Cavs’ JB Bickerstaff thinks Brooklyn Nets ‘recollected’ well after trade deadline
NEW YORK — Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff has done a wonderful job leading his Cavs to a 46-28 record and the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. He has done a lot to turn the program around after a down period following LeBron James’ departure for the Los Angeles Lakers. With that being said, Bickerstaff took a moment before Tuesday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets to reflect on how the Nets have been since the trade deadline has passed.
“I think they did a great job,” Bickerstaff said when asked what he thinks of what Brooklyn was able to do post-deadline. The notable moves during the deadline were trading Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and draft picks while also trading Kevin Durant and TJ Warren to the Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and draft picks. “A lot of times when you make the deals that they (Nets) made in the middle of the season, it can be really difficult,” Bickerstaff continued.
The era following the Durant and Irving trades has not been pleasant, but the team has reasons to be optimistic. Forward Mikal Bridges is looking like a future All-Star while guys like center Nic Claxton and forward Cam Johnson are coming into their own. However, the team is less able to win games than it used to be thanks to the superstar trades. Since Feb. 11, when the full roster was available, the Nets are 6-11 while being 27th in the NBA in offensive rating (110.7) and just 19th in defensive rating (115.6).
Despite the recent losing, it looks like coaches around the league, like Bickerstaff, are taking notice of Brooklyn and what they’re building. It will just take time for the best form of the Nets to take form.
