Cavs Coach J.B. Bickerstaff Didn’t Mince Words When Criticizing Eagles-Chiefs Finish
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The Philadelphia fan appears to be no fan of referees in any sport.
One of Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s favorite pastimes—aside from leading Cleveland’s recent renaissance—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 contempt for the officiating profession was not limited to basketball.
Bickerstaff is an Eagles fan, despite having been born and raised in Denver and played collegiately for Oregon State and Minnesota. In the aftermath of Philadelphia’s heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, he went back and forth with reporters ahead of Cleveland’s game against the Spurs Monday evening.
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).”
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.