Cavaliers players delighted with Bickerstaff extension
Given an opportunity to talk about his contract extension, Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff points the spotlight in another direction.
Locked up through the 2026-27 season with a deal announced last week, Bickerstaff could become the Cavs’ longest-tenured coach since Lenny Wilkens (1986-93) if he remains in Cleveland through the contract’s end. That would be needed continuity for a franchise that made Bickerstaff its seventh coach in eight seasons when he was promoted in February 2020.
Although Bickerstaff is thankful for his partnership with Cavs General Manager Koby Altman as they work toward their shared vision, Bickerstaff wants his players to get the credit.
“All these things that happen — and I think it’s extremely important that we shine a light on it — is because of those guys in the locker room,” Bickerstaff said. “None of this happens if they don’t believe, if they don’t buy in, if they don’t commit to what we’re trying to do.
“The focus should go on those guys and how they’ve committed to one another and committed to the team.”
Bickerstaff trying to deflect the attention did not surprise Cavsguard Darius Garland.
“That’s just the kind of guy he is, but we really put it back on him,” Garland said. “He’s the head of the snake for us, he’s the head coach, he does all the scouting and everything like that. He’s a great coach. He’s just very comfortable with all his players. He’s a father figure, you can always talk to him about anything.”
Garland said Bickerstaff ’s communication skills are special.
“The one thing that I really appreciate from him, he’s always going to be honest with you. It’s just super easy to
go talk to someone like that,” Garland said. “He can talk about music or anything, really.
“J.B., he’s a special guy. There’s not a lot of people like this in the league, in my opinion. Super excited he got the extension. Hopefully get some more wins so he can stay longer.”
Cavs five-time All-star forward Kevin Love spent his first three years in the league with Bickerstaff, then an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves. What stands out to Love is the accountability Bickerstaff demands.
“His accountability is always there for each and every one of us. That’s one of the things I love most and why I respect and trust him,” Love said.
“Holding people accountable, that can be lost sometimes in professional sports. I’ve seen it on a number of teams where something can go sideways or something can fester. He doesn’t let that happen. He’s a very high-level communicator. And I think he understands the good things that we have going here. He kind of incubates that, he bottles that up and he wants to continue to make that grow and he doesn’t take any days off. That’s what I respect and appreciate about J.B. He lives, eats, breathes basketball.”