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

[Cavatt]

They're young. I'm happy he's putting them through the fire. It will only make them better next year.

It's Nance you don't want to run down.

TT will be back this weekend, so that is good.

 

[Muffinalt]

Well, he continues to find the right lineups (some even quirky), the team is playing hard and inspired and we are putting together some nice wins even despite a bunch of players out.

I'm definitely coming around on him.

 

[buzzdog]

I've seen so many people here bashing JBB right out of the gate as is usually the case, just the typical negativity that is so common in this "fanatics" message board. But the team seems revitalized under him, and what he has them doing on both ends of the court seems to be working. Small sample size but why not give the guy some time before you call his contract a bad move or start wishing for the next head coach to be hired ?

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I've seen so many people here bashing JBB right out of the gate as is usually the case, just the typical negativity that is so common in this "fanatics" message board. But the team seems revitalized under him, and what he has them doing on both ends of the court seems to be working. Small sample size but why not give the guy some time before you call his contract a bad move or start wishing for the next head coach to be hired ?

I think most here have welcomed him.
Nonetheless, the contract is bad. Facts.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

J.B. Bickerstaff has Cleveland Cavaliers believing once again, envisioning brighter future

That was J.B. Bickerstaff’s task when he took over for departed coach John Beilein. And, suddenly, he’s doing just that.

www.cleveland.com

One anonymous Cavs player estimated they'd have about 25 wins right now (instead of 19) if JBB had been the coach since the beginning of the season.

If true that bodes well for next year.

 

[Alec]

I like winning and common sense scheming and rotations. Long live JBB.

 

[avs2000]

J.B. Bickerstaff has Cleveland Cavaliers believing once again, envisioning brighter future

That was J.B. Bickerstaff’s task when he took over for departed coach John Beilein. And, suddenly, he’s doing just that.

www.cleveland.com

One anonymous Cavs player estimated they'd have about 25 wins right now (instead of 19) if JBB had been the coach since the beginning of the season.

If true that bodes well for next year.

Just want see one coach for a few years. Maybe we found one

 

[rastamon87]

Just want see one coach for a few years. Maybe we found one

He can be a stop gap until Delly is ready to retire as a player and start coaching , lol

 

[Lee]

He can be a stop gap until Delly is ready to retire as a player and start coaching , lol

How bad would all the team meals be with all that vegemite.

 

[rastamon87]

How bad would all the team meals be with all that vegemite.

Plus requirement to drink coffee during halftime

 

[ansatsusha80]

 

[Lumthemad]

I am certain others have posted it already but I truly think he was Koby Altman's first choice before Beilein got on Dan Gilbert's ...or hell perhaps even Altman's radar as a potential choice.

He's got the team playing together and doing a lot of the small things needed to win. People (media) always say how devoid of talent we are and i frankly disagree. We have some real YOUNG talent which needs more time (Sexton, Garland and KPJ, perhaps even Osman) and also slightly older guys in the 27 age range of things. Perhaps I am drinking the Koolaid but I could see this team figuring out a way to begin winning in earnest next season. Not huge win totals but in the low forties.

 

[bigdog123]

Might be a small thing, but I like that he uses his challenge when his players ask him to. With only one challenge, it's not often a big deal anyway, and by using it, he's showing his players that he's got their back.

 

[MirORich]

It’s a players league, even in the bad teams. If the players don’t buy in to the coach, you’re screwed. I am/also very tempted by Atkinson becoming available but:

A: we have no clue if he’d consider Cleveland over other opportunities. I expect for him to end up back in ATL as the head guy

B: we saw the difference it’s made in the players energy and buy in to go from a coach they thought was inflexible and out of touch to someone they respect and relate to. Not sure immediately canning that guy to bring in someone else is the answer.

With the Caveat of course that Dan Gilbert is nuts, this gives JB his first full backed chance to make his name and resume over the course of multiple seasons with the same team. He has a lot of varied experience for someone who’s just 40 years old. Let’s hope he is a success for the Cavs long term and someone who outlasts/transcends Gilbert’s usual impulses.

 

[Jordan]

It’s a players league, even in the bad teams. If the players don’t buy in to the coach, you’re screwed. I am/also very tempted by Atkinson becoming available but:

A: we have no clue if he’d consider Cleveland over other opportunities. I expect for him to end up back in ATL as the head guy

B: we saw the difference it’s made in the players energy and buy in to go from a coach they thought was inflexible and out of touch to someone they respect and relate to. Not sure immediately canning that guy to bring in someone else is the answer.

With the Caveat of course that Dan Gilbert is nuts, this gives JB his first full backed chance to make his name and resume over the course of multiple seasons with the same team. He has a lot of varied experience for someone who’s just 40 years old. Let’s hope he is a success for the Cavs long term and someone who outlasts/transcends Gilbert’s usual impulses.

It feels like an “early” signing - waiting until interviews in the summer seems to have more upside - but it is possible that J.B. used things like rotations, players minutes, etc. as leverage.