Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff has a lot to celebrate these days but they do not take away his concern for Minnesota where he has strong ties. The 2026 All-Star Game coach graduated from the University of Minnesota and he is still connected with the community.
That is not the sole reason why he is speaking up against the senseless killings. He believes in humanity and he does not feel like that’s what comes out from some people as Minneapolis communities come out to the streets to protest killing of civilians.
“I have a bunch of friends that still live there and they talk about that it doesn’t feel real,” Bickerstaff said on Sunday.
“People are highly emotional. The answers, I think, are kind of cloudy, the reasons. It’s disappointing to see it get to the point that it’s at. The purpose of all of this stuff that we do and that we’re all in is humanity and to treat each other a certain way.”
The Pistons coach then described the scenes the way he sees it by saying “my heart goes out to people who are losing family members recklessly.”
JB Bickerstaff’s good month
Pistons continue to be a dominant force in the Eastern Conference and the NBA rewarded them by naming Bickerstaff as an All-Star Game coach. This is the first time the 46-year-old coach to get such citation.
J.B. Bickerstaff will officially be a head coach for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/geeHSWfx8v
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 25, 2026
He accomplished it in just his second season with the team which two seasons ago was the worst team in the league and even recorded a 28-game losing streak. He also has a chance to win the Coach of the Year award with this turnaround that is happening with Detroit.
His player Jalen Duren said the league should give it to him already.
Jalen Duren was asked about J.B. Bickerstaff being named an All-Star coach and started the Coach of the Year campaign:
“It’s obvious at this point. They might as well give it to him now because he deserves it. He’s put us in position to be where we are now.” pic.twitter.com/RZE2TX0UIR
— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) January 26, 2026
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