Cleveland Oh. – On Thursday morning, the Cavs parted ways with Head Coach JB Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff was head coach for four full seasons and guided the team to 99 wins over the last two years, advancing deeper into the playoffs. The move doesn’t shock anyone as this has been rumored even during the season. This has long been touted as an off season of change, and the change starts with Bickerstaff.
Photo by Charles Murray
Bickerstaff helped the Cavs through a tough stretch establishing a defensive identity. He took over mid-season when John Beilein resigned midway through the 2019-2020 season. The Cavs started off his first season in the short season due to Covid, 22-50. But then the next year doubled the win total before fizzling in the Play-In Tournament, losing back-to-back games to Brooklyn and Atlanta.
Then came last year when the Knicks series was a blemish on everyone’s record. This year, the Cavs dealt with injuries and lineup issues Bickerstaff was still able to guide the team to the 4 seed in the eastern conference, and a first-round win over the Orlando Magic. The Cavs then had injuries against the Boston Celtics and lost in 5 games.
After the Boston series, Bickerstaff was asked about his future and he said, “Every single year we’ve improved. From play-in to playoffs, win a round… Guys have had great years. This is a place I want to be, and I will keep showing up until they tell me not to.” The Cavs have held meetings this week which Bickerstaff has been part of. But as the week progressed, the Cavs decided Bickerstaff wasn’t part of the future.
Of course, looming large in all of this is the fact that the Cavs would like Donovan Mitchell to re-sign a long-term contract. According to sources, Mitchell and others were not happy with some of the decisions Bickerstaff made throughout the season. With this off season starting off, the Cavs decided to let one domino fall. The head coach.
JB Bickerstaff held a 170-159 (.517) record in his four and a half seasons.
New beginnings in the land. Let’s see where it takes the Cavs.
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