Rockets' Stephen Silas Wishes J.B. Bickerstaff Luck Following Post-Season Berth

Following a win over the Houston Rockets, the Cavaliers clinched the post-season for the first time since 2018, and coach Stephen Silas wished J.B. Bickerstaff luck for the accomplishment.

Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas stood on the sidelines of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Sunday night in defeat. The Rockets had dropped their fifth consecutive game in a 108-91 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

By defeating the Rockets, the Cavaliers clinched the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Silas congratulated Cavaliers' coach J.B. Bickerstaff for his latest accomplishment while wishing his good friend luck ahead of the post-season. 

"I told him good luck in the playoffs because they have a chance to really do something special," Silas said. "I am proud of him and happy for him. I am happy that he is in a position to have a chance to win." 

The Cavaliers' post-season run in 2023 will mark Bickerstaff's second appearance as head coach. Bickerstaff's first came in 2016 when he served as the interim coach for the Rockets following Kevin McHale's departure in 2016.

Following a short stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, Bickerstaff became the coach of the Cavaliers at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

And after a few rough seasons, Bickerstaff is "appreciative" to have had a chance to reap the benefits of guiding Cleveland through a rigid rebuild. It's an honor Bickerstaff understands not too many coaches have the opportunity to fulfill.

"I am indebted to this organization for them to have the patience and giving us the tools to get there," Bickerstaff said. "When we first got here, we were in the rebuild, or whatever you want to call it. The organization could have scaled back on the things that made them a champion. We never did that.

"I've been let go multiple times. Sometimes, you do everything they ask you to do, and you can still be let go."

Silas is happy for his coaching mate and hopes to replicate Bickerstaff's success in Houston. But with seven games left in the 2022-23 campaign, Silas' future remains bleak, given the Rockets are on the trajectory to finish with the league's worst record for the third consecutive season.

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