Tag: JB Bickerstaff

Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff gives respect to Sixers star Tyrese Maxey

Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff expressed his respect for Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.

PHILADELPHIA — With James Harden no longer in the picture for the Philadelphia 76ers, the starting point guard spot belongs to Tyrese Maxey.

The 23-year-old hasn’t blinked at the responsibility of running a championship contender. He has been terrific, averaging 27 points, 7 assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 46.6% from the floor and 42.5% from deep. He has taken a big leap in his development and other teams have noticed.

Before the Sixers took on the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Tuesday, Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff expressed his respect and how impressed he has been with Maxey.

“Just the way that he’s reading the game,” Bickerstaff explained. “He’s not just playing at one speed and playing for himself. You see him setting the table for guys and picking and choosing depending on how the defense is playing him.”

Maxey’s basketball IQ is extremely high and he has been able to quickly figure out how teams are defending him and how teams are attacking him. Therefore, he has been able to make adjustments on the fly.

“How he makes the next play,” Bickerstaff added. “If they’re aggressive early, he gets off of it. If they’re playing off of him early, then he’s being more aggressive, so just kinda see him — it appears that he has a plan of how he wants to attack the game and that’s what the good point guards do.”

The Sixers have found success rather quickly without Harden. That is due to Maxey’s play and the fact others are buying into what coach Nick Nurse would like to run.

“From what we’ve seen, there’s a lot more Tobias Harris,” Bickerstaff added of the new-look Sixers. “He seems to be much more aggressive, involved more, ball’s in his hands, he’s attacking early in transition, and then obviously, you’ve seen what Maxey’s been able to do, too. He’s a phenomenal player.”

Maxey being able to run, run, run, and also keep tempo while also being able to play under control in the half-court has been impressive for a young guard.

“He plays at a tempo and under control at the same time so I think it’s more the individuals are being highlighted,” Bickerstaff finished. “Obviously, with James and his usage, it just changes a little bit, but those guys’ usage seems to be up.”

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In return to Cleveland, Rockets praise Kevin Porter Jr.’s personal growth

Sunday was Kevin Porter Jr.’s first time playing in Cleveland since being traded to Houston. Stephen Silas, Rafael Stone, and Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff all praised his personal growth.

Sunday’s matchup between the Rockets and Cavaliers was the first in Cleveland with Kevin Porter Jr. playing for Houston.

While Porter was traded by Cleveland in January 2021 after several concerning off-court incidents, an injury prevented him from playing in last season’s meeting there. Because the Rockets and Cavaliers play in different conferences, they only travel to each other’s home once per season, and the 2020-21 meeting came when Porter was still ramping up to play with Houston’s G League affiliate.

Thus, Sunday was the first on-location reunion for Porter and the franchise that drafted him in the 2019 first round. Now 22 years old and in his fourth NBA season, Porter is having statistically his best year as Houston’s starting point guard, averaging 18.6 points (43.6% FG, 35% on 3-pointers), 5.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game.

But with Porter, on-court production is only part of the journey. According to head coach Stephen Silas and general manager Rafael Stone, as well as former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in Cleveland, he’s also developed on a personal level during these two-plus years.

From Sunday’s pregame media sessions, here’s what each of them had to say on Porter and his growth.

Cavs’ JB Bickerstaff thinks Brooklyn Nets ‘recollected’ well after trade deadline

JB Bickerstaff gave the Nets their credit for how they recovered from the trade deadline.

NEW YORK — Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff has done a wonderful job leading his Cavs to a 46-28 record and the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. He has done a lot to turn the program around after a down period following LeBron James’ departure for the Los Angeles Lakers. With that being said, Bickerstaff took a moment before Tuesday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets to reflect on how the Nets have been since the trade deadline has passed.

“I think they did a great job,” Bickerstaff said when asked what he thinks of what Brooklyn was able to do post-deadline. The notable moves during the deadline were trading Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and draft picks while also trading Kevin Durant and TJ Warren to the Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and draft picks. “A lot of times when you make the deals that they (Nets) made in the middle of the season, it can be really difficult,” Bickerstaff continued.

The era following the Durant and Irving trades has not been pleasant, but the team has reasons to be optimistic. Forward Mikal Bridges is looking like a future All-Star while guys like center Nic Claxton and forward Cam Johnson are coming into their own. However, the team is less able to win games than it used to be thanks to the superstar trades. Since Feb. 11, when the full roster was available, the Nets are 6-11 while being 27th in the NBA in offensive rating (110.7) and just 19th in defensive rating (115.6).

Despite the recent losing, it looks like coaches around the league, like Bickerstaff, are taking notice of Brooklyn and what they’re building. It will just take time for the best form of the Nets to take form.

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Cavaliers believe Sixers stars Joel Embiid, James Harden manipulate rules

The Cleveland Cavaliers believe Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and James Harden manipulate the rules a bit to get foul calls.

It’s no secret Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and James Harden are terrific at getting to the foul line. The two are so tough to stop that teams have to resort to fouling them. That allows the duo to get into a rhythm and get going on offense.

In Philadelphia’s 118-109 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Embiid shot 10-for-10 from the foul line and Harden 9-for-12. The Cavs weren’t able to stop them, but they also believe the two do a good job of manipulating the rules to get to the line. Embiid averages 11.9 free throw attempts per game while Harden averages 6.7 per game.

Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff, who worked with Harden while both were with the Houston Rockets, understands this the most when it comes to The Beard, specifically.

“Not taking anything away from those guys,” Bickerstaff told reporters. “They’re phenomenal basketball players and they know how to play within the rules. I was with James for four years in Houston, and he’s a master at manipulating the rules, and Joel does the same. So you have to be extremely disciplined, but even then they find a way to create that contact and draw a foul.”

Cavs big man Evan Mobley looked as if he had drawn the sixth foul on Embiid in the fourth quarter when it looked like he had taken a charge from the Philadelphia star. However, the Sixers challenged the call, and it was overturned, leading to Embiid staying in the game.

“I feel like James Harden and Joel Embiid are both some great foul drawers,” Mobley stated. “We need to stay disciplined as possible and not foul them and have them go to the free-throw line over and over again.”

As far as the offensive foul play with Embiid is concerned, Mobley believed he was in a good spot to draw the call.

“I think I had good position, he hit me, I fell back,” Mobley added. “There’s not much better I can do on that.”

Did Embiid and Harden get the benefit of the whistle a bit on Wednesday? Sure, but they both played so well in all facets of the game and that’s why the Sixers were able to come out on top.

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Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff disgusted at officials overturning Joel Embiid foul

Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff is disgusted that the officials overturned the foul on Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.

At the 4:12 mark of the fourth quarter in Cleveland on Wednesday, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was called for an offensive foul when it appeared he pushed Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley with his right elbow. The call meant Embiid had fouled out of the game.

At that point, the Sixers led 108-101, and it would have been tough to close it out without the big fella.

Instead, coach Doc Rivers challenged the call, and it was overturned to a no-call. The shot Embiid made on the play counted, and the Sixers went on to win it 118-109. The MVP candidate finished with 36 points and 18 rebounds with four blocks.

Afterward, Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff was disgusted with the officiating as he told reporters:

It was a helluva charge to get Embiid his sixth foul. He did a helluva job. It’s clear as day that’s a charge. There’s no doubt about it. The call was made on the floor. He stands in between him and the basket. He lowered the shoulder. I thought Evan competed and laid it all out on the line. Guys oughta be rewarded for that. You know what I mean? Like if you’re willing to stick your nose in there, sacrifice your body, you oughta be rewarded for the correct play.

Official John Goble defended the overturned call when talking to a pool reporter after the game.

“The contact by Embid was determined to be marginal as he did not go through the space of Mobley,” Goble told the reporter.

It appears the Sixers got away with one. When considering the time and score, they probably would have won the game anyway, but that does look like an offensive foul. Bickerstaff may have a legitimate gripe on his end.

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The unusual reason why Jarrett Allen and the Cavs celebrate when they’re called for a lane violation

“We get a three-second call, we’re playing our defense and we’re doing something right.”

It isn’t easy to defend an MVP candidate like Joel Embiid, and when Jarrett Allen tried, it resulted in a lane violation and a trip to the free-throw line.

Of course, it wasn’t out of the ordinary to see Embiid earn a trip to the charity stripe considering. The big man has attempted more free throws per 100 possessions than everyone in the NBA except for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But what was more surprising was how genuinely excited Allen seemed to get flagged for three-in-the-key. Jeff Van Gundy, who was on the call, said he had never before seen someone celebrate their team getting called for such a violation.

Watch the clip above and you will see the bizarre events.

The arena is silent and yet you can hear Allen thunderously roar as he is called for a penalty. What is the context that Van Gundy and non-Cleveland fans were missing?

Well, as you could have guessed, Allen didn’t just go rogue and decide he was happy that Philadelphia was given a free trip to the line. This is actually a defensive philosophy pushed by Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff.

Bickerstaff said “we don’t care” if the call is made because he “begged” his bigs to protect the paint (via Cleveland.com):

“The year [the Celtics] won the championship [in 2008], Kendrick Perkins led the league with 19 of them … Imagine how many times he was in the paint and they didn’t call it. As we think about it, just stand in the paint. They shoot 19 free throws on the year, they make 14 of them, you give up 14 points, but think about how many you take away. That’s kind of our mentality.”

It’s sort of like in the NFL, where the old saying goes that refs could probably call holding on every play (even if a flag shouldn’t be thrown on that call to decide a Super Bowl — but that is a digression).

Refs aren’t going to call three-in-the-key every time, but Cleveland is daring them to try.

Allen explained his reaction to this mandate:

“I could see how it (can) come off as different to some teams, but that’s just how we roll,” Allen said. “About two years now, J.B. (Bickerstaff) was like ‘J.A., just stand in the paint, stand in the paint, they’re not gonna call it.’ He said celebrate. I just took it, and I just ran with it. Our thing is to protect the paint. We get a three second call, we’re playing our defense and we’re doing something right.”

Considering that the Cavs are encouraged to stay in the key, it’s no surprise to learn they lead the league (20) in defensive 3-second violations.

Despite the newfound and unexpected encouragement from his head coach, however, Allen was called for three-second violations more often in Brooklyn (0.14 per 100 possessions) than he has in Cleveland (0.03) thus far. But when the calls happen, he says that he’s going to keep celebrating:

“The whole arena started laughing at me,” Allen told cleveland.com. “If we’re down 20 or we’re down 40, I’m not going to change. That’s how we do our defense. It worked at getting us back in the game. It used to just be looking at the bench and clapping. Then I just chose to evolve to something much greater. I don’t know where I’m going to take it next.”

Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, who has recorded the third-most three-second violations (9) of anyone in the NBA so far this season, added more context.

“Coach wants us to be in the paint at all times,” Mobley said. “Me and J.A. are there to protect the paint and anchor the paint. We’ve bought into the system and sometimes we’re going to get defensive three seconds. Started a little trend of celebrating because we’re in the paint like we should be. We’re going to keep doing it. We’ve been doing it all season.”

If the goal is to protect the paint, Allen and Mobley are doing great.

Opponents are currently shooting 63.0 percent against Cleveland at the rim, per Cleaning the Glass, which ranks second-best in the NBA. Overall, the Cavs currently have the best defensive rating in the league.

Given his personnel, maybe Bickerstaff’s idea isn’t so crazy after all.

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Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff gives utmost respect to Sixers’ James Harden

Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff gives the utmost respect to Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden.

PHILADELPHIA — James Harden is on his way to the Hall of Fame regardless of whether he wins a title. He has accomplished so much in his career and is regarded as one of the greatest scorers to ever play the game.

He has won the scoring title three times and won the MVP award in 2018. He has put together one helluva career. Even in the 2022-23 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden is averaging 21.4 points and 10.8 assists, which leads the league.

Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff has experience with Harden during their days with the Houston Rockets. The transition Harden is going through from elite scorer to elite playmaker doesn’t shock him.

“The thing about James was there was not a play James couldn’t make even when he was scoring at the clip that he was scoring at,” said Bickerstaff. “He would always break down defenses and make the right decision. He can make all the passes, he can make all the plays out of pick-and-roll, so this isn’t something I haven’t seen before.”

The role Harden has in Philadelphia is not the same as with the Rockets. In Houston, The Beard had to do everything for it to succeed. The offense was centered around him and what he could do on the offensive end.

In Philadelphia, the offense is centered on Joel Embiid and getting him his touches. Therefore, Harden focuses on making the right basketball play.

“What James is understanding is how do I make this team better and how do I make it work with the current teammates that I have?” Bickerstaff continued. “Paying respect to big fella. How do I get him his touches? (Tyrese) Maxey, Tobias (Harris), how do I get all these guys? What James is doing is playing the position to help his team.”

On the season, Harden is shooting 45.1% from the floor and 38.9% from deep. He also has a true shooting percentage of 61.9% as he continues to work his back from previous injuries as well as be this big playmaker for the Sixers.

“I don’t think it’s anything where he has to take a step back or anything where he’s feeling a type of way,” Bickerstaff finished. “It’s how do I help this team win? And I think he’s accepting that approach.”

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Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff impressed by offseason moves Sixers made

Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff is impressed with the offseason moves made by the Philadelphia 76ers.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers had a busy offseason. They brought in PJ Tucker, De’Anthony Melton, Danuel House Jr. and Montrezl Harrell to increase the team’s toughness and improve the supporting cast.

It has only been two preseason games, but the additions the Sixers have made continue to make an impact on the floor. Melton has been solid on the defensive end. House Jr. is knocking down 3, and Tucker is making his presence felt. Even Harrell has hopped off the bench and given good production.

Before their preseason win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff was complimentary of the moves Philadelphia made in the offseason.

“They did an excellent job in the offseason of building a basketball team,” said Bickerstaff of the Sixers. “I think, spending a ton of time with Daryl (Morey) in Houston, having a real familiarity with him and what his expectations are and the plans he puts in place.”

Bickerstaff spent time with the Houston Rockets, so he understands what Morey wants to do and he knows how he likes to run things. The moves Morey made were focused on helping James Harden and Joel Embiid get the job done on the floor just as Morey tried to do with Harden in Houston.

“Obviously, I have a ton of respect for Doc (Rivers) and his ability to coach in the league, but when you look at what they’ve built, they’ve brought in pieces that can complement and make their stars better,” Bickerstaff added. “I think any time you do that, it’s a successful summer, for sure.”

Time will tell if the moves the Sixers made will actually help them get over the hump in the Eastern Conference, but on paper the moves appear perfect fits for this team to fix issues.

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Cavaliers not concerned Evan Mobley will miss start of regular season

Danny Cunningham: #Cavs head coach JB Bickerstaff was asked if the team is worried Evan Mobley may miss the start of the season with his sprained right ankle: “I mean, not now, obviously we see how he responds and all that. We’ll always be safe with …

Danny Cunningham: #Cavs head coach JB Bickerstaff was asked if the team is worried Evan Mobley may miss the start of the season with his sprained right ankle: “I mean, not now, obviously we see how he responds and all that. We’ll always be safe with our guys. Right now there isn’t concern.”

Source: Twitter @RealDCunningham

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
#Cavs head coach JB Bickerstaff was asked if the team is worried Evan Mobley may miss the start of the season with his sprained right ankle: “I mean, not now, obviously we see how he responds and all that. We’ll always be safe with our guys. Right now there isn’t concern.” – 1:08 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
The NBA has released annual GM survey:
–#Cavs predicted to finish 6th in the East
-Evan Mobley voted most likely to have a breakout season
-Donovan Mitchell offseason acquisition with biggest impact
-Cavs had best offseason
-Cavs voted 2nd most improved.
nba.com/news/2022-23-g… – 12:11 PM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
ICYMI: #Cavs‘ Evan Mobley could miss up to two weeks with right ankle sprain beaconjournal.com/story/sports/p… via @beaconjournal – 9:08 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Cavaliers Evan Mobley out 1-2 weeks with sprained ankle nba.nbcsports.com/2022/10/03/cav… – 8:39 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
#Cavs are set to be without Evan Mobley for the next week or two, putting his status for the start of the season in jeopardy. More on that, plus Dylan Windler feeling the best he’s been in awhile and breaking Isaac Okoro out of the box. thelandondemand.com/news/2022/oct/… – 8:38 PM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
#Cavs‘ Evan Mobley could miss up to two weeks with right ankle sprain beaconjournal.com/story/sports/p… via @beaconjournal – 7:39 PM
Serena Winters @SerenaWinters
Evan Mobley sprained his right ankle during training camp & will miss Wednesday’s game against the #Sixers.
Timetable for return is approximately 1-2 weeks, #Cavs say. – 7:02 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Cleveland Cavaliers say Evan Mobley will be sidelined 1-2 weeks with an ankle sprain. – 6:51 PM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
#Cavs announce C/F Evan Mobley will miss 1-2 weeks with a right ankle sprain – 6:51 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs youngster Evan Mobley will not play Wednesday night because of a right ankle sprain. He will be out 1-2 weeks. Sources tell me he stepped on a player’s foot at practice. – 6:51 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
#Cavs announce that big man Evan Mobley will miss the next 1-2 weeks with an ankle sprain. – 6:51 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Cavaliers say Evan Mobley will miss one-to-two weeks with a right ankle sprain. – 6:50 PM

More on this storyline

Chris Fedor: In the NBA’s Annual GM Survey, #Cavs are ranked 6th in the East. They topped the list for best offseason & most promising young core. Also Evan Mobley came in 1st for the player most likely to have a breakout season & Donovan Mitchell the acquisition who will make biggest impact -via Twitter @ChrisFedor / October 4, 2022

JB Bickerstaff: We want Evan Mobley to be in the DPOY conversation

Chris Fedor: #Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff on Evan Mobley: “We want him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. That is the type of player we know he can be.” Source: Twitter @ChrisFedor What’s the buzz on Twitter? Marla Ridenour @ MRidenourABJ …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
#Cavs Evan Mobley: “ Hopefully this year you’ll see a lot more 3s.” Had shooting coach in LA, also working with assist coach Luke Walton & others – 1:47 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Evan Mobley said his face-up game and playmaking at the elbow were a couple things he focused on this offseason with head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. – 1:43 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Evan Mobley said he was in a gym working out when the team acquired Donovan Mitchell. He said someone in the gym who saw the news shouted it out and let him know about it. Mobley’s response to the news: “Oh shoot!” He was obviously excited. – 1:41 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff on Evan Mobley: “We want him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. That is the type of player we know he can be.” – 12:48 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs president of basketball operations called Evan Mobley’s commitment this offseason “incredible.” Mobley spent lots of time around head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. – 12:47 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs Evan Mobley asked J.B. Bickerstaff how many more times they have to do the “beep” conditioning test during his media day presser pic.twitter.com/NJ7e8C0Pd9 – 12:42 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Evan Mobley stops by to ask J.B. Bickerstaff a question during Media Day. pic.twitter.com/R2lyoyESzT – 12:40 PM

More on this storyline

During the 2016 Western Conference finals between the Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder, Green was fined $25,000 for kicking Steven Adams in the groin. But since then, Green has noticed other NBA players don’t necessarily receive the same treatment from referees as he has over the years. “There’s Draymond Green rules,” Green said on “Checc’n In.” “There’s 100 percent Draymond Green rules. Evan Mobley did the same exact thing and kicked LeBron in the head, ain’t nobody talking about wanting to kick him out, ain’t nobody talking like it was [on] purpose.” -via NBC Sports / September 17, 2022
In January of 2022, HoopsHype polled 15 NBA executives and asked them to rank their top five players under 25 years old by the start of the NBA season to build around. We have repeated the exercise ahead of the 2022-23 season. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was the unanimous first choice among the NBA executives polled, while Evan Mobley and Anthony Edwards were two of the top risers. -via HoopsHype / September 14, 2022
Evan Mobley. That’s what one NBA source began with when I asked him about the Cavs deal. He called it a “net plus.” Like a few other NBA sources, he mentioned: “It’s hard to get a superstar to come to Cleveland. It’s not just Cleveland, it’s most other small markets. Trading for Mitchell with three years on his contract brings a star to Cleveland.” -via Cleveland Plain Dealer / September 12, 2022