Cavs sign coach Bickerstaff to multiyear contract extension

Posted December 25, 2021 6:00 am

By TOM WITHERS

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff, center, checks the scoreboard as Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio, right, enters an NBA basketball game and guard Darius Garland takes the bench in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Cavaliers won 126-103. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig) The Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) - Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff has received a multiyear contract extension for his role in the team's dramatic turnaround.

Cleveland announced Bickerstaff's signing on Saturday. Terms of the deal were not released.

ESPN reported Bickerstaff is under contract through the 2026-27 season.

After winning just 22 games last season, the Cavs are 19-13 and fifth in the Eastern Conference. They recently won six straight games, but were hit with a COVID-19 outbreak and had to place eight players in health protocols.

The affable 42-year-old Bickerstaff took over when John Beilein walked away midway through the 2019 season. Prior to coaching in Cleveland, Bickerstaff was an interim coach in Houston and Memphis.

The Cavs won only 19 games in Bickerstaff's abbreviated first season, but were showing great promise before the season was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cleveland was ravaged by injuries last season, and finished 22-50.

Expectations were low heading into this season, but the arrival of rookie forward Evan Mobley, the No. 3 overall draft pick, and veteran guard Ricky Rubio have been huge factors in the Cavs' rise.

'œJ.B. Bickerstaff is, with all certainty, the right head coach to lead this franchise into what we believe is a very promising future,'ť general manager Koby Altman said. 'œThe decision to extend J.B. is not based solely on the early success of this season, but rather a body of work since his arrival to Cleveland.'ť

With one of the NBA's youngest rosters, the Cavs have been a major surprise this season despite playing a demanding schedule. They've won 12 times against teams with winning records, and 14 wins have been by at least 10 points.

Cleveland's defense has improved dramatically under Bickerstaff. The Cavs have the league's third-best defensive rating and are second to Golden State in points allowed.

The Cavs host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B Bickerstaff yells instructions to players in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 124-89. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) The Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B Bickerstaff, left, talks with Darius Garland in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) The Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J. B. Bickerstaff reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Basketball Content Providers NBA Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.