King James Gospel
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Historically speaking, where are the Cavaliers headed?

By John Suchan

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 15: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball down the court during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 15: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball down the court during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images) /
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Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff (left) talks with Cleveland wing Isaac Okoro in-game. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /

Examining the coaching element for the Cavs

With these other teams of the past the Cavaliers either had a strong head coach/staff, great players or both. This current team has a head coach in J.B. Bickerstaff, who seems to be respected by his players, but is it enough?

His record as the Cavs head coach is 26-52. That’s a lot of losing.

With past Cleveland head coaches like Fitch and Wilkens, they didn’t win a ton at the beginning, but they didn’t have a record like Bickerstaff does now. I think it’s great Bickerstaff can communicate with his players, but at some point, that communicating has to transition to wins and that isn’t happening.

So let’s say the Cavaliers keep Bickerstaff around for next season; they have to win or the Cavs franchise has to look at the long term effect of this losing mentality.

If you want to see what type of effect the head coach has on a team, the Cavaliers don’t have to look very far. Exhibit A is just down the street in Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.

The Browns had been awful for years. Prior to Stefanski’s arrival, the Browns head coach was Freddie Kitchens. With nearly the same players on the team, Kitchens was lousy as a head coach and the Browns were a sub-.500 team. With Stefanski in charge, the Browns ended up advancing to the Divisional Round this past season and now appear poised for an even deeper run next season.

Players have to buy into the what the head coach is trying to sell. I think Bickerstaff probably is doing and saying many things that are positive for his team, but in the end they are still losing a lot.