Cleveland, OH
Video: Marcus Morris Says He Saw 'Disconnect' in Cavs Locker Room Under Bickerstaff
David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Veteran NBA forward Marcus Morris suggested Friday that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ decision to fire head coach J.B. Bickerstaff this week may have been a necessary one.
During an appearance on Run It Back, Morris was asked if he saw any disconnect between Bickerstaff and the players after joining the team late in the season. Morris responded affirmatively:
Run It Back @RunItBackFDTV
.<a href=”https://twitter.com/ChandlerParsons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ChandlerParsons</a>: “Did you see any situation where there was a disconnect in the locker room?”<a href=”https://twitter.com/MookMorris2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@MookMorris2</a>: “Honestly yeah, I kind of seen it, sorry to say it…I think [J. B. Bickerstaff’s] time just ran out.” <a href=”https://t.co/SH1f85DxsQ”>pic.twitter.com/SH1f85DxsQ</a>
“Honestly yeah, I kind of seen it,” Morris said. “Sorry to say it. He’s been around there for a while. Sometimes time is just a little bit too long. I think he had the locker room. I think his time just ran out. Good dude on and off the court.”
With his firing, Bickerstaff’s five-year tenure as head coach of the Cavs came to an end. He posted a 170-159 regular-season record in Cleveland, reaching the playoffs twice and winning one playoff series.
Morris, 34, is a well-traveled NBA veteran, having played for eight different teams over the course of his 13-year career.
The Cavs signed Morris in March, and he went on to appear in 12 regular-season games, averaging 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per contest. He also averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in nine postseason games.
Cleveland was among the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season, finishing as the No. 4 seed with a 48-34 record.
The Cavs beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the top-seeded Boston Celtics 4-1 in the second round.
Compared to the Cavaliers’ recent history, it was a successful season for them, as they won their first playoff series since 2018. They also won their first playoff series without LeBron James on the roster since 1993.
Cleveland has a ton of talent under contract next season, including Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert and Max Strus.
There is a window of opportunity for them to go on a deep playoff run and potentially vie for a championship, which may be why the decision was made to part ways with Bickerstaff and get a new voice in the locker room.
Also, the Cavaliers are facing a huge offseason since Mitchell can become a free agent after the 2024-25 campaign if he does not sign an extension.
Mitchell is a five-time All-Star and the Cavaliers’ best player, so it seems likely that Mitchell’s preferences were considered when making a coaching change.
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said Friday on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast that while Mitchell didn’t ask for Bickerstaff to be fired, the Cavs believe their chances of re-signing Mitchell have “increased” thanks to the move.