Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gave one in every of his gamers an enormous reward for his efficiency towards the Milwaukee Bucks.
Heading into the final recreation of the season, the Detroit Pistons didn’t have a lot to play for and gave lots of their rotation gamers some minutes.
They endured a 140-133 loss in additional time, however there have been lots of positives from the sport as effectively.
Malik Beasley, who had a fallout with Giannis Antetokounmpo of their earlier recreation led the scorers with 23 factors off the bench, whereas Marcus Sasser added 18 factors and 10 rebounds.
Lindy Waters III additionally scored 15 factors within the recreation in 35 minutes of motion and it was his efficiency within the recreation that led to Bickerstaff praising him within the postgame press convention.
Waters III moved to the Pistons as a part of the five-team commerce for Jimmy Butler.
He has since not been in a position to lodge lots of minutes, however Bickerstaff revealed he is likely one of the hardest working gamers.
Talking about Waters, the Pistons coach stated: “Lindy is likely one of the hardest working guys that I’ve been round.
“Have a look at his background, his story of how resilient he’s been to get right here. The best way that he needed to climb each single day, each step of the best way and also you see a man who deserves it.”
The 27-year-old is a G-League champion and is a good asset on the small ahead place.
Nevertheless, the Pistons are stacked in that place and Bickerstaff said that was one of many causes he was getting decreased minutes.
“Sadly, we don’t have lots of minutes at that spot, however he works his tail off each single day. He’s an NBA rotational participant and he’s gonna be ready trigger there’s gonna come a time after we want him and he’ll be ready prepared to assist us,” he said.
Beneath Bickerstaff’s steering, the Pistons managed to make their first playoff look for the reason that 2018-2019 season.
They’ve additionally gone from a crew that had the bottom file within the league final season, to a playoff facet within the matter of just below a 12 months.
However this isn’t the primary time, Bickerstaff has reworked the fortunes of the crew.
He was the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers for 4 years earlier than being assigned the Pistons job.
Bickerstaff coached the likes of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, each of whom are key to the Cavs’ roster.
Pistons are a younger facet, however the physicality they’ve displayed has been particular to observe.
They play with out worry and go at opponents, which is what’s going to make their collection towards the New York Knicks an attention-grabbing one to observe.
Bickerstaff failed to hold his common season type into the playoffs when he was with the Cavs, however the Pistons have gamers so much totally different from those he had with the Cavs.
They’re younger and gifted, but in addition don’t have any worry for his or her opponents after they play basketball.
The coach has helped convey again Detroit tradition again to the crew, which is what they’d been lacking and now that they’re again, it’ll be robust to comprise them because the younger gamers they’ve are particular and can be round for some time.
