Cavs Coach J.B. Bickerstaff Didn’t Mince Words When Criticizing Eagles-Chiefs Finish

The Philadelphia fan believes the Eagles lost on a bogus penalty.

One of Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s favorite pastimes—aside from leading Cleveland’s recent renaissance—apparently is yelling at referees.

For instance, during the team’s 115–114 loss to the Grizzlies on Jan. 18, an official asked Bickerstaff to stop yelling. He replied, “Every time I see you I’m gonna yell at you.”

Monday afternoon, Bickerstaff demonstrated that his interest in the officiating profession was not limited to basketball.

Bickerstaff is an Eagles fan, despite having been born and raised in Denver and playing collegiately for Oregon State and Minnesota. In the aftermath of Philadelphia’s heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, he playfully spoke back and forth with reporters about the Big Game ahead of Cleveland’s game against the Spurs on Monday evening.

Alright, I gave it a day to be nice, but this cut of #Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff reacting to any mention of the Super Bowl/Philadelphia Eagles before yesterday’s game is too funny 😆 @basketbllnews pic.twitter.com/fA4S2c95ns

— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) February 14, 2023

Noting that the rules governing what NBA coaches can say about referees do not apply to other sports, Bickerstaff said he “can kill (NFL referees)” with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

To be clear, Bickerstaff isn’t threatening anyone. He’s merely talking about verbal jousting.

Given the nature of the Eagles’ 38–35 defeat, the controversial holding call on cornerback James Bradberry that helped precipitate it and the reputation of Philadelphia fans as a group, Bickerstaff's reaction probably falls on the subdued side.