At least that’s what the Free-Press’s Drew Sharp would have believefollowing the shocking (sorry) announcement former Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer is stepping down as head coach of the WNBA Detroit Shock just 3 games into the 2009 season.  Laimbeer is said to covet a job coaching a men’s professional team, and given Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert’s obsession with all things Pistons, let the Laimbeer-to-Cleveland rumors (which are far less sensical than Shaq-to-Cleveland rumors) start here.

“It™s disappointing that Bill has decided to step down as head coach and general manager of the Detroit Shock, Shock president Tom Wilson said in a released statement. œBut at the same time, Bill led the Shock to three WNBA championships and a league-record 27 postseason victories during his seven-year tenure. We thank him for his guidance and dedication to the franchise and our organization.

New head coach Rick Mahorn had been serving his fifth season as a Shock assistant.

œRick has been vital to the success of the Shock over the last five seasons and we feel that the transition will be seamless, said Wilson. œRick has built tremendous relationships with the Shock players during his tenure, and we feel that his championship goals for the franchise remain unchanged.