Who is JB Bickerstaff? All you need to know about Detroit Pistons’ head coach

JB Bickerstaff’s NBA coaching experience

The Pistons’ improvement with Bickerstaff was no coincidence. Instead, it was the result of the 46-year-old’s years of coaching experience in the NBA.

He began his journey as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets (then known as Bobcats) in the 2004-05 season. Following a three-year stint with the Hornets, Bickerstaff joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as an assistant coach.

He then joined the Houston Rockets‘ coaching staff, where he also earned his first-ever head coaching job during the 2015-16 season after five years of assistant coaching service.

However, it was far from fruitful as the Rockets struggled under his leadership. Bickerstaff then spent four years with the Memphis Grizzlies, first as an associate and then as the head coach.

But Bickerstaff’s true skills were on display during his nearly five-year tenure as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs went 170-159 during that time and also completed their rebuilding phase.

JB Bickerstaff can help the Detroit Pistons return to the glory days

Last season, the Pistons finished the regular season with a 44-38 record. It was a phenomenal turnaround from their previous year’s league-worst 14-68 record.

The Pistons also returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Bickerstaff certainly proved his worth in his debut season as the head coach of the team.

But what’s the next team? Well, it’s obvious to make the Pistons a perennial playoff team and bring an NBA Championship to the city.

The Pistons are currently going through a 21-year championship drought as they last lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2004.