Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 2, 1993                   TAG: 9312020167
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PISTONS' LAIMBEER HAS HAD ENOUGH

With his teammates and the entire Detroit Pistons front office looking on, Laimbeer said he simply had lost his desire to compete.

"When I saw players come in here who no longer are willing to sacrifice their body and mind, I used to advise them," he said during a news conference at The Palace. "I'd goad them into it. If that didn't work, I'd reject them. Now I'm one of those players."

Laimbeer said the feeling had been coming on for the last two or three seasons. He said he knew before training camp this season could be his last.

During his 14 seasons in the NBA, all but one with the Pistons, the 6-foot-11 center became one of the most hated players the game has ever known. His flying elbows and hard picks sent bodies flying and tempers flaring.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't like to see nice things written about me," Laimbeer said. "That's human nature. But those who know me close, know what kind of person I am."

The Bad Boy role was one he was glad to play. For one thing, it suited his personality. For another, it helped the Pistons win NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.

It became part of their mystique.

Laimbeer played in 1,068 regular-season games and 113 playoff games. Last season, he became only the 19th NBA player to pull down 10,000 rebounds and score 10,000 points.

He holds Pistons' records for rebounds and games played.

In other NBA news:

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