Cavs: 3 takeaways from J.B. Bickerstaff recent conversations with media
By Dan Gilinsky
Takeaway #2 from Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s recent media availability: The NBA is helping prevent racial injustice
What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis was indefensible, and we all know that. That can’t happen; nor could what happened to Breonna Taylor near Louisville.
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These sort of instances of racial injustice and police brutality against people of color are disgusting and untenable, and there’s no other way to put it.
I feel for their families in the worst way, and going forward, our country needs to take action to prevent such situations from arising in the future. That can’t be overstated.
On a positive note, somewhat at least, it’s been outstanding to hear that Bickerstaff is helping do his part, along with the NBA and National Basketball Coaches Association as a whole (NBCA) to prevent situations like those from occurring in NBA cities and hopefully, elsewhere.
He has since taken on a leadership role alongside other current NBA head coaches and former ones on a NBCA racial injustice committee, which has been amazing to see with Bickerstaff’s platform in being able to aid in his community.
Bickerstaff touched on how the importance of stamping out situations involving police brutality and racial injustice in NBA cities/around the country with Wojnarowski/Borrego, and in media availability via teleconference call on Tuesday, too.
This set of tweets involving quotes with that sort of action/being proactive instead of reactive from him stuck with me, as was h/t The Associated Press‘ Tom Withers.
Bickerstaff working with other NBA coaches on racial equality, social issues. Looking at "prevention" instead of reaction.#Cavs
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) June 9, 2020
Bickerstaff has become friends with #Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and is working with him and others on making impact in community. ""We're done making statements. It's time to be part of the action."#Cavs
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) June 9, 2020
While what transpired involving Floyd and Taylor are situations that are impossible for me to understand, and are simply unimaginable, it’s comforting to know that Bickerstaff/the Cavaliers, along with the NBA, are looking to be at the forefront of taking action, and again not reaction.
It’s also a positive to know that Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski/the team/hopefully the NFL is helping in that realm as well.
That’s what a step forward entails, and it’s evident, based on this sort of thing from Bickerstaff/his comments, that he’s quite the leader both on and off the floor.
Lastly, the third takeaway from Bickerstaff’s recent media conversations had to do with Garland’s further progression and a bit on the 2020 NBA Draft, seemingly.