J.B. Bickerstaff wasn’t emotional about his return to Cleveland Friday night, writes Tom Withers of The Associated Press. Bickerstaff served as head coach of the Cavaliers for more than four years before being fired following last season’s second-round playoff loss to the Celtics. He wasn’t out of work long, as the Pistons tabbed him to fill their head coaching vacancy in early July.
“I didn’t recognize these (remodeled) halls back here trying to figure out where to go, but that’s it,” Bickerstaff responded when asked about being back at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. “I know there is a deal to be made about it. But honestly, all we’re trying to do is get together what we have, get better every day and spend your focus there.”
Bickerstaff took over the Cavs after John Beilein resigned midway through the 2019/20 season. He compiled a 170-159 record and oversaw a rebuilding project that resulted in playoff appearances his final two years. However, he was frequently a target of Cleveland fans who questioned his rotations, game strategies and other aspects of his coaching philosophy. Bickerstaff predicted a mixed response before the game, and that’s what he received during pre-game introductions.
“We did a hell of a job here from where we started when our staff took over to where we finished,” he said. “In any kind of rebuild situation, if you could ask for that to happen, every GM in this league, every owner in this league, every player in this league would sign up for it. We got better every year. Every year we went further, so we did the job we were asked to do and I’m proud of that.”
There’s more from Cleveland:
- Bickerstaff shot down speculation that he was criticizing Jarrett Allen for missing the series with Boston due a pierced rib he suffered in the first round, per Ethan Sands of Cleveland.com. After his dismissal, Bickerstaff appeared on a radio show and praised Luka Doncic for staying on the court despite injuries. Bickerstaff told reporters Friday night that his remarks shouldn’t have been interpreted as a shot at Allen. “Jarrett and I have a great relationship and always will, and none of the outside noise will impact that,” Bickerstaff said. “Those comments had absolutely nothing to do with Jarrett Allen. I love Jarrett Allen. We have a great relationship. … I would never say anything to slight him or question him, and I think that’s a lot of silly people that are just searching for something to be found who’ve got nothing better to do and looking for clickbait.”
- Under new coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs are making a stronger effort to create scoring opportunities for Evan Mobley, observes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. It was evident in the season opener as Mobley took 14 shots and led the team with 25 points. “I’m just staying mentally in attack mode,” he said. “Always looking at the rim, always going to the basket, moving forward, looking to score and then looking for outlets after.”
- The Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, made two trades in today’s G League draft (Twitter links). The first deal sent No. 3 pick Sean East II to Long Island in exchange for No. 5 pick Chandler Hutchison and a 2025 G League International Draft pick. The team also shipped No. 22 pick Trae Hannibal to Indiana in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2025 G League Draft (via Rio Grande Valley.)