The Cleveland Cavaliers have somewhat unexpectedly parted ways with coach JB Bickerstaff after four years. The club announced the decision on Thursday. The 45-year-old recently led the franchise into the second round of the playoffs for the first time in six years with a win over the Orlando Magic with German world champions Franz and Moritz Wagner, but Bickerstaff is not allowed to continue.
In February 2020, Bickerstaff succeeded John Beilein after his resignation from the Cavaliers, who lost in the second round to the regular season winners Boston Celtics (1-4). Cleveland entered the current playoffs with 48-34 wins and eliminated Orlando 4-3. Superstar Donovan Mitchell was missing in the last two games against Boston.
“JB is a respected NBA coach and an incredible human being,” said Cavs President Koby Altman: “Decisions like these are never easy, especially when you look back at how the franchise rebuild began under his leadership.” However, the NBA is a business that sometimes requires “aggressive risk-taking to advance a franchise.”
ESPN names Kenny Atkinson as a possible candidate to succeed Bickerstaff. Atkinson was previously an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors.
2024-05-23 15:45:00
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