CLEVELAND, Ohio – A fast start to this season isn’t the only reason the Cavaliers have extended the contract of coach J.B. Bickertstaff.
ESPN reported that the extension lasts through the 2026-27 season.
But seeing the Cavs bolt to a 19-13 record and a No. 3 ranking in defense underlines the sense GM Koby Altman had about the 42-year-old Bickertsaff.
Altman believed Bickerstaff had been put in very tough situations as a head coach. He was an interim in Houston and Memphis.
Consider that he took over for Houston’s Kevin McHale as interim coach in 2015-16 and finished with a 37-34 record. Nonetheless, he was replaced by Mike D’Antoni the following season.
He was tossed into a difficult situation in 2019-20. That was when Altman made a disastrous hire with former Michigan coach John Beilein. By midseason, the Cavs and Beilein knew it was a terrible fit. Beilein did the Cavs a favor and resigned at the All-Star break. Bickerstaff moved up from top assistant to head coach.
Bickerstaff had a 5-6 record replacing Beilein when COVID-19 ended the season. He was given the head coach title with no interim attached by Altman – a good move.
When the Cavs slogged along with a 22-50 record and countless players coming and going, there was no consideration given to replacing him.
Another good move.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Beilein talks to his two guards Collin Sexton (L) and Darius Garland. It didn’t go well. cleveland.com
A LITTLE HISTORY
At some point, the Cavs needed to commit to a head coach. Consider the following:
1. Altman inherited Tyronn Lue in the summer of 2017. That was when Altman replaced David Griffin as GM. He stuck with Lue, who led the Cavs to 2018 NBA Finals. That was the last year of LeBron James, who bolted for the Lakers in the summer of 2018.
2. Lue said he was willing to coach a young team on a major rebuild. I had doubts about that. Lue also endured some significant health problems in his final full season with the Cavs. He missed 10 games. Lue opened the 2018-19 season as coach. He was fired after six games, all losses. The team never had a lead after halftime in any of those games.
3. Larry Drew took over as interim coach for the rest of the 2018-19 season. He finished with a 19-57 record, but had no interest in even applying for the job in 2019-20.
4. Altman turned to Beilein, and that fell apart fast. It was clear when Bickerstaff took over, he had the poise and stability to handle the job.
5. No Cavs coach has survived three full seasons since Byron Scott (2010-13).
6. After Scott came the return of Mike Brown (one season). Then David Blatt (1 1/2 seasons) followed by Lue (2 1/2 seasons plus six games). Finally, Beilein (1/2 season).
7. If you can’t keep all of that straight, it’s understandable. I had to do some serious research to put that list together. Now, Bickerstaff is in his second full season with the Cavs. It’s critical he and Altman form a management team, and the extension should help that happen.
THE BIG PICTURE
“J.B. Bickerstaff is, with all certainty, the right head coach to lead this franchise into what we believe is a very promising future,” explained Altman in a statement released to the media. “The decision to extend J.B. is not based solely on the early success of this season, but rather a body of work since his arrival to Cleveland.”
Altman is correct. Bickerstaff has never seemed overwhelmed or worn down by the job, which had been very demanding after James left for the Lakers.
I have a soft spot for Bickerstaff because he reminds me of his father, veteran NBA coach Bernie Bickerstaff. Both are classy men who demand that their teams defend. There is a sense of order and trustworthiness about both of them.
Bickerstaff installed the Big Lineup with 7-footers Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen and Evan Mobley across the front line. This is more of an old-school approach and it dramatically improved the defense.
Darius Garland is approaching All-Star status as a point guard. Bickerstaff has the respect of Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, both former starters now willing to come off the bench.
Right now, about everything is going right for the Cavs. But when things go wrong, Bickerstaff has shown in the past he can handle it. That’s why making a major commitment to him is wise.
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