Another Pistons’ loss could lead to the unthinkable
Even although the Detroit Pistons overachieved this season by successful 60 video games and claiming the high spot in the Eastern Conference, one other loss will lead to a loud dialog about JB Bickerstaff.
It’s nuts to assume that the head coach who took the Pistons from 14 wins to 60 in two seasons and was voted as Coach of the Year by his friends could be on the scorching seat this summer time, but when the Pistons lose this primary spherical sequence towards the Magic, that’s exactly the place he will likely be.
The Pistons will likely be affected person, but it surely will not final eternally
Coming into this sequence, the thought of JB Bickerstaff being let go after this season was unthinkable and that hasn’t actually modified. I do not assume there’s a state of affairs the place coach Bickerstaff will get fired after this season, and the followers could also be far forward of the franchise when it comes to that narrative.
Expectations for the playoffs modified after the Pistons’ success this season, however coming into this yr, nobody expected Detroit to win 60 games and plenty of had them pegged to take a small step again after they have been unable to retain key veterans final offseason.
Instead, they received 16 extra video games this yr, and a number of credit score has to be given to JB Bickerstaff. Not solely did he determine a means to maximize a wonky roster, however he modified the complete tradition, as Detroit was in a foul means earlier than he confirmed up.
I do assume coach Bickerstaff will likely be given an opportunity to see it by way of with this group no matter what occurs this season, however that persistence will not final eternally.
JB Bickerstaff’s playoff document is regarding
The largest knock towards JB Bickerstaff is that he hasn’t had a lot success in the playoffs, which has led some to name him a “bridge” coach, that means a man who could make a foul crew good however will finally have to go in order for you to win a title.
Bickerstaff is simply 10-21 in the playoffs in his profession and 2-6 with the Pistons over the final two seasons. I often ignore all of this “championship coach” discuss, as each coach was as soon as a man who hadn’t received a title. No one is a championship coach till they’re.
It solely takes one deep playoff run or a title to change perceptions eternally, simply ask Doc Rivers, who has been dwelling off the title he received in 2008 for almost 20 years and hasn’t had a lot success since.
But outcomes are all that matter for JB Bickerstaff, and there have been some troubling pink flags. He hasn’t been in a position to crack the Orlando protection in any significant means or discover methods to get Jalen Duren involved.
The Pistons’ half-court offense has been stifled and uncreative, and coach Bickerstaff cannot determine the proper combos of bench gamers, main to the abomination of a lineup we noticed to open the 4th quarter in recreation three.
These are the similar criticisms coach Bickerstaff has confronted for his complete profession and can proceed till he makes a deep playoff run. He’ll get his probability with the Pistons, however one other loss will flip up the warmth below JB.
