The Detroit Pistons have a new head coach, and I’m not mad about it. I was really, really worried who these guys would bring to the Motor City. I haven’t been thrilled with their picks up until now. But, I’m happy to say that I’m cool with the new hire for the Detroit Pistons head coach, and here’s why.
Detroit Pistons’ New Head Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff
The Detroit Pistons have been in rebuild mode for a long time. Like, forever. So, we should be happy that someone was willing to come here who has current NBA experience.
The new head coach for the Detroit Pistons is J.B. Bickerstaff. He’s reportedly signing a five-year deal with a team option for the fifth season. As with Monty Williams’ contact, this is a long one, and I’m sure it’s costing Detroit a lot of money. Bickerstaff is 45 and was most recently the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was with the Cavaliers from 2020-24 and got them to the first round of the playoffs in 2023 (51-31 record) and the second round this past season (48-34). He was given the boot this spring, after the Cavaliers were eliminated from the playoffs by Boston in five games. Meanwhile, Cleveland recently hired Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach.
Bickerstaff brings a winning track record, as well as experience in player development, which is exactly what the Pistons need. We don’t have veteran talent. Maybe we’ll get some during the offseason, but it’s going to be difficult to get veterans to want to come here, so we have to develop the young talent on our team.
“Bickerstaff checks multiple boxes the Pistons wanted in their next head coach, with a track record in player development and organizing and positioning young teams for success,” the Detroit Free Press notes.
“Bickerstaff now inherits a young Detroit team coming off of a 14-win season,” adds Sports Illustrated. “While the Pistons aren’t in a rush to begin competing for a playoff bid as early as next season, there is a lot of pressure on Bickerstaff to steer the ship in the right direction after a disappointing season under Williams.”
“I think you have to have a teacher who can teach the fundamentals of the game, and I don’t mean dribbling and passing,” team president Trajan Langdon after getting hired here in Detroit on June 21 (via Freep.com). “I mean defensive X-outs, box outs and hold these things accountable to those things that impact winning every day. And being able to communicate the ‘why’ about it, I think that’s essential for this generation of player.”
He added, “You can’t just tell them what to do and expect them just to do it. You have to communicate the ‘why’ behind it and they have to be aware of how that communication is being received. That’s what we’re all looking for in a head coach, which isn’t always easy, but it’s something we’ll be looking for.”