J. B. Bickerstaff
John-Blair Bickerstaff (born March 10, 1979) is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Prior to that, he was the head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies and has also been an assistant coach for several other NBA teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers | |
---|---|
Position | Head coach |
League | NBA |
Personal information | |
Born | Denver, Colorado | March 10, 1979
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
Career information | |
High school | East (Denver, Colorado) |
College |
|
NBA draft | 2001 / Undrafted |
Position | Forward |
Coaching career | 2004–present |
Career history | |
As coach: | |
2004–2007 | Charlotte Bobcats (assistant) |
2007–2011 | Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant) |
2011–2015 | Houston Rockets (assistant) |
2015–2016 | Houston Rockets (interim) |
2016–2017 | Memphis Grizzlies (associate) |
2017–2019 | Memphis Grizzlies |
2019–2020 | Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant/Assoc. HC) |
2020–present | Cleveland Cavaliers |
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
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 15, 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After the season, Bickerstaff informed the Rockets that he had withdrawn his name for the head coaching search, effectively ending his tenure with the Houston Rockets.[4]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] 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, 2020, the Cavaliers announced that they had agreed on a multi-year contract with Bickerstaff.[11]
Head coaching record
Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Houston | 2015–16 | 71 | 37 | 34 | .521 | 4th in Southwest | 5 | 1 | 4 | .200 | Lost in First Round |
Memphis | 2017–18 | 63 | 15 | 48 | .238 | 5th in Southwest | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
Memphis | 2018–19 | 82 | 33 | 49 | .402 | 3rd in Southwest | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
Cleveland | 2019–20 | 11 | 5 | 6 | .455 | 5th in Central | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
Career | 227 | 90 | 137 | .396 | 5 | 1 | 4 | .200 |
Personal life
Bickerstaff is the son of former NBA coach Bernie Bickerstaff,[12] who is also working for the Cavaliers in their front office serving as senior basketball advisor.[13][14]
References
- Rockets add four assistants to coaching staff Archived February 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. nba.com (July 15, 2011)
- "Rockets Relieve Kevin McHale of Head Coaching Duties". NBA.com. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- Blinebury, Fran (November 19, 2015). "ROCKETS TURN BACK PAGE FOR BICKERSTAFF". NBA.com. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- 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.
- "Grizzlies announce additions to Coaching Staff". NBA.com. June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- "Grizzlies relieve David Fizdale of head coaching duties". NBA.com. November 27, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- "Memphis Grizzlies introduce J.B. Bickerstaff Head Coach". NBA.com. May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- "Memphis Grizzlies announce restructuring of basketball operations department". NBA.com. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- "Cavaliers Agree to Terms with J.B. Bickerstaff to Become Associate Head Coach". Cleveland Cavaliers. May 19, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- "John Beilein Resigns as Cavaliers Head Coach". NBA.com. February 19, 2020.
- "Cleveland Cavaliers and J.B. Bickerstaff Agree On Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- J.B. Bickerstaff Archived March 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. nba.com
- Cavs Media Guide
- Koby Altman Got his Dream Job... ESPN