The Detroit Pistons have been one of the most disappointing NBA teams in recent years. However, their new head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, believes he can revive the struggling franchise.
During his official introduction as the new head coach of the Pistons earlier this week, Bickerstaff said that his previous work in turning around the Cleveland Cavaliers is proof that he can do the same in Detroit.
“I think the proof is there that we have the experience,” Bickerstaff said.
After taking over as Cavs’ head coach midway through the 2019–20 season, Bickerstaff helped the franchise get out of the slump it found itself in after the departure of LeBron James. The Cavaliers returned to the playoffs in 2022–23 and reached the second round this past season. In both of the previous two regular seasons, Cleveland finished fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Pistons’ new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon also pointed out Bickerstaff’s work with the Cavs as an indicator of potential success.
“You want somebody who can come in here and hit the ground running, and who’s done this before,” Langdon said. “Especially with a young team coming off a difficult season, positivity was important. We felt the experience was important. The players needed to feel like the person coming in here knew what he was talking about.”
Still, Bickerstaff, who is the Pistons’ third head coach in three years, is facing a serious challenge. Detroit made the playoffs last time in 2018–19 and hasn’t won more than 23 games in a single season since then.
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