNBA playoffs. Advertisement Shelburne dug up an old story where the Fever played the Detroit Shock in the 2009 WNBA East Finals. Bird was the Pacers' president of basketball operations at the time. While he supported the Fever, there was another layer to the series: the Shock were coached by former Pistons big man Rick Mahorn. But, notably, before Mahorn was the interim coach for that year, Detroit was actually coached by Bill Laimbeer, who resigned three games into the season. And, well, Bird and Laimbeer's longtime hatred is well-documented from decades ago. Former Fever president Kelly Krauskopf told Shelburne that Bird would say to her, 'I'm always here if you need anything.' Bird stuck to his word when Krauskopf asked for his help before Game 3 of the East Finals against the Shock. Bird called Pacers CEO Rick Fuson because he 'wanted to buy up all the empty seats in the upper bowl and then give them away the next morning.' Plus, Krauskopf asked Bird for a pregame speech. 'He gave quite the inspirational speech that morning,' Krauskopf told ESPN. 'It's not suitable to repeat, but it was personal. And they felt it.' Still, while Laimbeer was no longer the Shock coach by the 2009 WNBA playoffs, he had plenty of influence on the organization at the time. He won three WNBA titles in 2003, 2006 and 2008. Plus, the Shock eliminated the Fever in the 2008 WNBA playoffs, so Bird likely didn't want a repeat in 2009. Advertisement Bird and Laimbeer's longtime rivalry is well-documented from the 1980s. The Celtics and Pistons met in the East playoffs frequently. While Boston had the edge early on, the 'Bad Boy' Pistons got the better of them at the end of the decade. Those series included altercations between Bird and Laimbeer, so, it's no surprise that Bird was perhaps a bit fired up to beat the Shock back in 2009. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I had a sinking feeling in my heart" - Bill Laimbeer felt Isiah Thomas deserved the Finals MVP over Joe Dumars in 1989
Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars are regarded as the leaders of the Detroit Pistons' Bad Boys. The two guards powered the "Motor City" team to one of the best teams in the NBA from the mid-80s to the early 90s. Their collective intensity, coupled with their basketball talent, guided the likes of Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, and John Salley to unprecedented heights. But while the spotlight often shone on Dumars for his calm demeanor and Finals MVP trophy, Laimbeer had no doubt who really ran the show. For Laimbeer, the heart and soul of the Pistons wore No. 11. Will the real leader please stand up? But popular opinion doesn't always align with player opinion. In Laimbeer's eyes, Thomas was the true leader of the team. The Bad Boy philosophy mirrored "Zeke's" personality and style of play. This ferociousness inspired the Pistons to play with their hearts on their sleeve. So much so that when Dumars snagged the 1989 NBA Finals MVP, Laimbeer felt something was off. Advertisement "That he was voted MVP is insignificant," Laimbeer said in 1990, per the Los Angeles Times. "Because MVP is based on a five-game series. He is our MVP. If you ask anyone on our team or anyone who sees us, they'd all tell you." "This team is his personality. The determination and drive all revolve around him. The fact that Joe Dumars won the (NBA finals MVP in 1989) is great. We all felt happy for him, but I had a sinking feeling in my heart. It was sad for me because of all Isiah had done over the years. Now that he's won it, I feel so warm and happy for him," he added. Pistons' legendary point guard was labeled as a dirty player throughout his career, but the former Hoosier took it in stride and just played on. Thomas' brand of basketball was all about being physical, but not everyone subscribed to this. This made him a constant target of the media and other NBA players. This tarnished his reputation, but instead of folding, the Chicago native stuck to his guns. Related: "I got so much criticism because I was able to shoot" - Ewing on why he wishes he had come up in this era Tough love Laimbeer gravitated towards this philosophy simply because it was also how he operated. In one practice session, the center and point guard almost came to blows after Bill set a rough screen. Advertisement Isiah reportedly broke his hand after punching Laimbeer, but the two miraculously patched things up after a few days. Bill cleared the air, noting it was just a little tussle between two fierce competitors. "Oh, I would say, basically, competitiveness," Laimbeer said. "He's his own strong-willed personality; I'm my own strong-willed personality. Those things happen…Oh, we love each other. I mean, it's the bottom line that won't ever change." Perhaps the ultimate act of their camaraderie came in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals against the Chicago Bulls. After a heartbreaking 0-4 series loss to Michael Jordan and crew, Thomas, Laimbeer, and several other Pistons walked off the arena without shaking the Bulls' hands. They were criticized for their lack of sportsmanship. Even today, fans continue to castigate the Pistons bunch and paint them as the ultimate villains. Still, Laimbeer and Thomas continue to stand by their decision. Their philosophy, grounded on a blue-collar work ethic and an uncompromising attitude, lives on. That alone deserves respect. Related: "You can just go by winning record, right?" - Isiah Thomas reluctantly included Michael Jordan in his top-five toughest-ever opponents
