Following a significant coach firing in the Eastern Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers just had a fortunate break.
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The Los Angeles Lakers are now in the process of selecting a new head coach. The Lakers’ executive leadership has been assessing and interviewing potential candidates for the position after splitting from Darvin Ham last month. Although players like James Borrego, Sam Cassell, and JJ Redick are frequently mentioned as the front-runners for the position, it is obvious that the Lakers shouldn’t make a snap selection. Any day now, more and better head coaching prospects could become available.
And when JB Bickerstaff, the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, was dismissed on Thursday morning, that’s exactly what happened. LeBron James and company are a fantastic fit for the 45-year-old coach.
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Bickerstaff is not just a better fit in Los Angeles than the other players on the Lakers’ short list, but he also has more experience.
Since taking over during the 2019–20 season, Bickerstaff has continuously enhanced the Cavaliers squad. With his leadership, the Cavaliers achieved their best postseason result since LeBron James left in 2018. Especially on defense, Cleveland has outplayed their opponent under Bickerstaff’s tenure. Even though the Cavs started two defensive liabilities in Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland the previous two seasons, they still had one of the strongest defenses in the NBA.
It is possible to duplicate that kind of success in Los Angeles. The Lakers are a defensive-minded team, and Bickerstaff is a coach that prioritizes defense. The Lakers will always be more of a defensive club than an attacking one with Anthony Davis at the center of the defense. Additionally, the Lakers’ perimeter defenders are subpar, but Bickerstaff has proven he can overcome this to create top defenses.
Furthermore, there exists an additional degree of affinity between Bickerstaff and LeBron James. Bernie Bickerstaff, JB’s father, was in the Cavs front office the year LeBron took home the championship. Bickerstaff might be a more desirable option for Los Angeles’ head coaching job as a result.
The Lakers might not find a better player than Bickerstaff if LeBron James is prepared to consider someone other than his podcast co-host JJ Redick.
