Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff was arguably snubbed of the Coach of the Year award last season, but is on track to avenge that loss in the 2026 awards ballot. Without major offseason upgrades, the Pistons have taken a huge jump in the standings thanks to internal growth and Bickerstaff's excellent coaching. They've been one of the NBA's most surprising success stories and that should get JB lots of love from awards voters.
JB Bickerstaff is proving himself as a top-tier coach
Bickerstaff's COTY case last season rested on his role in orchestrating a historic turnaround for the Pistons. They went from 14 wins in the prior season to 44, one of the all-time best improvements in a single season. But they still finished with a pretty average record and the 6th seed in the East, which allowed Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson to win the award.
Now, the Pistons have taken the next leap faster than anyone expected. It's a testament to Bickerstaff's completeness as a coach that he was able to make a terrible team average, and now make that average team great. And the most impressive part is how the Pistons did it without a stellar offseason. Their new additions have been solid, but it's clear that the homegrown players and head coach are driving the Pistons' success.
The most important aspect of the Pistons' play has been defense. They are in the top 5 across the league in defensive rating and protecting the paint at an elite level. That elite defense has allowed them to maintain their hold on the East's top seed over a quarter of the way into the season.
Strong defense also gives the Pistons a strong floor to remain competitive against any opponent. Even if they falter in the later parts of the season, they are unlikely to drop out of the top three in the East because of their constant effort on defense. The Pistons do have naturally skilled defenders, but it's taken great coaching to get them clicking on every single play.
Bickerstaff has also displayed his skills as an offensive coach this season. He's implemented creative counters to offset the Pistons' lack of shooting and put his players in the best positions to succeed. Even when teams do seemingly figure out how to stop the Pistons, JB and his staff quickly draw up new ways to beat that defensive strategy.
The Pistons' excellent start has JB Bickerstaff in pole position for the Coach of the Year award. Although the Thunder's historic pace or the Celtics' shorthanded success may generate some buzz for other coaches, it's Bickerstaff's prize to lose at this point.