Pacers HC disagrees with Mitchell over Bickerstaff firing

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Pacers HC disagrees with Donovan Mitchell over J.B. Bickerstaff firing

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/23/24

Following the Cleveland Cavaliers firing of J.B. Bickerstaff, word began to spread that many on the team, including star Donovan Mitchell, lacked confidence in the now-former head coach's abilities.

Rick Carlisle, head coach of the Indiana Pacers, apparently disagrees with this opinion. Speaking with reporters ahead of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday, he lauded Bickerstaff for doing an "amazing job" with the Cavaliers while lightly weighing in on the franchise's decision to part ways.

"In our profession, no one likes it. But, teams, ownership, they can hire and fire who they want to," Carlisle told reporters. "J.B. will be fine, and he'll certainly be a head coach again, sooner rather than later."

Rick Carlisle gave his thoughts on the Cavs firing JB Bickerstaff today.

“I thought JB Bickerstaff did an amazing job.” pic.twitter.com/PgfnHgAEb8
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) May 23, 2024

Over parts of five seasons as head coach in Cleveland, Bickerstaff oversaw a roster rebuild, ultimately turning the team into an Eastern Conference contender. However, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Mitchell and others doubted Bickerstaff's strategies, game management, and practice habits, among other things.

Conversely, Carlisle described what Bickerstaff accomplished with the Cavaliers as "a complete culture makeover," pointing out how he managed a short-handed group this season that still won 48 games and reached the conference semifinals.

Meanwhile, he called Bickerstaff "inventive," pointing out how he began putting bigger lineups on the court long before it became a trend.

"They started playing big four-and-a-half years ago, and a lot of people were going, 'Huh? How's this ever going to work?'" Carlisle said. "Then they became a top three or four defense in the league."

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