The Cavaliers have hired J.B. Bickerstaff as associate head coach, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. A target of multiple franchises this offseason for a coaching role (including the Sixers, Celtics, Lakers and Kings), Bickerstaff will be tasked with helping new head coach John Beilein make the transition to the NBA.
Bickerstaff, who will now be one of the league’s top paid assistant coaches, is a former head coach of both the Rockets (interim) and Grizzlies. He is also the son of former NBA coach Bernie Bickerstaff, who now serves as a Senior Basketball Advisor for the Cavaliers.
As we relayed last week, the Cavaliers also still plan to hire at least one other person to join Beilein’s staff, potentially from the pool of other candidates that interviewed for the head coaching position, including Alex Jensen (Utah), Jamahl Mosley (Dallas), Jordi Fernandez (Denver), and Nate Tibbetts (Portland).
Nepotism much?
It is not a good look!
That’s a poor example of nepotism. It’s not like the guy isn’t qualified and it isn’t as if his dad had authority to make the decision.
Now…look at the Lakers. Definition of the word and outside of the Buss family, those in the “Laker family” are the benfeciries(Kobe/Pelinka, Magic, Rambis family, Phil Jackson, Walton, etc).
Jensen and tibbets will never leave as they are the top assistants with playoff teams. They wouldn’t leave for the Cavs
They will probably look for an ex-NBA player at this point.
I just want a coach that will give this team an identity and then draft/shape players that fits the identity.
MJ’s Bulls had the triangle offense and shut down defense.
Magic’s Lakers had the fast break,
Bird’s Celtics had great physical toughness, high IQ players and great shooters.
Riley’s Knicks had physical, tough bullies and stifling defense.
Outside of Love the Cavs have some very quick athletic players (Sexton, Lance, Osman). I would love to have a team that played great defense and ran the ball. Can you imagine a back-court with Sexton and perhaps a Cobe White, Hunter, etc?