J. B. Bickerstaff

Last updated

J. B. Bickerstaff
J.B. Bickerstaff (cropped).jpg
Bickerstaff in 2021
Personal information
Born (1979-03-10) March 10, 1979 (age 45)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school East (Denver, Colorado)
College
NBA draft 2001: undrafted
Position Forward
Coaching career2004–present
Career history
As coach:
20042007 Charlotte Bobcats (assistant)
20072011 Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant)
20112015 Houston Rockets (assistant)
2015–2016 Houston Rockets (interim)
20162017 Memphis Grizzlies (associate)
20172019 Memphis Grizzlies
2019–2020 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant/assoc. HC)
20202024 Cleveland Cavaliers

John-Blair Bickerstaff (born March 10, 1979) is an American professional basketball coach who most recently served as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before that, he was the head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies and has also been an assistant coach for several other NBA teams.

Contents

College career

Bickerstaff played his first two collegiate seasons at Oregon State and finished his career at the University of Minnesota. He averaged 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior for the Golden Gophers.

Coaching career

Assistant coach and associate head coach (2004-2020)

Bickerstaff spent three seasons (2004–2007) with the Charlotte Bobcats as an assistant coach, before spending four (2007–2011) seasons as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was hired as an assistant coach by the Rockets on July 14, 2011. [1] He was made interim head coach of the Rockets on November 18, 2015, after Kevin McHale was fired. [2] On that same day, he made his coaching debut against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 108–103 overtime victory. [3]

After the season, Bickerstaff informed the Rockets that he had withdrawn his name for the head coaching search, effectively ending his tenure with the Houston Rockets. [4]

On June 8, 2016, Bickerstaff was hired by the Memphis Grizzlies to be the associate head coach. [5]

On November 27, 2017, Bickerstaff was promoted as the Grizzlies' interim head coach after the firing of David Fizdale. [6] On May 1, 2018, he was announced as the new permanent head coach of the Grizzlies. [7] On April 11, 2019, the Grizzlies fired Bickerstaff after the team failed to reach the playoffs. [8]

On May 19, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers named Bickerstaff assistant and associate head coach. [9]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2020-2024)

On February 19, 2020, head coach John Beilein resigned as head coach of the Cavaliers, and Bickerstaff was announced as the new head coach. [10] On March 10, the Cavaliers announced that they had agreed on a multi-year contract with Bickerstaff. [11] On December 25, 2021, the Cavaliers signed Bickerstaff to a multi-year contract extension. [12] Bickerstaff was fired on May 23, 2024 by the Cavaliers. [13]

Head coaching record

Legend
Regular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %
PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L %Playoff win–loss %
TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result
Houston 2015–16 713734.5214th in Southwest 514.200Lost in First Round
Memphis 2017–18 631548.2385th in SouthwestMissed playoffs
Memphis 2018–19 823349.4023rd in SouthwestMissed playoffs
Cleveland 2019–20 1156.4555th in Central Missed playoffs
Cleveland 2020–21 722250.3064th in CentralMissed playoffs
Cleveland 2021–22 824438.5373rd in CentralMissed playoffs
Cleveland 2022–23 825131.6222nd in Central514.200Lost in First Round
Cleveland 2023–24 824834.5852nd in Central1257.417Lost in Conference semifinals
Career463255290.468 22715.318 

Personal life

Bickerstaff is the son of former NBA coach Bernie Bickerstaff, [14] who is also working for the Cavaliers in their front office serving as senior basketball advisor. [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Cavaliers</span> National Basketball Association team in Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Cavaliers are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team began play as an expansion team in 1970, along with the Portland Trail Blazers and Buffalo Braves. Home games were first held at Cleveland Arena from 1970 to 1974, followed by the Richfield Coliseum from 1974 to 1994. Since 1994, the Cavs have played home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland, which is shared with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Dan Gilbert has owned the team since March 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyronn Lue</span> American basketball coach and former player

Tyronn Jamar Lue is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Lue formerly served as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, helping them win their first NBA title in franchise history.

Gregory Derayle Buckner is an American former professional basketball player who is the associate head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He had previously served as an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernie Bickerstaff</span> American basketball coach and executive

Bernard Tyrone Bickerstaff is an American basketball coach and front office executive, currently serving as the Senior Basketball Advisor for the Cleveland Cavaliers. As a coach, he previously worked as the head coach for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics, Denver Nuggets, Washington Bullets/Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats, and Los Angeles Lakers. He has also been an assistant for the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cavaliers. He has served in numerous other NBA front office positions, and has been a consultant for the Harlem Globetrotters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Brown (basketball, born 1970)</span> American basketball coach

Michael Burton Brown is an American basketball coach who is the head coach for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Brown was previously the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and most recently an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. He is also the head coach of the Nigerian national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Drew</span> American basketball player and coach

Larry Donnell Drew is an American professional basketball coach and former player who serves as assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Fizdale</span> American professional basketball coach (born 1974)

David Sean Fizdale is an American professional basketball coach who recently served as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously was an associate general manager for the Utah Jazz, an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, the head coach for the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies, and was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat. He won two championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Joerger</span> American professional basketball coach (born 1974)

David Joerger ( [YAY-ger]) is an American professional basketball coach who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. He was the head coach of the Dakota Wizards from 2000 to 2004 and in 2006–2007 in the International Basketball Association, Continental Basketball Association, and the NBA Development League, winning championships in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2007. He also coached the Sioux Falls Skyforce from 2004 to 2006, winning a championship in 2005. In the NBA, Joerger served as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2013 to 2016, and Sacramento Kings from 2016 to 2019.

The 2015–16 NBA season was the 70th season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 27, 2015, at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls, with their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2016 NBA All-Star Game was played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on February 14, 2016. The regular season ended on April 13, 2016. Golden State's Stephen Curry became the first unanimous MVP in league history. The playoffs started on April 16, 2016, and ended with the 2016 NBA Finals on June 19, 2016, with the Cleveland Cavaliers becoming NBA Champions for the first time in franchise history after defeating the Golden State Warriors in seven games. This would also be the final season for All-Stars and future Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Cleveland Cavaliers</span>

The Cleveland Cavaliers first began play in the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team under the ownership of Nick Mileti. Jerry Tomko, the father of future Major League Baseball pitcher Brett Tomko, submitted the winning entry to name the team the "Cavaliers" through a competition sponsored by The Plain Dealer; supporters preferred it to "Jays", "Foresters" and "Presidents". Playing their home games at Cleveland Arena under the direction of head coach Bill Fitch, they compiled a league-worst 15–67 record in their inaugural season. The team hoped to build around the number one 1971 draft pick Austin Carr, who had set numerous scoring records at Notre Dame, but Carr severely injured his leg shortly into his pro career and never was able to realize his potential.

The 2017–18 NBA season was the 72nd season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season began on October 17, 2017, earlier than previous seasons to reduce the number of "back-to-back" games teams were scheduled to play, with the 2017 Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers hosting a game against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The 2018 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 18, 2018, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. The regular season ended on April 11, 2018. The playoffs began on April 14, 2018 and ended on June 8 with the Golden State Warriors defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals.

The 2017–18 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 23rd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During this season, the Grizzlies announced that both Zach Randolph and Tony Allen would have their numbers be retired for the franchise at some point in the future, both of whom would be the first for this franchise's history. On November 27, 2017, head coach David Fizdale was fired after an eight-game losing streak and a publicized benching of Marc Gasol. Associate head coach J. B. Bickerstaff was promoted as an interim head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry</span> National Basketball Association rivalry

The Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. The rivalry became prominent in the mid-to-late 2010s, with both teams appearing in four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2018. The four Finals saw the Warriors emerge victorious in three and the Cavaliers in one.

The 2019–20 NBA season was the 74th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season began on October 22, 2019, and originally was supposed to end on April 15, 2020. The 2020 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 16, at the United Center in Chicago, and was won by Team LeBron, 157–155. The playoffs were originally scheduled to begin on April 18, and end with the NBA Finals in June.

The 2019–20 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 50th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Cavaliers replaced Larry Drew, with former Michigan Wolverines men's basketball coach John Beilein on May 13.

The 2019–20 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 25th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 19th in Memphis.

References

  1. "Rockets add Sampson, Bickerstaff, Finch and Gunning to coaching staff". NBA.com. July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  2. "Rockets Relieve Kevin McHale of Head Coaching Duties". NBA.com. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  3. Blinebury, Fran (November 19, 2015). "ROCKETS TURN BACK PAGE FOR BICKERSTAFF". NBA.com. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  4. Feigen, Jonathan (May 4, 2016). "J.B. Bickerstaff pulls himself from consideration for Rockets' head coaching job". chron.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  5. "Grizzlies announce additions to Coaching Staff". NBA.com. June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  6. "Grizzlies relieve David Fizdale of head coaching duties". NBA.com. November 27, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  7. "Memphis Grizzlies introduce J.B. Bickerstaff Head Coach". NBA.com. May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  8. "Memphis Grizzlies announce restructuring of basketball operations department". NBA.com . April 11, 2019. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  9. "Cavaliers Agree to Terms with J.B. Bickerstaff to Become Associate Head Coach". NBA.com . May 19, 2019. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  10. "John Beilein Resigns as Cavaliers Head Coach". NBA.com. February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  11. "Cleveland Cavaliers and J.B. Bickerstaff Agree On Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  12. "Cavaliers Sign J.B. Bickerstaff to Multi-Year Extension". NBA.com. December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  13. "Cavs fire Bickerstaff despite run to East semis". ESPN.com. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  14. J.B. Bickerstaff Archived March 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine . nba.com
  15. Cavs Media Guide
  16. Koby Altman Got his Dream Job... ESPN