JB Bickerstaff Articles - Page 5

Despite the many injuries the Cleveland Cavaliers have dealt with all season, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is too blessed to stress. That’s because, to Bickerstaff, they’re never out a game because of big man Jarrett Allen whenever the Cavs are down players in their rotation. “The greatest talent in the NBA is dependability,” Bickerstaff said […]

While the Cleveland Cavaliers initially said Donovan Mitchell would be out for at least the next three games, it could be longer than initially expected. Mitchell, who had been dealing with a nagging knee injury that was deemed a bone bruise by the Cavs, recently received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to help with the […]

In his nearly 20 years in the NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers J.B. Bickerstaff has spent 40% of that stretch as a head coach. Other than his time in Cleveland, Bickerstaff has experience as an assistant with the Charlotte Bobcats, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. Overall, Bickerstaff has coached four full seasons as a head […]

No matter the opponent, the Cleveland Cavaliers embrace the next-man-up mentality, with every player on the roster—including sharpshooting guard Sam Merrill—ready to play in the event one of their teammates is sidelined. “We’re trying to find the balance of making sure everybody is kind of comfortable and getting the stretches that they need,” Cavs head […]

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a nail-biting 121-119 win over the Dallas Mavericks, one that had plenty of theatrics at the end, this game proved to be just another day in the office for Donovan Mitchell. In 38 minutes of action, Mitchell had 31 points on 55.0% shooting to go with seven rebounds, six assists, […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have come out flat in life after the All-Star break, dropping two in a row to the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers. Granted, time away from the game will give any team rust, the Cavs included. But, in these two losses, Donovan Mitchell has been unavailable due to a non-COVID-related illness […]

Exiting the All-Star break, there are only 28 regular season games left until the Cleveland Cavaliers face the very best the Eastern Conference has to offer in the playoffs. It all begins with the Cavs hosting the Orlando Magic on Thursday. And although Cleveland was the hottest team in basketball entering All-Star weekend, it might […]

In his nine games back in action after jaw surgery, things haven’t been the easiest for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland. In 26.9 minutes per contest, Garland only averages 12.7 points on 47.3% shooting along with 6.0 assists. While his assist numbers are only a hair below his career average of 6.6 dimes per game, […]

When discussing all the awards during the NBA season, MVP and Rookie of the Year always steal the spotlight. However, players can only be as good as the leadership they have guiding them, which is why the Coach of the Year award is the most underrated accolade. So far this season, there are several coaches […]

Maybe the Chicago Bulls were feeling themselves on Wednesday night. Maybe defense was considered optional. Maybe the idea of the looming All-Star break was weighing on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whatever it was, the Cavs didn’t just squeak out a 108-105 win over the Bulls at home—they also got a math lesson from their play on […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on fire, having won 17 of their last 18 games since New Year’s Day. Despite the success they’ve seen over the last six weeks, Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff was reportedly on the hot seat earlier this season, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst. Windhorst spoke about the Cavaliers’ coaching situation […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have arguably been the best team in basketball since the start of 2024. Overall, the Cavs have only lost twice in 2024, in January to the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks. Otherwise, Cleveland has won 17 games in 2024, including riding a nine-game winning streak after their latest victory, a 119-95 […]

With the 2024 NBA trade deadline looming, the Cleveland Cavaliers stand in an interesting position. Boasting an impressive 33-16 record this season, the Cavs exhibit promise. That said, strategic trades could be the catalyst for their ascent in the league’s hierarchy. As an NBA sportswriter, it’s essential to scrutinize the team’s performance and pinpoint potential […]

Soon enough, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be complete for the first time this season. Sure, Ty Jerome will be sidelined for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery on a nagging ankle injury. But, regarding their ten-man rotation, the Cavs will be set in stone once Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee) are free of […]

With the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching situation in flux, it was nice for the Cleveland Cavaliers to prepare for Joe Prunty’s tactics instead of Doc Rivers’. Jokes aside, early into this game, the Cavs treated this like a baseball-style series where they faced the Bucks in Milwaukee for the second time in three days. Head coach […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, as they are in the middle of a six-game win streak, which is the longest active win streak in the league. In a stroke of continued good fortune, JB Bickerstaff’s latest comments on the returns of Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan […]

Even after Darius Garland and Evan Mobley were ruled out due to jaw and knee surgery, respectively, the Cleveland Cavaliers are still standing and proving that they’re one of the NBA’s elite squads, especially on defense. In wake of the injury news, the Cavs have posted an 11-3 record, winning six games in a row. […]

The Cleveland Browns saw their surprising season come to an end in the AFC World Card round against the Houston Texans. The Browns lost, 45-14, and the Cinderella story that was the return of Joe Flacco saw its final chapter. However, after all of it, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff made sure to shout […]

When news broke that Darius Garland and Evan Mobley would be sidelined until early 2024, the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed down and out. Well, now the Cavs are riding a three-game winning streak and an 8-3 record without their star duo, the Cavs still might be down, but they’re not out. Instead, Cleveland has been thriving […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers agreeing to buy out Ricky Rubio’s contract seemed like just a small formality to some. To others, it was a sad, sobering farewell to a player who played a key role in setting the Cavs in motion to where they are today—individually, personally and as an organization. “Ricky was one of my […]

As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work, and it’s emblematic of the Cleveland Cavaliers stealing a 109-95 win on the road against the Chicago Bulls. How Cleveland snuck into Chicago and won without Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert, Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill is impressive. But it’s the perfect example of how […]

Heading into their matchup with the Orlando Magic, there was legitimate concern about how the Cleveland Cavaliers would find an offensive rhythm. Before tipoff, the Magic had the league’s third-best defense, allowing only 109.3 points per 100 possession. While Orlando’s defense seemed impenetrable, it wasn’t invincible — the Magic struggle to contain opponents in transition, […]

Already a month into the 2023-24 NBA season and there are already awards to be handed out. For those who don’t know, the NBA names the top player in the Eastern and Western Conferences every week. Meanwhile, they also name the top player, rookie, and coach for the Eastern and Western Conferences toward the start […]

Heading into the final game of a five-game home stand against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Cleveland Cavaliers were flying high. They had two solid and decisive wins over the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks and were starting to become a legitimate Eastern Conference Contender. But, like Icarus, the Cavs flew too close to the […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for answers after blowing a 16-point lead and falling to the Portland Trail Blazers 103-95 on Thursday night. Head coach JB Bickerstaff was reportedly frustrated and spent some extra time talking to his players about their failure to maintain leads, according to Evan Dammarell of Locked On Cavs: “Cavs head […]

The NBA In-Season Tournament has been a learning process for everyone, not just fans or media that cover the league. Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff shared on Tuesday before his team’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland’s final group stage opponent, that he’s loved learning the process and went as far to say that […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday in a game that featured LeBron James’ new team against his old team. The Cavaliers honored LeBron James recently with a video on his return to ‘The Land.’ The Cavs got a full lineup back with the return of key players against Coach Darvin […]

The Miami Heat were dealt a brutal injury blow as backup point guard Dru Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith has been one of the team’s main options behind the aging Kyle Lowry and now, their depth is taking a hit. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said that the Cavs’ court is […]

The Brooklyn Nets took on the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Barclays Center in an Opening Night matchup between two talented and athletic young teams. Cam Thomas stole the show, and made NBA history in a losing effort. Thomas finished last season outside of the Nets’ playoff rotation, but had fans going crazy with his first […]

Count JB Bickerstaff among those who still believe in Ben Simmons. Before his team’s season-opening matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers coach defended Simmons against the widespread criticism he’s faced since ever since his infamous bungle with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 playoffs. “He’s a unique talent. I think […]

Before kicking off the 2023-24 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers added a new face to their coaching staff. Sources confirm to ClutchPoints that the Cavs have added former Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger to their staff as a coaching consultant. The Athletic‘s Shams Charania initially reported the news. Like Luke Walton, Joerger […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been synonymous with Donovan Mitchell’s name mixed with other talented big men in Evan Mobley and Jarett Allen. They had lost early to a New York Knicks team filled with experience. But, that was not the only reason they were knocked out of title contention. JB Bickerstaff’s offensive sequences are often […]

Even though Ricky Rubio remains away from basketball to address his mental health, the Cleveland Cavaliers still need a backup point guard. As talented as Darius Garland is, there will be moments when he needs a reprieve from the court. There will also be times when the Cavs don’t have Garland, whether it’s due to […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers are gearing up for a more dynamic offensive approach, orchestrated by their head coach, JB Bickerstaff. In a recent Q&A session, Bickerstaff shared the team’s top five goals for the 2023-24 season. This signifies a bold and exciting direction after a promising 2022-23 campaign. Following a period of introspection, the Cavs have […]

Dillon Brooks isn’t exactly the most well-liked player in the NBA right now. In fact, one could even go as far as saying that there’s currently no outpouring of overwhelming loved for him from Memphis Grizzlies fans at the moment. It’s not that most Grizzlies supporters want him off the team, but at the same […]

Breakups, regardless of the walk of life, are never easy. So when Kevin Love requested a buyout from his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it would be logical to think players and coaches on the team felt blindsided by the news. The Cavaliers honored Love’s request, and the Miami Heat became the team to sign […]

The Boston Celtics saw their 2018-19 season come to an unfortunate end, as they were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite that fact, Celtics playcaller Brad Stevens is still looking for ways to bolster his coaching staff. In fact, Stevens held an interview with former Grizzlies head coach J.B. Bickerstaff […]

The Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Walton decided to part ways shortly after the 2018-19 regular season, leaving the team in search of a new head coach. There have been several candidates listed for the job in recent days, and now former Memphis Grizzlies head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been added to the discussion. According […]

The Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after he had exit meetings with the players. The Athletic and Stadium senior NBA lead writer Shams Charania broke the news on Twitter on April 11. Sources: J.B. Bickerstaff conducted exit meetings with Grizzlies players today, discussing ways to improve the team and summer expectations — […]