John-Blair Bickerstaff: Currently The 6th Longest Tenured Head Coach

[Green Lantern]

Yes there are mixed reacions..but for the present he is handling the team very well.

 

[SVC]

When did his deal end? Just trying to understand the need for an extension. If he was on final year, understandable. I mean he wasn’t going anywhere. This is one of the best jobs in the league with our 23 and under core.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I don’t get it. What’s the rush to extend him?

This extension is going to keep us from doing what we need to do, down the road. He’s still the coach to get us to the playoffs - not The Finals. We will still have to bring in someone else, to put us over the top, and I sure hope we don’t wait too long.

 

[Cassity14]

I don’t get it. What’s the rush to extend him?

This extension is going to keep us from doing what we need to do, down the road. He’s still the coach to get us to the playoffs - not The Finals. We will still have to bring in someone else, to put us over the top, and I sure hope we don’t wait too long.

When has the current head coach's contract prevented the Cavs, and Dan specifically, from moving on if he decides what is best?

Mike Brown, Byron Scott, Mike Brown again, David Blatt, Belein, etc.

None of those guys had easy contracts to can.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

deserved.

JBB has had the locker-room in good order since taking over for former coach and limacologist John Beilien.

This is the first time on RCF I've had to look up a word, so congrats. And damn if it wasn't perfect, too.

Well-played!

 

[BimboColesHair]

The most predictable posters whining and complaining about this.

Great signal to the locker room and players that have had little stability the last few years, great look league-wide for attracting coaches that we will reward improvement and success, and we won’t have a coach in the final year of his contract next season when we’re looking to take an even bigger step forward as a distraction.

To act like a contract extension with a coach is a full commitment for the entirety of it with THIS franchise is hilarious, but the people complaining about it are the ones who complain about everything JBB as is.

 

[2 For The Brew]

The most predictable posters whining and complaining about this.

Great signal to the locker room and players that have had little stability the last few years, great look league-wide for attracting coaches that we will reward improvement and success, and we won’t have a coach in the final year of his contract next season when we’re looking to take an even bigger step forward as a distraction.

To act like a contract extension with a coach is a full commitment for the entirety of it with THIS franchise is hilarious, but the people complaining about it are the ones who complain about everything JBB as is.

Or complain about everything Dan, even him committing to spend money on a coach.

This season has to be so frustrating for some fans. There’s not much to bitch about.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

I've seen the sentiment a few times regarding JBB being a stepping stone. To get us to the glory land but unable to finish the job, and that a seasoned coach needs to come in to change the perspective.

Some of us are in jobs today that we have groomed for most of our post high school life (frankly, some well before this stage). This is the path to reach the pinnacle. Hard work, perseverance, determination. To me, these seem like traits JBB possesses and preaches. None of us know the man he is, all of the trials and tribulations he has experienced with his upbringing, family commitment, and ultimate journey to become head coach. Completely unfair to label him someone that can't get over that hump, as success can strike at any time.

A Coach does not need to perfect across the board. That is why there is a staff that works as a team....not as individuals towards a goal, but as individuals that bring precise expertise that works as a cohesive unit. This is seen at every level of life. And JBB might be in the right place at the right time (a whole other wormhole I can dive into). And maybe, just maybe, those in the know...within the walls of Independence...believe in what JBB brings, with his methodology...and maybe those around have bought in and are, at this moment in time, working towards something greater, trickling down through to the last man on the bench. Bottle it up JBB.

Merry Christmas, Congratulations John!

 

[2 For The Brew]

I've seen the sentiment a few times regarding JBB being a stepping stone. To get us to the glory land but unable to finish the job, and that a seasoned coach needs to come in to change the perspective.

Some of us are in jobs today that we have groomed for most of our post high school life (frankly, some well before this stage). This is the path to reach the pinnacle. Hard work, perseverance, determination. To me, these seem like traits JBB possesses and preaches. None of us know the man he is, all of the trials and tribulations he has experienced with his upbringing, family commitment, and ultimate journey to become head coach. Completely unfair to label him someone that can't get over that hump, as success can strike at any time.

A Coach does not need to perfect across the board. That is why there is a staff that works as a team....not as individuals towards a goal, but as individuals that bring precise expertise that works as a cohesive unit. This is seen at every level of life. And JBB might be in the right place at the right time (a whole other wormhole I can dive into). And maybe, just maybe, those in the know...within the walls of Independence...believe in what JBB brings, with his methodology...and maybe those around have bought in and are, at this moment in time, working towards something greater, trickling down through to the last man on the bench. Bottle it up JBB.

Merry Christmas, Congratulations John!

The Ceiling Cult has decided his limits because Mark Jackson, just like that cult decided Collin Sexton because Monte Ellis.

Make a superficial comparison, beat it to death and never admit that people are individuals who might surprise you instead of a “type” that predetermines their fate.

Nobody knows how JBB would perform in the playoffs with a good team because he’s never been in that position, but we need to get rid of him eventually and find the next Steve Kerr who was obviously the coach to take GSW over the hump despite no coaching experience.

For some people the less information available about a topic the more fanatical they are about their opinion. Whatever.

 

[BimboColesHair]

The Ceiling Cult has decided his limits because Mark Jackson, just like that cult decided Collin Sexton because Monte Ellis.

Make a superficial comparison, beat it to death and never admit that people are individuals who might surprise you instead of a “type” that predetermines their fate.

Nobody knows how JBB would perform in the playoffs with a good team because he’s never been in that position, but we need to get rid of him eventually and find the next Steve Kerr who was obviously the coach to take GSW over the hump despite no coaching experience.

For some people the less information available about a topic the more fanatical they are about their opinion. Whatever.

This. 100%.

So many people putting the cart in front of the horse, which I get with the team making a ridiculous leap in one season and the excitement level for the product following suit.

But so much vacuum ceiling talk and ridiculous expectations that we are one “innovative offensive mind” or one move off an “ill fitting back court” away from the next Warriors-like dynasty…because that’s what they did and it worked so it has to work for us too!!

That was a once in a generation perfect storm for Golden State that won’t (and hasn’t in some cases already) work for other teams.

There is no “blue print” to copy and create a contender. If there was you wouldn’t have teams mired in mediocrity for decades at a time.

JB Bickerstaff is not Mark Jackson. Collin Sexton is not Monta Ellis. The 2021-22 Cavs are not the 2013-14 Warriors. But there are people here who are convinced they are the Cavs versions of each of those things and won’t even give it a chance because they already know the end result somehow.

Take Rch’s and Jig’s advice from their last podcast and just enjoy the ride this season, damn. Enjoy the naturally building team, culture, and core we are watching, thanks in large part to JB and Collin. This is the last stress free season we’ll have as fans for some time most likely.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

It is almost certain that there is someone out there who would be a better coach for the Cavs than JB. But it is even more certain that there are a shitload who would be worse, and the problem is that you can never tell for certain which is which. Even the alleged "can't miss" guys sometimes do. Coaching isn't just pure ability -- it is also a question of fit between a particular coach, and a particular group of players.

This fit we have works, which is something we cannot know about any other potential coaching hire. If it ever comes to a point where it isn't working, then Dan can make a move. But until then...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Lee]

Why is JBB the coach before the coach?

Is it because he has a very young roster playing like a playoff team that will have a homecourt series in the playoff?

Is it because the entire team is buying in on the defensive side? Even a player like Garland who is playing better defense this year than i though he was capable of (and I love Garland)

Is it because the players love playing for him?

Is it because the team he is coaching looks like a possible contender in a couple of years as we gain more experience and add some to the roster?

Its like we all see all this potential in this team, the team is playing great and none of it is because of JBB. We really hate coaches in Cleveland, even good ones.

 

[FrontPageNews]

Why is JBB the coach before the coach?

Is it because he has a very young roster playing like a playoff team that will have a homecourt series in the playoff?

Is it because the entire team is buying in on the defensive side? Even a player like Garland who is playing better defense this year than i though he was capable of (and I love Garland)

Is it because the players love playing for him?

Is it because the team he is coaching looks like a possible contender in a couple of years as we gain more experience and add some to the roster?

Its like we all see all this potential in this team, the team is playing great and none of it is because of JBB. We really hate coaches in Cleveland, even good ones.

I think that was the narrative on him when he first got here because he was a 3 time interim Hc. So basically like a professional guy before the guy.

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

People forget that mark Jackson got canned mostly cause he was an asshole. He rather preach on the streets than coach the warriors. IMO Kerr just got lucky. Shit even Walton went undefeated in that 73 win season lol jbb is doing a heck of a job and I’m glad he is the coach

 

[Lee]

I think that was the narrative on him when he first got here because he was a 3 time interim Hc. So basically like a professional guy before the guy.

Exactly, but JBB has changed the narative by becoming a really good coach.