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[Jolly Sports News] The Cleveland Cavaliers might not be holding back their feelings about their former coach.
On Wednesday, the Cavs secured a statement win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a possible Finals preview, snapping OKC’s 15-game winning streak with a 129-122 victory. The win extended Cleveland’s own streak to 11 games, further cementing their dominance this season.
After the game, current Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson made a noteworthy comment to reporters.
“The players said in the locker room that we wouldn’t win this game last year,” Atkinson shared, according to Cavs writer Evan Dammarell. “That says a lot about their growth and maturity.”
While Atkinson’s statement highlights the team’s progression, it also feels like a subtle dig at former coach JB Bickerstaff.
The observation is particularly striking considering that all 10 players who contributed in Wednesday’s win—Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Ty Jerome, Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, and Georges Niang—were already on the roster last season under Bickerstaff.
Bickerstaff, who coached Cleveland for over four seasons, had a middling record of 170-159 (.517) and managed just one playoff series win during his tenure.
His time with the Cavs was also marked by a lack of offensive creativity and rumors of tension with star player Donovan Mitchell.
Since taking over, Atkinson has unlocked the Cavs’ potential, leading them to a league-best 32-4 record this season. Under his guidance, Cleveland has surged from 17th in offensive efficiency last year to No. 1 while maintaining their No. 6 defensive efficiency ranking.
Meanwhile, Bickerstaff has found a fresh start with the Detroit Pistons. Through 37 games this season, he has already guided the Pistons to 19 wins—five more than their total from all of last year. For now, it seems both parties have thrived post-separation, though Atkinson’s comments may add some spice to the narrative.
