The Cleveland Cavaliers’ disappointing five-game elimination in the Eastern Conference first round against the New York Knicks sparked speculation that head coach JB Bickerstaff’s job might not be safe. The Cavaliers pushed back on that notion on Friday.
Cavaliers president Koby Altman said that there was “no question” that Bickerstaff would return for next season, even despite his being on the receiving end of some criticism over the Knicks series.
“Yes. Absolutely,” Altman told Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. “There’s no question about that. I mean, look what he’s accomplished. It’s actually funny, I’ve not heard that, maybe because I haven’t been reading or not on Twitter, but I’ve not heard that noise. So that’s not even a question. […] End that speculation.”
Altman added that the Cavaliers won 51 games and had the best defensive rating in the NBA during the 2022-23 regular season, which are things that the team “can’t fluke your way into.”
Bickerstaff and the Cavaliers received some criticism for their lack of adjustments during the series loss to the Knicks. At times, a young Cleveland squad seemed to struggle with the physicality of the Knicks, too. Standout big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley were consistently out-muscled on the boards by New York.
“You can’t fluke your way into 51 wins,” Altman said. “You can’t fluke your way into the No. 1 defensive rating in the NBA. That’s coaching. I know we have great defensive personnel, but you have to have buy-in from them, and that comes from the head coach. And so we’re extremely happy with J.B. and the job he’s done.”
The Cavaliers’ quick and early exit may not cost Bickerstaff his job, but another team may make a change under similar circumstances.
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