And that it was on purpose! Leonard denies it. By the way, both were joking! http://forwardcenter.net/shootaroun...putes-over-elbows-aminus-first-dad-road-trip/
Through the whole thing I was thinking "please be joking... please be joking..... please be joking..... YAY!"
Good, let's hope he also channels his outer Laimbeer - the one who averaged > 12rpg four years in a row, made 4 all-star teams in a five year stretch, played in 80, or more, games 12 straight seasons and won two NBA championships. And, is currently in the top 50 all-time in career: Offensive Rebounds (32) Defensive Rebounds (18) Total Rebounds (32) Personal Fouls (20) Defensive Rebound Pct. (17) Total Rebound Pct. (45) Offensive Rating (40) Defensive Win Shares (45) He's also top 100 in many more career categories, and advanced stats, most notably: Win Shares (65) Win Shares/48 (97) Defensive Box Plus/Minus (89) VORP (73) ELO (97) The only thing that has kept him out of the Hall of Fame was how much he was hated as a player. If Meyers Leonard can have anything close to a similar NBA career, I'll b thrilled beyond belief. BNM
I would put Charles Oakley in the same category as Laimbeer.... and Dennis Rodman. I love the guys who were hard nosed, played good defense, and messed with the other guy's minds.
Oh, I absolutely hated him at the time, but in hindsight, I acknowledge just how important his contributions were to those DET championship teams. Defense and rebounding wins titles and that's what he brought - that and six HARD fouls.. BNM
There was so much more intimidation back then.... and hated rivalries. I can't even think of the last time there was a rivalry like the Bulls/Pistons. Maybe the Heat/Knicks? Or the Lakers/Kings? But that was 15 years ago...
How about Najera? He isn't good enough to really be mentioned with those you mentioned, but same style of play.
I like most people hated Laimbeer more than I words could say. But I got to admit, any guy that goes into the Boston Garden and spits on Lucky the Leprechaun, can't be ALL bad. I think most of his peers only had a problem with him because he was dirty. Other than that, he was an amazing competitor.