NBA insider Brian Windhorst, reporting for ESPN, revealed that the Cleveland Cavaliers came close to parting ways with head coach JB Bickerstaff earlier in the season.
Needless to say, that would have been a massive mistake.
“Guys, he almost got fired. Say what you want. They can debate about it and you could debate the word almost and they can deny it or whatever. JB Bickerstaff was on a hot bleep seat. And if he had had a bad few days at the wrong time, he’d have probably gotten fired.”
At the outset, the Cavaliers held a record of 13-12, placing Bickerstaff squarely on the chopping block.
Despite a recent loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cavaliers are emerging as one of the NBA’s most formidable teams. With an impressive 17-2 record over their last 19 games, they now stand as genuine championship contenders, propelled by the leadership of Donovan Mitchell.
Statistically, the Cavaliers rank 16th in points per game and an impressive second in points allowed per game. Their net rating ranks fifth in the league, bolstered by Mitchell’s stellar performance, averaging 28.2 points and 6.3 assists per game.
Following a 51-win season last year, marred by a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the New York Knicks, the Cavaliers are fueled by a hunger for postseason success. The franchise’s front office is firmly backing Bickerstaff in this pursuit.
Bickerstaff’s coaching prowess was duly recognized in January when he earned the title of Eastern Conference Coach of the Month after the Cavaliers posted an impressive 11-2 record.
Notably, the Cavaliers haven’t tasted playoff success since 2018 when they reached the NBA Finals led by the iconic LeBron James.
As the 2024 postseason approaches, all eyes are on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Riding a wave of momentum, they face mounting expectations to reach the conference finals, especially after the disappointment of the 2023 playoffs.
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