{"id":356226,"date":"2025-11-05T00:37:17","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T00:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/356226\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T00:37:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T00:37:17","slug":"how-the-ultimate-bad-boy-backed-bec-allen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/356226\/","title":{"rendered":"How the ultimate Bad Boy backed Bec Allen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rebecca Allen says Detroit Pistons \u201cBad Boy\u201d Bill Laimbeer gave her first WNBA chance with Liberty.<\/p>\n

Ten-year Australian WNBA<\/a>\u00a0veteran Rebecca Allen<\/strong><\/a> has revealed Detroit Pistons<\/a>‘ Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer told her “We\u2019re keeping you” after the then New York Liberty head coach saw Allen play during an Australian tour of the US.<\/p>\n

Allen, who turns 33 tomorrow (November 6), told basketball.com.au<\/strong><\/a>: “Bill gave me my first opportunity after seeing me in Australia\u2019s tour against WNBA teams. Early on, Bill Laimbeer told me, ‘We\u2019re keeping you,’ and he did.<\/p>\n

“I didn\u2019t know much about the WNBA then and didn\u2019t even know who he was. Later I learned about the ‘Bad Boys’. <\/p>\n

“He had a tough reputation, but I caught him at a softer stage. <\/p>\n

“He\u2019s brutally honest \u2014 you need thick skin \u2014 but if he believes in you, he really goes to bat for you.<\/p>\n

“If he doesn\u2019t, you won\u2019t hear from him. He\u2019s very all-or-nothing.”<\/p>\n

\"\"\/Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (23) is hammered by Detroit Pistons Bill Laimbeer (40) in Game 4 of the 1990 NBA\u00a0Playoffs on May 29, 1990. Photo: Manny Millan \/ Sports Illustrated via Getty Images.<\/p>\n

Allen signed with the Liberty in 2015 and played her first seven seasons in New York. Laimbeer, 68, coached the team from 2013 to 2017.<\/p>\n

Laimbeer, a four-time NBA\u00a0All-Star and two-time NBA champion, undoubtedly had an eye for talent. Allen has played 260 games, averaging 5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and an assist.<\/p>\n

He also is equally infamous as the baddest of the 1980s Bad Boys. Laimbeer had numerous fist fights during his career, one of the worst was with NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley<\/a> in 1990, as well as Boston Celtics<\/a> superstar Larry Bird<\/a>, teammate Robert Parish.<\/p>\n

Laimbeer retired just 11 games into the 1994 season after his championship teammate Isiah Thomas<\/a> broke his hand punching the 2.11m centre during a team practice.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird (33) battles for a board against Detroit Pistons centre Bill Laimbeer (40) in Boston on May 31, 1987. Photo: Jerry Wachter\/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Allen<\/strong><\/a> has joined Unrivaled, the US-based 3×3 women\u2019s basketball league founded by Brianna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. She joins fellow Aussies Alanna Smith<\/strong><\/a> and Ezi Magbegor<\/strong><\/a> on Unrivaled’s roster of players.<\/p>\n

Unrivaled, which starts in January 2025, is a player-founded league featuring top WNBA talent competing in a new three-on-three format designed to give players more year-round opportunities and creative control over their careers.<\/p>\n

Rebecca Allen \u2014 Key Details<\/p>\n