J.B. Bickerstaff Has Confidence In The Cavs, Despite Lack Of Playoff Experience

J.B. Bickerstaff should be confident in his Cleveland Cavaliers team because they have an underrated veteran core.

© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest critiques of the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the entire season has been their lack of experience whether that be in close games or with the impending playoffs. Unfortunately, this isn't something you can get without just playing in them. 

Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Ricky Rubio, and Cedi Osman are the only players in the current rotation that have experience playing in a full best-of-seven-game playoff series.

That leaves Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Lamar Stevens, and Dean Wade playing in their first postseason games as the Cavs prepare for the New York Knicks in round one. 

This lack of experience may worry some coaches, but not J.B. Bickerstaff who had this to say about 

“I’m confident in our group, period. I believe when we’re at our best, we’re a tough out for anybody. We need to make sure we’re aware and tighten up the details and our execution and all those things. And, again, it’s going to be a new test for us. We have guys that are going to be in their first playoff series. So it’s never going to come easy, but I have a lot of confidence in our group.”

Bickerstaff has a good reason to have faith in his reason because there is a solid veteran core on this team that may go overlooked by some.

Danny Green is a three-time NBA champion, Roblin Lopez has played in eight different series, Ricky Rubio has played in 16 postseason games over his 11-year career, and Mitchell hasn't missed the playoffs in now his first six seasons in the NBA. 

Not all of these players may be in the postseason rotation, but they still can make their presence felt on the bench and in the locker room leading this team to where they want to go. 

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