Bill Laimbeer

American basketball center and power forward who won two NBA championships with Detroit Pistons and was known as one of the league's most physical players

William Laimbeer Jr. was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1957 and attended Notre Dame. Cleveland Cavaliers selected him in the third round of the 1979 NBA Draft. His 14-season career — primarily with the Detroit Pistons — produced two NBA championships (1989, 1990), four All-Star appearances and a reputation as the most physically intimidating center of the Bad Boy era. He averaged 12.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team once. He led the league in rebounding once. His physicality — setting screens that were frequently just inside legal limits, elbows that defenders approached cautiously, and a willingness to do whatever was necessary to disrupt opponents — made him the most hated opposing player in the NBA during the Pistons championship run. He was the enforcer who enabled Dennis Rodman's rebounding and protected Isiah Thomas from physical abuse. After retirement he became head coach of the Detroit Shock of the WNBA, winning three championships. He was later an assistant coach with multiple NBA teams. His coaching success in the WNBA is often cited as among the finest in women's basketball history.

Physical center/power forward, strong rebounder, outside shooting ability

Key member of Detroit Pistons' back-to-back NBA championships, known for tough defensive play

• NBA Champion 2x (1989, 1990)
• All-Star 4x
• All-NBA Second Team