Bill Laimbeer Outscores Shaq a Week Before Retiring

Описание: November 17, 1993 - Playing in his sixth-to-last game before retirement, Detroit Pistons forward Bill Laimbeer finished with 26 points (11-of-15 shooting) and 7 rebounds in a 98-92 win over Shaquille O'Neal and the Orlando Magic. Reluctant to send O'Neal out to guard Laimbeer away from the hoop, Magic coach Brian Hill sent a litany of defenders Bill's way all night, most failing to contend with Laimbeer's deft pick-and-pop fundamentals.

Laimbeer, meanwhile, made O'Neal work for his meal on the defensive end, employing his signature wall-up technique to force Shaq into a series of misses around the rim. O'Neal still finished with 25 points, but did so well below his typical efficiency.

Eleven days later, Laimbeer announced his retirement, citing a lack of desire.

"When we had players here who no longer cared, I'd ride them unmercifully," he continued. "They had no business being here, and I was becoming one of those players. I couldn't accept that so I stepped aside."

Laimbeer's decision to retirement less than a month into the regular season was the byproduct of a notion to step away from the game that'd struck him during training camp.

"You have to have total disregard for the well-being of your body and I now longer have that," he said. "I want to go out with my body intact so I can walk a golf course and take up skiing. But most important, I no longer have the desire to compete as a basketball player."

Laimbeer's defensive effort can be seen here:    • Bill Laimbeer Gives Shaq Fits in the Post  

More on Laimbeer's Retirement: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/12/...

Box Score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/...