Lakers draft Bronny James to form NBA’s first father-son duo
USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the historic move by the Los Angeles Lakers, drafting Bronny James to form the leagues first father-son duo.
The Detroit Pistons made a surprise move Sunday, about seven hours before the start of NBA free agency when news broke they were hiring J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach on a five-year deal.
Bickerstaff last season led the Cavaliers to their first playoff win without LeBron James on the team since 1993, but was still fired in May with the Cavs citing a need for a fresh voice and different ideas. Bickerstaff went 170-159 in four-plus seasons in Cleveland (.517 win percentage), after taking over as interim coach near the end of the 2019-20 season.
The Cavs had a solid defensive foundation, ranking seventh in defensive efficiency this season despite numerous injuries to starters, and a diminutive backcourt in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
READ MORE: Pistons mailbag: Who are top free-agent targets? An extension for Cade Cunningham?
Here’s a sampling of reaction to the Pistons hiring of Bickerstaff, who becomes their third head coach in three years, replacing the fired Monty Williams after one historically bad 14-68 season: