Coach J.B. Bickerstaff faces his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the Eastern Conference semifinals with the Detroit Pistons. He emphasizes the importance of the process over results as he prepares for a challenging series.
Key points
J.B. Bickerstaff faces his former team in the playoffs
He coached the Cavaliers for five years before being dismissed
Bickerstaff emphasizes the importance of the process over results
The series is expected to be long and physically demanding
Kenny Atkinson is the current coach of the Cavaliers
Mentioned in this story
J.B. BickerstaffKenny Atkinson
Detroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers
Detroit — It is uncommon for a coach to have the chance to face their former team and players in the playoffs. For coach J.B. Bickerstaff, however, this situation has become a reality.
The Cavaliers have several players who Bickerstaff once helped develop, and they have continued to reach new heights under the guidance of coach Kenny Atkinson. While he will lean upon his knowledge to lead the Pistons, his most important attribute during the second-round series against the Cavaliers will extend beyond the X's and O's of the game.
"I spent a lot of time with those guys," Bickerstaff said. "It’s not going to be easy for either one of us, right? (Cleveland is a) really good basketball team. This isn’t going to be an easy series. It’s going to be a long series. It’s going to be exhausting. It’s going to pull the most out of you and test your mettle, see how far you’re willing to go physically and mentally. That’s what our guys love."
Not becoming overly caught up in results is the most important attribute Bickerstaff will rely on while applying the lessons learned from Cleveland during the second-round series as coach of the Pistons. It stemmed from one of the main reasons he felt his tenure in Cleveland ended abruptly, especially given the expectations placed on his team entering the 2023-24 season.
In that year, the Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals. However, due to high expectations for greater success, Bickerstaff felt he began to lose focus on the essential qualities that make a good coach as he became overly focused on win totals.
As a result, the Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 48-34 record, winning three fewer games than the year prior (51-31). Following their elimination at the hands of the , Bickerstaff was relieved of his duties .
Q&A
What is the significance of J.B. Bickerstaff coaching against the Cavaliers?
This matchup is significant for Bickerstaff as he previously coached the Cavaliers for five years before being dismissed in May 2024.
How did Bickerstaff's previous experience with the Cavaliers influence his coaching strategy?
Bickerstaff plans to apply lessons learned from his time in Cleveland while focusing on the process rather than the results during the series.
What challenges does Bickerstaff anticipate in the series against the Cavaliers?
Bickerstaff expects the series to be long and exhausting, testing both teams' physical and mental limits.
Who is the current coach of the Cavaliers and how has the team performed under him?
The current coach of the Cavaliers is Kenny Atkinson, and the team has continued to excel under his guidance.
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Remaining focused on the process rather than the results has driven the Pistons' success under his leadership and enabled them to gain early control of the series after their Game 1 victory Tuesday night.
"The last year I was in Cleveland, because of the expectations, because of the feeling that you had to overachieve in that job all the time, you started to count wins and got away from the processes that would help you get there," Bickerstaff told The Detroit News in December. "That team and that staff did a good job of dealing with all the things we dealt with to get to the second round, because of the result of which I was let go. It came to my mind and stuck with me that the results do not matter, but the process does."
Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff hugs center Jalen Duren in the final moments of the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the first-round playoff series between the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic, at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, May 3, 2026.
Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff hugs center Jalen Duren in the final moments of the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the first-round playoff series between the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic, at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, May 3, 2026.
Due to his experience in Cleveland, the Pistons have done an excellent job of staying present in the moment, regardless of the situation. It is part of staying process-driven, a perspective Bickerstaff has kept throughout the ups and downs of the season, which has greatly contributed to the Pistons' success.
Being process-driven allowed Bickerstaff to also focus on several key qualities essential for building a successful franchise that can thrive in the long term — from fostering strong relationships, maintaining open communication and positioning his players for success within the strategies and tactics of basketball.
"Building a relationship with J.B., playing under him for a year, being able to have conversations with him, him being vocal has been great," Jalen Duren told The Detroit News.
"He is a great coach. He is a good person. He has a great heart. You can tell in the way he coaches and the passion with which he coaches; someone like that is easy to follow. Someone who has the passion. The care and the love for his players; it's huge. For me to be the best I can be on and off the court, I want to take as much wisdom and knowledge from him."
Bickerstaff says there is no additional motivation when facing his former team. As the top overall seed, his main goal is to help the Pistons avoid being eliminated by a fourth-seeded team, regardless of who the opponent is.
However, sending the Cavaliers home would be a significant moment for Bickerstaff; however, his greater joy would come from helping the Pistons reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2008, showcasing how they have established themselves as contenders under his stewardship.
"What a year he had. What a year the team had. Coach of the Year," Atkinson said. "Heck of a coach. We relish these challenges. Whether it’s Steve Kerr, Rick Carlisle, J.B. Bickerstaff. These guys are the elite in their business. Just like the players, it’s a challenge. So excited."
NBA Playoffs, second round: No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 4 Cavaliers
