Bill Laimbeer

Birth Name:

William Laimbeer

Birth Place:

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Profession

Actor

Retired from the NBA as the Detroit Pistons' all-time leader in rebounds and games played
The Detroit Pistons retired his No․ 40 jersey
Played basketball for Notre Dame University when not attending technical college
Was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1979 NBA Draft
During the 1979-80 basketball season, he played in Italy
Attended Palos Verdes High School in California
Quote: "I don't fight․ I agitate, then walk away․"
Quote: "As far as centers go, I'm not Moses [Malone] or Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]․ I'm striving to be the best of the rest․"
Developed a notorious reputation in the NBA for throwing elbows, thrusting hips and feigning being fouled
In 1982, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he proved himself to be a skilled center
After retiring from the NBA, he served as president of Laimbeer Packaging Corp․, a corrugated box-making factory
Unpopular with fellow NBA players, he was punched by such greats as Robert Parish, Bob Lanier, Larry Bird and Charles Barkley
Returned to his basketball roots later in life as the head coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock

Fast Facts