Cavaliers fire coach J.B. Bickerstaff after four-plus seasons
Published on 2024-05-23
Cleveland Cavaliers fire coach J.B. Bickerstaff after second-round playoff loss.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have dismissed head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after the team's 48-34 season and second-round playoff elimination by the Boston Celtics. Bickerstaff's four-season tenure in Cleveland saw a steady rise in wins, from 22 in 2020-21 to 51 last season and 48 this year, earning the team the No. 5 seed in the East. However, reports indicate that Bickerstaff had lost favor with players.
Bickerstaff's overall record with the Cavaliers was 170-159, and he guided them to the playoffs twice. He initially joined as an associate head coach under John Beilein in 2019, taking over mid-season. Cleveland made consecutive playoff appearances without LeBron James for the first time since the mid-1990s.
Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman expressed gratitude for Bickerstaff's contributions but emphasized the need for "aggressive risk-taking" to pursue championships. With Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland forming a strong backcourt and Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley providing an impressive interior presence, the Cavs have an attractive coaching vacancy. The team must also decide on Mitchell's long-term status, as he becomes a free agent after the 2024-25 season.
Bickerstaff's overall record with the Cavaliers was 170-159, and he guided them to the playoffs twice. He initially joined as an associate head coach under John Beilein in 2019, taking over mid-season. Cleveland made consecutive playoff appearances without LeBron James for the first time since the mid-1990s.
Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman expressed gratitude for Bickerstaff's contributions but emphasized the need for "aggressive risk-taking" to pursue championships. With Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland forming a strong backcourt and Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley providing an impressive interior presence, the Cavs have an attractive coaching vacancy. The team must also decide on Mitchell's long-term status, as he becomes a free agent after the 2024-25 season.