2013 NBA

Independence, OH

Bernie Bickerstaff, the 1986-87 NBA Coach of the Year, will bring 40 years of NBA experience to Mike Brown's staff with the Cleveland Cavaliers as assistant coach.

He began his NBA coaching career back in 1973 with the Washington Bullets as the league's youngest assistant coach at age 29. He served in that capacity until 1985, helping guide the Bullets to the 1978 NBA Championship, three NBA Finals appearances and 10 playoff berths.

Bickerstaff received his first NBA head coaching opportunity with the Seattle Supersonics in 1985.

He led the Supersonics to three playoff appearances over five seasons, which included a trip to the 1987 Conference Finals that earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award.

Bickerstaff's NBA head coaching record spans over 13 seasons with the Sonics, Denver Nuggets in 1994-96, Washington Wizards in 1996-97 and the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004-07.

He was also the Los Angeles Lakers interim head coach after Brown, a fellow Univeristy of San Diego alumnus, was fired early last season.

His experience includes serving as president and general manager of the Denver Nuggets in 1990-94 and as concurrent general manager while he coached the Charlotte Bobcats.

Bickerstaff was aslo as assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2010-12 and the Chicago Bulls in 2008-10.

With the addition of former San Antonio video coordinator Bret Brielmaier, Brown's staff now stands at seven, including Bikerstaff, holdover Jamahl Mosley, newcomers Jim Boylan, Igor Kokoskov and Phil Handy and former Cav Vitaly Potapenko.

Handy will be the director of player development and assistant coach, while Potapenko is the development coach. Handy, Potapenko and Brielmaier will not sit on the bench during games.

 

 

 

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Bernie Bickerstaff joins Cavs as assistant coach