J.B. Bickerstaff should be in the running for Coach of the Year (even though Kenny Atkinson is deservedly a lock.) Since taking over as head coach last summer, he’s helped transform the Detroit Pistons. Sure, some new additions helped build a roster that suited Cade Cunningham’s skill set, but it was Bickerstaff who got everyone on the same page and pulling in the same direction.
The Boston Celtics were the latest team to succumb to Detroit’s eight-game win streak. Jaylen Brown and Luke Kornet were both on the sidelines, leading to some disjointed rotations when Jayson Tatum was off the floor.
Without Brown and Kornet providing reliable links in the rotation, additional pressure was placed on Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, with Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta sliding into bigger roles.
Here are my notes and observations from the Pistons loss.
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