NEW YORK –Bill Laimbeer met the media on Friday evening, alongside the scorer’s table, and was unusually polite. There weren’t any growls, or stare-downs. Perhaps, it was because he already knew the answers before the questions were asked. More likely, it was because he liked the chances of his team, the Detroit Shock, winning on the road, and inside the building of a conference rival.

Laimbeer thrives on adverse situations. It is a motivational tool, and a necessary element to keep his team sharp. The Shock are WNBA champions for a reason. They play with an edge, and take absolutely nothing for granted.

“The Liberty,” the coach said, before coasting to a 67-57 triumph, “are much improved in every aspect. They compete for the entire game. Their guards seem to have confidence in their play, and [confidence] is a big part of any professional sport.”

Most coaches have said those very same words about their opponent, in the same respectful tone, and with the same serious look that Laimbeer wore. On occasion, their words won’t matter much, simply because several of those coaches will let the game escape their grasp, or will not have the manpower that is needed to win the game’s important minutes.

Laimbeer, a two-time NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons, has now won twice in four seasons with the city’s sister team. Clearly, there is both the knowledge and the resources to avoid such pitfalls.

The coach said he was surprised by the Liberty’s fast start. But, he offered a provision. “The jury’s still out. It’s still too early. Let’s see how things shake out,” he cautioned, when asked if he considered the Liberty an elite team.

“When we started playing a little bit harder defensively and being gritty, that’s when we started taking over the game,” Laimbeer said.

“It was definitely a statement game,” noted Swin Cash. “Obviously, with two unbeatens, only one can survive. And, after tonight, we wanted to be in that role. We came in here with a little chip on our shoulder.”

“We are the best team, and we can only beat ourselves,” added Deanna Nolan, the MVP of the 2006 Finals, who led all Detroit scorers with 17 points.

Laimbeer doesn’t care how he, or his team, is perceived. He didn’t when he played for the Pistons –the league’s Bad Boys- and, certainly, doesn’t now that the Shock have reclaimed the title. He doesn’t expect his team to win all 34 games, but he knows –both inside and outside- that his team is the class of the league.

“We are the show in the league right now,” he stated. “Teams want to play us; and, fans want to see us play. For good or bad.”

The Shock -which lost two of the first three against the Sacramento Monarchs, but won Games Four and Five to capture the WNBA’s big prize- have taken pride in their defense, particularly on the paint. Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn, a fellow bruiser on those Piston squads, who serves as an assistant coach- have instilled a similar mentality.

“We can play pretty good defense when we want to,” the winning coach beamed. “Our defense is very solid, and that is what we hang our hat on.”

  E-mail this story |  Printer-friendly |  Discuss