James Dolan didn’t exactly need a recommendation from Isiah Thomas to decide hiring arguably the best WNBA coach in history, former Pistons “Bad Boy’’ Bill Laimbeer, was a no-brainer.
Laimbeer’s WNBA resume speaks for itself as he won three championships during his six-year run with the Detroit Shock.
Laimbeer, the Liberty’s new coach and general manager, said his buddy Thomas wasn’t involved at all. Allan Houston, Laimbeer’s Pistons teammate for half-a-season and whose job as Knicks assistant general manager now includes overseeing the Liberty, did most of the interviewing.
“I don’t think Isiah was involved in any way, shape or form in this situation,’’ Laimbeer told The Post. “He didn’t know it was coming. I don’t think he was involved one bit.’’
Laimbeer interviewed with Thomas in 2005 for the Knicks head-coaching job that went to Larry Brown. Laimbeer said he thought he had a real shot in the beginning.
“I know I had a relationship with the person that had a good say in who was being hired,’’ Laimbeer said. “At the same time, I was an unknown quantity as NBA head coach and it would’ve been a tough hire.
“As a player I was a lightning rod. I was right there, but at the same time I knew Larry would get involved … because he said it was his dream job. I was realistic about it.’’
Laimbeer still hasn’t gotten that dream hire and perhaps being in New York, reviving the slumping Liberty, will increase his visibility. Laimbeer’s Liberty will play one more season in Newark as the Garden’s renovations continue, but they share the Knicks practice facility in Westchester and Laimbeer said he expects to occasionally poke his head into the Knicks’ practices.
Laimbeer left the Shock in 2009 to pursue an NBA head job, becoming a Timberwolves assistant under Kurt Rambis for two seasons. Laimbeer interviewed for the Pistons’ head job, which Lawrence Frank captured, the Wolves’ job that went to Rambis, and with the Sixers, who hired Doug Colliins.
Laimbeer said he does wonder if some teams hold the way he played against him.
“I would answer that question with, some franchises in the NBA I would never get an opportunity or I would not want to coach — the Lakers, Chicago, Boston,’’ Laimbeer said. “But no, I don’t think so. I played one way, but I’m a strong-willed individual, very competitive, very demanding.’’
A lot like his buddy Thomas, still revered in Detroit if not in New York.
“I understand and so does he,’’ Laimbeer said. “Once guys [in the media] get on somebody, it gets tough in New York. The disappointing factor is piling on by the media. Isiah knew coming to New York, it’s a big, rough town and you got to be successful. It didn’t work out for him.’’