The Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will continue to serve in his position next season, the team’s president of basketball operations Koby Altman confirmed on Friday. The Cavs have decided to keep their faith in Bickerstaff despite suffering a disappointing first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs.

In what was their first playoff appearance since LeBron James left the franchise five seasons ago, the Cavs lost in five games against the New York Knicks, who appeared to easily overpower them. Bickerstaff was subsequently criticized for his strategy in the series, particularly because of the team’s apparently rash tactical changes and the overall dominance of the Knicks.

“End that speculation,” Altman said in a text message to the Associated Press in response to speculation surrounding Bickerstaff’s potential dismissal. “He’s our head coach and we have a lot of support and respect for the job he’s done.”

The Cavs enjoyed a relatively successful regular season run, winning 51 games and finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Prior to their playoff loss, the Cavaliers boasted the best defensive record in the NBA.

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John Beilein’s tenure as a Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach is over after just 54 games. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Cavs and Beilein decided to part ways with associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff taking over the team on a full-time basis.

Reportedly, Beilein will be officially out as Cleveland’s HC after the players return from the All-Star break. The two sides agreed to a contract termination, which will see Beilein being compensated for the rest of the salary for this season. He was on a five-year deal, which was paying him around $4 million a year.

The sources within the organization reveal that the reason for John Beilein and Cavs’ breakup is the 67-year-old’s inability to connect with the players. Despite having a proven record of success on the college level, Beilein struggled in NBA, and his team is currently 14-50, having the league’s worst record. While Cleveland initially decided to give their new coach enough time to adapt, it became clear that the union might not be set up for success.

According to reports, Cavs’ general manager Koby Altman brought up the topic of parting ways with Beilein before the All-Star Game, and after putting a lot of thought in it, the front office made a move.

Beilein previously worked for 40 years on the college level and was highly regarded for his work with younger players. Before coming to Cleveland, he spent 12 years with Michigan, leading the program to two Final Four appearances.

Cavaliers’ decision to turn to Bickerstaff as Beilein’s successor doesn’t come as a surprise. Bickerstaff was brought in as part of the team’s long-term succession plan, but due to circumstances, his time at the helm came quicker than anyone expected. He previously served as interim head coach with Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies.

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Although the 2018/19 NBA regular season just wrapped up on Wednesday night, Memphis Grizzlies already engaged in a major overhaul after another unsuccessful run. The team decided to fire their head coach J.B. Bickerstaff while also making several other organizational moves. This comes after Grizzlies missed the playoffs a second year in a row while finishing the season 12^th in Western Conference with a 33-49 record.

Besides firing Bickerstaff, Grizzlies also reassigned general manager Chris Wallace and vice president of basketball operations John Hollinger. The duo will now serve in scouting and senior advisory roles.

Jason Wexler, who was team’s lead business executive, was elevated to the role of team president while assistant general manager Zach Kleiman will now serve as executive vice-president of basketball operations.

“In order to put our team on the path to sustainable success, it was necessary to change our approach to basketball operations,” – said Grizzlies’ chairman and controlling owner Robert J. Pera in a statement. “I look forward to a reenergized front office and fresh approach to Memphis Grizzlies basketball under new leadership while retaining the identity and values that have distinguished our team.”

“I want to thank Chris and John for their long-term service and dedication to the Memphis Grizzlies and for their considerable contributions to our past successes, and look forward to their contributions to our future ones. I also want to thank J.B. for his leadership and commitment to our organization in his time as our coach.” – he added.

J.B. Bickerstaff joined Memphis Grizzlies in 2016 when he was hired as associate head coach. After David Fizdale got fired early in 2017/18 NBA season, Bickerstaff took the interim head coach role and was later named team’s permanent head coach. He ends his tenure in Memphis with a 48-97 record.

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Memphis Grizzlies are sticking with J.B. Bickerstaff, who served as the team’s interim coach for the majority of the regular NBA season. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Bickerstaff signed a three –year deal which will make him the team’s next head coach.

J.B. Bickerstaff took over the team in November 2017, after Grizzlies fired David Fizdale who posted a 7-12 record in the first 19 games of the season. Although Bickerstaff didn’t manage to improve the record by much, going 15-48 in the final 63 games, he did impress the organization given the limited resources he worked with. Grizzlies had a bad luck with injuries throughout the entire season, including the loss of their star player in Mike Conley, who was limited to just 12 games. The only positive thing is that they have ended with the second-worst record in the league and will have a high chance to get one of the first three picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

This was the second time that J.B. Bickerstaff served as an interim coach for an NBA team. After Houston Rockets fired Kevin McHale at the beginning of the 2015-16 NBA season, Bickerstaff led the team for the rest of the season. He ended the season with 37-34 record and managed to get the Rockets into playoffs as the eight seed in the Western Conference. Bickerstaff also worked as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats and Minnesota Timberwolves.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will continue to serve in his position next season, the team’s president of basketball operations Koby Altman confirmed on Friday. The Cavs have decided to keep their faith in Bickerstaff despite suffering a disappointing first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs.

In what was their first playoff appearance since LeBron James left the franchise five seasons ago, the Cavs lost in five games against the New York Knicks, who appeared to easily overpower them. Bickerstaff was subsequently criticized for his strategy in the series, particularly because of the team’s apparently rash tactical changes and the overall dominance of the Knicks.

“End that speculation,” Altman said in a text message to the Associated Press in response to speculation surrounding Bickerstaff’s potential dismissal. “He’s our head coach and we have a lot of support and respect for the job he’s done.”

The Cavs enjoyed a relatively successful regular season run, winning 51 games and finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Prior to their playoff loss, the Cavaliers boasted the best defensive record in the NBA.

The post J.B. Bickerstaff To Remain Cavaliers Coach, Team Confirms appeared first on SportzBonanza.

John Beilein’s tenure as a Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach is over after just 54 games. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Cavs and Beilein decided to part ways with associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff taking over the team on a full-time basis.

Reportedly, Beilein will be officially out as Cleveland’s HC after the players return from the All-Star break. The two sides agreed to a contract termination, which will see Beilein being compensated for the rest of the salary for this season. He was on a five-year deal, which was paying him around $4 million a year.

The sources within the organization reveal that the reason for John Beilein and Cavs’ breakup is the 67-year-old’s inability to connect with the players. Despite having a proven record of success on the college level, Beilein struggled in NBA, and his team is currently 14-50, having the league’s worst record. While Cleveland initially decided to give their new coach enough time to adapt, it became clear that the union might not be set up for success.

According to reports, Cavs’ general manager Koby Altman brought up the topic of parting ways with Beilein before the All-Star Game, and after putting a lot of thought in it, the front office made a move.

Beilein previously worked for 40 years on the college level and was highly regarded for his work with younger players. Before coming to Cleveland, he spent 12 years with Michigan, leading the program to two Final Four appearances.

Cavaliers’ decision to turn to Bickerstaff as Beilein’s successor doesn’t come as a surprise. Bickerstaff was brought in as part of the team’s long-term succession plan, but due to circumstances, his time at the helm came quicker than anyone expected. He previously served as interim head coach with Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies.

The post Cavs and John Beilein Part Ways, J.B. Bickerstaff Takes Over appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although the 2018/19 NBA regular season just wrapped up on Wednesday night, Memphis Grizzlies already engaged in a major overhaul after another unsuccessful run. The team decided to fire their head coach J.B. Bickerstaff while also making several other organizational moves. This comes after Grizzlies missed the playoffs a second year in a row while finishing the season 12^th in Western Conference with a 33-49 record.

Besides firing Bickerstaff, Grizzlies also reassigned general manager Chris Wallace and vice president of basketball operations John Hollinger. The duo will now serve in scouting and senior advisory roles.

Jason Wexler, who was team’s lead business executive, was elevated to the role of team president while assistant general manager Zach Kleiman will now serve as executive vice-president of basketball operations.

“In order to put our team on the path to sustainable success, it was necessary to change our approach to basketball operations,” – said Grizzlies’ chairman and controlling owner Robert J. Pera in a statement. “I look forward to a reenergized front office and fresh approach to Memphis Grizzlies basketball under new leadership while retaining the identity and values that have distinguished our team.”

“I want to thank Chris and John for their long-term service and dedication to the Memphis Grizzlies and for their considerable contributions to our past successes, and look forward to their contributions to our future ones. I also want to thank J.B. for his leadership and commitment to our organization in his time as our coach.” – he added.

J.B. Bickerstaff joined Memphis Grizzlies in 2016 when he was hired as associate head coach. After David Fizdale got fired early in 2017/18 NBA season, Bickerstaff took the interim head coach role and was later named team’s permanent head coach. He ends his tenure in Memphis with a 48-97 record.

The post Grizzlies Fire Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Make Other Organizational Moves appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Memphis Grizzlies are sticking with J.B. Bickerstaff, who served as the team’s interim coach for the majority of the regular NBA season. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Bickerstaff signed a three –year deal which will make him the team’s next head coach.

J.B. Bickerstaff took over the team in November 2017, after Grizzlies fired David Fizdale who posted a 7-12 record in the first 19 games of the season. Although Bickerstaff didn’t manage to improve the record by much, going 15-48 in the final 63 games, he did impress the organization given the limited resources he worked with. Grizzlies had a bad luck with injuries throughout the entire season, including the loss of their star player in Mike Conley, who was limited to just 12 games. The only positive thing is that they have ended with the second-worst record in the league and will have a high chance to get one of the first three picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

This was the second time that J.B. Bickerstaff served as an interim coach for an NBA team. After Houston Rockets fired Kevin McHale at the beginning of the 2015-16 NBA season, Bickerstaff led the team for the rest of the season. He ended the season with 37-34 record and managed to get the Rockets into playoffs as the eight seed in the Western Conference. Bickerstaff also worked as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats and Minnesota Timberwolves.

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