Cleveland Cavaliers Sign Interim Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff To Multi-Year Contract

Cleveland has placed their future in the hands of  J.B. Bickerstaff as the team reached an agreement on a multi-year contract with the interim coach on Tuesday, according to team sources. The terms were not disclosed, but the two parties reportedly agreed to a four-year deal that will last through the 2023-24 season, according to ESPN. Bickerstaff was promoted to interim head coach after the February resignation of John Beilein. 

The Cavaliers are currently last place in the Eastern Conference with a 19-46 record but have shown definite improvement under Bickerstaff going 5-6 since he took over. Beilein reportedly failed to relate to the younger roster and tension in the locker room was a major factor in stifling the team’s development, but it appears Bickerstaff has a connection with his players.

“They bought in automatically,” Bickerstaff said before Tuesday’s game in Chicago. “They’re competing, playing together and doing all the things we’ve been trying to push. They’ve led the way and made it easy for us as coaches. It’s exciting just to be a part of it. They’re obviously the ones that are gonna carry us. It’s our jobs as coaches to just steer the ship a little bit.”

Belein, 67, resigned due to health issues coupled with his inability to implement his brand of basketball after just 54 games. He had previously served as Michigan head coach from 2007-2019 and this was his first NBA coaching gig.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of J.B.’s caliber and basketball pedigree lead our franchise as head coach,” general manager Koby Altman told ESPN. “His wealth of experience, coupled with the respect he has garnered around the NBA and with this team, has made for a seamless transition from associate head coach to head coach.

“The amount of grit and determination instilled in our players, from both an accountability and attention to detail standpoint over this short period of time, has been met with admiration, respect and overall excitement throughout our entire locker room. We have already observed the impact he has made on our players through his first 10 games as head coach and we are looking forward to seeing just how far he can effectively drive our developing culture and lead this franchise into the future.”

Cleveland won back-to-back close games on Saturday and Sunday against the Spurs and Nuggets respectively, a situation which the team had usually wavered in. Over the 11 game stretch, the Cavaliers have also won three games against opponents with records over .500 and have improved their scoring and assist totals.

League sources have noted that Bickerstaff’s demeanor keeps players calm and they see a vast improvement in team chemistry.

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“They just keep pulling for one another and they celebrate other people’s success,” Bickerstaff said. “I think that’s a core value of a good team. That’s where we’re building. It’s fun to watch how they treat each other, how they respect one another. When a guy’s got it going, they’re willing to give up the ball and give themselves up for that guy. It’s part of the environment we’re trying to create. There’s a camaraderie, there’s a bond, there’s a common goal of the way that we’re playing. No one person is bigger than the team. You can see by different nights who contributes, there’s no pouting if it’s not your night. It’s all about the team. I think that’s the biggest difference.”

Article by Frank DeLorenzo