Photo: Curtis Paul ~ WJR
DETROIT, July 10, 2024 ~ The Detroit Pistons introduced their new head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff this afternoon with a press conference at the Henry Ford Center, marking the dawn of a new era for a program that is looking forward to getting back to successful Detroit basketball.
Basketball coaching runs in Bickerstaff’s blood. His dad, Bernie, started his NBA career with the Washington Bullets as an assistant in 1973 and lasted 40 years around the league until he moved into an advisory role in 2014. 760 WJR’s Ken Brown, co-host of “The Mitch Albom Show,” asked Bickerstaff how his family ties have bred him into being the right man to lead the Pistons.
“I would see players my dad coached before come up to him and explain how they realize what he was trying to teach them when they were younger,” Bickerstaff said. “As a coach, I am looking to have a similar impact on the people here.”
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July 10, 2024 ~ In a press conference held Wednesday, J.B. Bickerstaff was announced as the new head coach of the Detroit Pistons. Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon told the media that Bickerstaff was chosen for his leadership qualities, positive culture-building, and passion for player and staff development.
(CONTINUED) Bickerstaff comes to Detroit after a couple of successful years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, finishing with an above .500 winning percentage in each of the last three seasons while most recently making an appearance in the second round of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“I believe in the people that we have running the show and I believe in the young talent that we have here,” Bickerstaff said. “And then the shrewd moves that we made this offseason to get some veteran players to come along and help lead out young guys … I’m looking forward to it already.”
Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon says he has been busy with his head man building out a very young roster, purposely mixing them with experienced floor spacers like forward Tobias Harris, guard Tim Hardaway Jr., and guard Malik Beasley. Langdon said that Bickerstaff has a history of positive development with young, talented players, and as soon as the two were able to meet and discuss their plan for the future of the team, it was clear to him that Bickerstaff was the correct hire.
“We were looking for someone who has leadership qualities who could help build a culture to help our players reach their full potential,” Langdon said. “We talked to some other coaches who were all capable, but J.B. separated himself and we felt he was the right guy.”
The Pistons head next to participate in the Las Vegas Summer League, which starts July 12 on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
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