ESPN reports that Bill Laimbeer turned down consideration for the Knicks job and is interested in the opening in Seattle. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2108044 This is an interesting possibility. He was the epitome of the tough big man in the game and turned the team with the worst record in the WNBA into the the team with the best and won a championship all in the course of one season. He has kept them competitive in the next two seasons after losing key players to free agency and injury. He is big on defense, but lets the offense flow. I like the possibility of him coaching in Seattle. Any thoughts?
Now, I don't want to be sexist or anything and say coaching a WNBA team is weak, cause it's not. I just don't think it's anything like the NBA, and I really don't even know if he's qualified to be a head coach besides that.
I know nothing of his coaching skills. I know I hated him as a player, though <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">Now, I don't want to be sexist or anything and say coaching a WNBA team is weak, cause it's not. I just don't think it's anything like the NBA, and I really don't even know if he's qualified to be a head coach besides that.</div> Well Michael Cooper found out that telling Lisa Leslie to get back on defense was a bit different than telling it to 'Melo
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">I know nothing of his coaching skills. I know I hated him as a player, though Well Michael Cooper found out that telling Lisa Leslie to get back on defense was a bit different than telling it to 'Melo </div> Motivation is definitely different, since it is commonly accepted that women and men think and communicate differently. I think Laimbeer as a former player clearly knows the NBA game and the mentality of the players. He has been bucking for an NBA job all along. I think coaching is coaching in basketball. However, you need to know the style of the game you are playing (NBA vs. International for example) and have either a flexible communication style or the smarts to bring in the right assistants. I don't see him any less qualified than an NBDL or CBA coach would be...but certainly less qualified than a former head coach with significant NBA assistant coach years behind him. How about a Weiss, Laimbeer, Wilkens and Sikma coaching team. This would give Laimbeer a chance to grow if he were not ready. I doubt you walk away from the Knicks job for an assistant position unless he figures to take over in a couple of years and wants the extra time. We saw how well THAT plan worked for Coop.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting psheehy:</div><div class="quote_post"> How about a Weiss, Laimbeer, Wilkens and Sikma coaching team. This would give Laimbeer a chance to grow if he were not ready. I doubt you walk away from the Knicks job for an assistant position unless he figures to take over in a couple of years and wants the extra time. We saw how well THAT plan worked for Coop.</div> That would be a great idea. We'd have our own guy in Weiss as the Head Coach and some seasoned coaches assisting him. If we were able to get Laimbeer and Wilkens on the staff then it would make Weiss' job that much easier. If we're not going to sign an expensive dynamic impact coach, I think this would be our best option...staying with a guy the players know and trust and adding some highly experienced basketball guys to assist him.
