Cleveland Cavaliers head-coach J.B. Bickerstaff will keep his position despite the disappointing 1st round exit in the playoffs.
The Cavaliers succumbed to a swift 4-1 defeat to the New York Knicks after making their first appearance in the playoffs for 5 years (since LeBron James left them).
Head-coach Bickerstaff was heavily criticized for lack of adherent strategy and with the team’s history of spontaneous decisions, it seemed likely the 44-year would find himself without a job.
However, no such thing is to occur as the president of basketball operation Koby Altman has given its backing for Cavs manager.
“End that speculation,” Altman said in a text message to AP. “He’s our head coach and we have a lot of support and respect for the job he’s done.”
The Cavaliers had 51 win in regular season and had the best defense until the Knicks trashed them in the 1st round meeting.
“J.B. has been through this rebuild from the ground up and he’s done a phenomenal job instilling a culture here of accountability and hard work,” Altman added.
“You can’t fluke your way into 51 wins and you can’t fluke your way into the No. 1 defensive rating in the NBA. That’s coaching.”