(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons didn’t want to wait much longer to get their new coach.
Firing Monty Williams was a tough pill to swallow for them, considering how much money they would still have to pay him.
However, it’s more than evident that they want to go in a different direction and put an end to their years’ worth of struggles.
With that in mind, the new front office chose former Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff as his successor, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
ESPN Sources: The Detroit Pistons are hiring J.B. Bickerstaff as the franchise’s next coach. Bickerstaff comes to the Pistons after consecutive trips to playoffs with Cavaliers —- including the Eastern Conference semifinals. pic.twitter.com/ZlX0CZIH6C
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024
Needless to say, this news was met with mixed reviews, and the fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on this hire.
Bickerstaff, who led the Cavaliers to back-to-back playoff appearances, including a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals, is no stranger to success. He’s known for his defensive-minded coaching style and his ability to develop young talent.
— Picks & Vidz (@Picksvidz) June 30, 2024
I will never understand the recycled coaches in the nba. Especially with awful teams
— Young Simba (@the2kmessiah) June 30, 2024
Good move for building a culture.
— Dylan (@dillybar2145) June 30, 2024
underrated hire tbh but will receive a lot of hate
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) June 30, 2024
On the one hand, Bickerstaff has plenty of history with developing players, and he could improve this team’s ever-struggling defense.
On the other hand, there were some concerning reports about his player management with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Whatever the case, the Pistons have plenty of young talent, and while they might not be ready to compete at the highest level just yet, they should’ve definitely fared better than they did in the lone season of Monty Williams’ tenure in charge of the team.
The fact that they didn’t even want to give him a second chance to build his project there speaks volumes about how poorly things went behind closed doors.
It’s been a while since the Pistons were last a playoff team, let alone a contender, and it seems like patience is running out in Michigan once and for all.
The post Fans React To Today’s J.B. Bickerstaff News appeared first on The Cold Wire.