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NBA History: Best NBA player born in each state

By Jerran Anderson

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 01: Former Milwaukee Bucks player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is honored at halftime during a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 1, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 01: Former Milwaukee Bucks player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is honored at halftime during a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 1, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in Massachusetts: Bill Laimbeer

Bill Laimbeer was one of the most physical big men in the league in his day. He was originally born in Boston prior to building his career in the state of Michigan, which could be considered irony to the Basketball Gods.

Laimbeer made his first basketball stop in college at Notre Dame where he played from 1975-79, though he missed the 1976-77 season due to being academically ineligible. He was drafted 65th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1979 NBA Draft, back when the draft was a whole lot bigger than just two rounds.

He spent a season with the Cavaliers before being traded to Detroit during the 1981-82 campaign. He’s another member of the Detroit Pistons’ Bad Boys to appear in the best players from each state. He won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990 with Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman and Joe Dumars in the rotation.

He accumulated 12,665 points, 9,430 rebounds, 1,923 assists and 857 blocks during his time with the Pistons from 1981-93. He made four All-Star Appearances and led the league in rebounds per game (13.1) during the 1985-85 season while a member of Detroit. He ranks fifth currently in franchise history in points, first in rebounds and fourth in blocks.

Laimbeer can now be found in the WNBA as the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces. He also coached the New York Liberty from 2013-17 and the Detroit Shock from 2002-09, where he won 3 WNBA championships as a head coach.

He’s done a good amount for the Detroit franchise despite being born in Massachusetts. His legacy will live on despite his reputation.