"When you look at Brad Miller, you're looking at a clone of Laimbeer, but a little bit better offensively." Assistant coach Mark Aguirre, in the Dec. 17 USA Today, comparing C Brad Miller with former Pistons C Bill Laimbeer, one of Aguirre's teammates with the Pistons of the "Bad Boys" era. I think Aquirre is off on this comment. I think Miller may be the best center in the east and there are similarities between him and Laimbeer but there are also very big differences. 1. Brad Miller is not a better offensive player than Laimbeer and in fact the two do not even have the same offensive game. Miller is a better scorer in the post and has a nice mid-range jumper. Laimbeer did most of his scoring outside of the paint with range well beyond the 3-point arc. 2. Laimbeer was a superior rebounder leading the league one year in the mid 80’s. That is quite a feat considering some of the other players that were playing at the time. Laimbeer avg’d right at 10 a game for his career. Miller is only at 6.5 for his career and was having his best year last year at 8.4 a game before leaving Chicago. 3. Both play extremely physical on the defensive end of the floor. I was really getting pissed off watching Brad Miller playing against Yao Ming the other night. I thought his tactics were borderline dirty, which is indeed very similar to Laimbeer. Other than the fact that both players are very physical and are both borderline dirty players if not dirty players I don’t see the strong similarities between the two. Bill Laimbeer was clearly better than Brad Miller even on the offensive end of the floor.
Miller has become a dirty player, Artest has become a dirty player. Laimbeer was the 'best' dirty player, one who all ethnicities could and did hate...and the common tie? Isaih Thomas. Cute eyes, the heart of a snake. PS Laimbeer was better than Miller as a player because he was smarter, and he was that.
After that performance the other night I don't think there's any doubt that Isiah is trying to turn this team into his old Pistons as much as possible. Miller doesn't quite play like Laimbeer but he's sure trying to play Laimbeer's instigator role on this Pacers team.
I feel the exact opposite on point #1, crash. Miller actually has a few moves on offense (Laimbeer had 0), and can put the ball on the ground a bit. True, in terms of post defense and rebounding, Laimbeer is better, but Miller definitely gives the Pacers more O than Laimbeer. And I disagree with Artest, I don't think he's dirty at all. Overly aggressive and a bit nuts (on the floor, that is), yes, but not dirty. As Calvin said, its unbelievable to think that the Bulls had both Artest and Brand, and traded both of them. Simply ridiculous!
Live, I made the point that Miller was better in the post on the offensive end. Laimbeer was not much of a threat in the paint but he won games with his clutch outside shooting. Laimbeer was as good a shooting 7 footer as has ever played the game. Laimbeer was never the Pistons first of second option but he avg'd over 15 points a game shooting better than 50% on several occasions.
I remember watching a Pistons at Celtics playoff game on ESPN Classic. Man, was the NBA different back then. In retaliation for rough play in earlier games against Larry Bird, Robert Parish just cold cocked Bill Lambier on one play...and Bill Lambier got called for a foul!!!!!! No penalty for the punch by Parish, and everyone say it clearly. Man, that was crazy. Nothing really else to add.
I didn't appreciate when Miller pulled Yao down, but it did appear as though he was trying to challenge the shot and while falling, reached out for anything to keep from falling and brought down Yao. It may be more a case of clumsiness than anything else, although Miller has a history of flagrants recently - maybe he's a misunderstood klutz. .
Laimbeer was a spot up shooter with no athleticism. His points came mostly from open shots set up by the drive and dish of his guards, and from put backs. That's why his shooting % was so high. I think Laimbeer was the most hated players (by other players) probably second only to Dennis Rodman.
Easy, Your right Laimbeer was a spot up shooter. Of course he won a few play-off games with his shooting. BTW, I always thought that Laimbeer was the most hated player in the league...even including Rodman.
