Bill Laimbeer joined the Timberwolves after seven successful seasons as the head coach and general manager of the WNBA's Detroit Shock. During that time, Laimbeer coached the Shock to three WNBA Championships (2003, 2006, 2008), four Eastern Conference titles, and a historic worst-to-first turnaround (the Shock, 9-23 a year earlier won a league-best 25 games the following season) for which he was named 2003 WNBA Coach of the Year.
Laimbeer amassed a regular-season record of 136-90 (.602) and a postseason mark of 27-16 (.628), which includes the most postseason wins (27) and WNBA Finals victories (10) in league history. Laimbeer, who became head coach on June 19, 2002, despite no previous coaching experience, resigned from the Shock on June 15, 2009 to pursue NBA coaching opportunities.
A four-time NBA All-Star center (1983-85, 1987), Laimbeer played 13-plus seasons in the NBA and finished with career averages of 12.9 points and 9.7 rebounds in 1,068 games. He led the NBA in rebounding during the 1985-86 season (13.1 rpg) and finished his career as the Pistons' all-time leading rebounder with 9,430. In 113 playoff games, Laimbeer averaged 12.0 points and 9.7 rebounds as Detroit posted a 71-42 (.628) mark with him at center. He was a key member of the Pistons' "Bad Boys" teams that won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.
Originally drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third round (65th overall) in the 1979 NBA Draft, the Notre Dame product was traded to Detroit in a multiplayer deal on Feb. 16, 1982.
Laimbeer and his wife, Chris, have two children, Eric and Kerriann.
Bill Laimbeer, NBA legend and assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, is available through IMG Speakers bureau for speaking engagements. Bill Laimbeer is also available for corporate hospitality appearances, meet and greets, and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Bill Laimbeer.
