J.B. Bickerstaff | Cavs vs Wolves Post Game | 3.8.2024

J.B. Bickerstaff | Cavs vs Wolves Post Game | 3.8.2024

What has he been able to do on both ends of the ball for you guys especially with all the injuries you have uh I mean he’s he’s just been consistently dominant um you know we’ve been saying this since before the All-Star Break um where we thought he was deserving to be an

All-Star because I can’t tell you bigs that are playing better than Jared Allen um you know he’s just been phenomenal and it’s a you know Testament to him as a human being as a basketball player like to just want to do more to help the

Team win uh and that’s who J is coach also George nang’s just in his third start and played 35 minutes tonight and he’s been the vocal leader now with Donovan being out what has he added both on the court and as a vocal leader for

You guys uh I mean he he brings a toughness in a grit um you know he is extremely versatile on both ends of the floor uh obviously he has the experience uh he’s never afraid of the moment um you know he obviously has the ability to make shots which you know Forces teams

To play defensively a little different how they have to spread their defense um but you know he’s just a tough guy he’s just a winner uh and whatever he needs to do he just goes out and makes the play to help us win darl didn’t look like Darius was going

To let you lose this one tonight and just talk about it yeah uh I mean he he he willed us um you know and I was so happy to see you know fourth quarter overtime uh ball in his hands and he makes plays uh and he made play play

Whether it was scoring whether it was facilitating um he took the game over you know he made plays to Jarrett and you know defensively he switched uh kept guys in front of him was physical and that end to uh you know so the game was

In his hands uh and we were going to live and die with it it mean you guys to beat the top teams in both conferences of Boston earlier this week and then you take Minnesota down tonight what can they do for you I mean again it just you

Know shows who we are and what we’re capable of um you know I know you guys get tired of hearing me say it but it’s a testament to the guys that are in that locker room um you know their character their Spirit uh their connectedness um

The way they love to compete together uh the way they refuse to just let each other down um you know it’s a special group in that locker room Jackson uh Jackson flicking D down ID um Darius had a a season high in 26 Bill goal attempts

Why is it so important for him to be that aggressive uh because defenses have to you know gravitate to him um and typically it’s not one guy who can stay in front of him uh and he’s an elite passer so now once you decide to put two

Guys on him uh he’s capable of making the next play um and again I think you saw tonight was a you know clear example of that and also the different ways that he can make shots um you know obviously he took 10 threes tonight but he made

Shots at all levels he got to the rim uh he made his little floaters you know those types of things so defenses are always guessing they can’t anticipate what he’s going to do he’s had some he struggled some sense he also start break finishing in the paint what does it mean

To have a game like this against an opponent like the TOs again we know what Darius is capable of and we believe in Darius wholeheartedly um and in the NBA guys go through you know ups and downs uh but the great ones figure out a way

To come out and he puts the time in he works his tail off um you know his teammates believe in him support him trust him uh and we know he’s going to make the plays when we need him Jeff you know you talk about Isaac Carl all the

Time but how about the defense tonight on on Edwards he’s the best perimeter defender in the league hands down and he doesn’t get enough credit for it because it’s defense and people don’t think you know it’s sexy but there is no one in the league that can do the things Isaac

Aoro can do on the defensive end of the floor um there is no other player in the NBA who can keep his man in front of him uh and force people into tough shots the way that Isaac aoro can there is no other player in in the NBA who can get

Through screens and get back in front of his man uh so that we don’t have to help and he can play one-on-one defense the way that Isaac a Coro can down JB um Jared sometimes struggled at times the r to open the game but he still finishes the night with 33 and 18

But what really pops out is the fact that he had 21 free throw time so are you just impressed with how physical and Domin sure wasn’t tonight yeah he was forceful uh and he left them no choice um you know he he you know obviously missed some of the shots that he

Typically makes um but sometimes he found his way to get him back you know and go back to the rim and he didn’t stop going he didn’t let the contact deter him um from getting to the basket and doing his job and you know when you play with that assertiveness that

Aggressiveness uh teams have tough decisions to make and you know you’re you’re not going to be able to stop him from getting to his spot uh and finishing the way that he does um so he kept going kept being forceful um and they fou him a ton and all you guys have

Been missing players Jared has consistently stepped up and just bringing that Lev has that just been a bit of a Saving Grace for you as a coach just KN you have a guy in your corner who always just going to bring it to the next level when you guys are kind of up

The greatest talent in the NBA is dependability and Jared Allen is Dependable um for a coach to you know wake up in the morning and know that you’ve got Jared Allen on your team um eases your soul uh because you know every single night he’s going to go out

And give you everything he has uh and that’s enough to help you win anything

Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke with the media following a 113-104 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 8, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.