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Hunter Patterson: J.B. on where Duren was most impactful: “His all-around game is effective for us. Down the stretch in particular his will to want to go get the ball, the offensive rebounds and how he imposed his will to give us extra possessions — thought he did a great job for us.”
Omari Sankofa II: JB deserves credit for trusting Jenkins through his early struggles in the postseason and allowing him to work through it. Jenkins huge for them in Game 7 and in the fourth quarter tonight.
Omari Sankofa II: JB on Duren and the two-man game with Cade: "The coverages are different, so they know their outlets …. But I'm not here to hop on the scoring piece. JD does so much for us all around that we know he’s capable of scoring, but his impact is felt no matter what."
Omari Sankofa II: JB on forcing 19 turnovers: "That’s who we are defensively. That’s what our physicality does to people. It puts them in tight spots and then they have to make plays in tight spots. The aim is to wear you down as much as we possibly can."
Omari Sankofa II: JB on the convo with Holland when he didn't play in Round 1: "You just have to stay ready. We talked to the guys that these are quarters, games, series, roles and responsibilities are going to change. Whatever skill you have is going to become necessary at some point."
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Omari Sankofa II: Atkinson on facing his predecessor in JB: “What a year he had, what a year the team had … you relish these challenges. These guys are elite in their business. Of course, just like with the players it’s a challenge. Respect the heck out of him and what they did this year.”
Hunter Patterson: J.B. on his contract extension: “It’s a credit to everybody that’s been here. That’s what I appreciate, the people I get to work with every day. … If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in this position. It’s great that it happened, but we’ve got a game to go win.”
Omari Sankofa II: Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson on if players bring familiar with JB helps: “It helps a little. I think some knowledge there, especially on the defensive schemes and where they’re going to be, that helps a little bit for sure.”
Omari Sankofa II: JB’s being intentionally brief when asked about his relationship with the Cavs. Replied “Yes” to a question about if his experience with their players helps with game planning. Said “No, we don’t do that here” when asked if his personal emotions will factor into the series.
Hunter Patterson: Cade Cunningham on his bond with Bickerstaff: "I've had plenty of talks with him just about trying to find answers in my life, trying to figure things out and just asking for his advice," Cunningham said of J.B. “Having somebody like that to call on means a lot, you know what I'm saying? Being in the NBA and being a player, it's the best life in the world. "But we really only have each other to relate to. We're kind of anomalies in where we come from and everything. It could be a lonely world in that way, as far as not having anybody that understands where we're coming from. But he just does a great job of it, he does a great job of helping us out in that way."
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At the core of Bickerstaff’s coaching philosophy is his understanding of people. Bickerstaff’s emotional intelligence allows him to approach each new relationship differently, rather than coming into his position with a one-size-fits-all method. Since being at the helm in Detroit, Bickerstaff has cultivated relationships with his players and assistant coaches that help illuminate them. “He truly cares about people,” Luke Walton, a former NBA player and head coach who is now an assistant in Detroit, told The Athletic during a January shootaround. “Players are extremely intelligent on when they’re being bullsh–ted or when people actually care. He truly does (care), and the players recognize that. … He tells us every year going into the season, ‘Our job is to make these players feel invincible, and we’ve got to put them in the best position for them to succeed.’ “Between taking the time to get to know them, talking to them, caring about them and then giving them the belief on the court to do what they’re capable of doing, it’s just a great combination. Especially for a young team that was trying to build something after a pretty rough year before we got here.”
“He’s super supportive of all of us outside of just basketball,” Cade Cunningham told The Athletic. “Everybody feels like they can call him to talk about if they have problems with their girlfriend or if they need something for their kids. He’s just a very selfless and supportive person. Having somebody like that who cares about you on the court and wants you to be great on the court, but then also actually cares about your life and your well-being off the court is huge.”
Bickerstaff: “Organizations obviously have the right to make their choices. I feel like this is a wrong choice, to be honest with you. Jamahl did a heck of a job of taking that organization and that team from lottery to playoff team, year in, year out. I don't think there's been a team whose star players have been injured more than his star players were injured. And for him to be able to hold the ship down and make it to the playoffs year in, year out says a lot about his ability to coach team, build character, develop players, and create culture and environment. So I know he'll get a job, and the next job, whatever franchise he goes to will be better off for it.”