J.B. Bickerstaff enters the 23-24 season reportedly under pressure to guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to an improved offense to match their defense this coming season. The Cavaliers feature a pair of bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who both need to play near the basket currently, which has hurt their spacing.
“I think that J.B. Bickerstaff is under a measure of pressure after the way that team played in the playoffs,” said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. “And the way they were outmaneuvered. Thibs just did a better job with their lineups. He just did.
“Some of the Cavs went down their leg. Jarrett Allen basically admitted to it.
“They didn’t show up in that series for the most part,” interjected Tim Bontemps.
“I think J.B. Bickerstaff is under a measure of pressure. He’s delivered a terrific defensive game plan for several years now. He has turned them into an elite defensive team. That’s why they won 50 games. He’s under some pressure to deliver an offensive system that takes advantage of Evan Mobley and finds a way to alleviate the concerns you brought up. Finds a way to play their best defensive lineup on offense.”
The potential upside for Mobley on offense is when he has the ball in his hands, but that is difficult considering he plays with a pair of ball dominant guards in Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.