JB Bickerstaff rants about referees after Thunder's 113-107 win over Pistons
In what's become a storyline as the season has progressed, add Detroit Pistons' JB Bickerstaff to the growing list of opposing NBA head coaches with steam coming out of their ears playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the Thunder's 113-107 win over the Pistons, Bickerstaff's postgame interview only lasted one question. He utilized his platform to rant about the officials, crumbled his box score, pounded his fist on the table and stormed off.
Talk about a flair for the dramatic. Being an NBA head coach requires a prerequisite of being theatrical. Bickerstaff flexed those acting chops after a third-quarter meltdown by the Pistons finished with five technical fouls and Cade Cunningham's ejection.
After Isaiah Stewart committed a loose ball foul on Jaylin Williams fighting for a rebound, the Pistons went after the officials for the call. Cunningham was hit with a technical foul. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went to the free-throw line to swish it in.
During the free-throw attempt, Cunningham was hit with another technical foul. That ended his game. Dennis Schroder was also hit with a technical foul. Add two more points to Gilgeous-Alexander's total gifted by the Pistons' frustrations.
All this happened after Bickerstaff was also hit with a technical foul. Egging on the Detroit crowd, fans rained down boos on the officials. Afterward, Crew Chief Brian Forte conducted a pool report to explain the sequence that resulted in three technical free-throw attempts and Cunningham's ejection in a close contest. In short, he said Cunningham's language and Schroder's constant complaints led to their technical fouls.
Bickerstaff didn't care for the explanation.
“I’m extremely proud of the way they continued to compete. I’m disgusted by the way that game was officiated. The level of disrespect was above and beyond," Bickerstaff said. "They have a guy fall down and trip on his own teammate's foot, they review us for a hostile act. They throw an elbow to our chest-neck area, I ask for them to at least take a look at it. Just show us the respect to take a look at it. No one would take a look at it. The disrespect has gone far enough and I’m not going to allow our guys to be treated the way that they were treated tonight. I tried to have a conversation with the official. The official was arguing with Mark, I say his name one time and he screams at me and tells me that’s enough. We understand that we play a style of ball that’s physical, it’s on the edge. I coach my a-- off in a passionate way, I’m into the games. Our players are into the games. We understand that. But we deserve a level of respect because we’re competing our tails off and bringing something positive to this league. We’re growing young players; our young players are competing their tail off. The least that they could do is get the same respect that everybody else in this league gets and get refereed the same way that everybody else in this league gets reffed. Enough is enough. What you saw tonight is disgusting. It was a disgusting display of disrespect toward our guys and what we’re trying to do.”
Add Bickerstaff to the club. Chris Finch, Michael Malone and Joe Mazzulla are other NBA head coaches who brought up the officials after their games against the Thunder.
This became the story of the game. Bickerstaff's rant trended on social media. Such a shame, too. Gilgeous-Alexander's 48 points to lead a depleted Thunder without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins should've been the headliner instead.
JB Bickerstaff not happy with tonight’s officiating
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) March 16, 2025
pic.twitter.com/ERakb1aQcP
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: JB Bickerstaff rants about referees after Thunder's win over Pistons
-
NBA referee explains why Cade Cunningham was ejected in Thunder's 113-107 win over Pistons
NBA referee explains why Cade Cunningham was ejected in Oklahoma City Thunder's 113-107 win over Detroit Pistons.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Photos: Best images from Thunder's 113-107 win over Pistons
The best photos from the Oklahoma City Thunder's 113-107 win over the Detroit Pistons.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Player grades: SGA's 48 points carries short-handed Thunder to 113-107 win over Pistons
Player grades for the Oklahoma City Thunder's 113-107 win over the Detroit Pistons.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Bickerstaff 'disgusted' by techs in Pistons' loss
Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff blasted the officials after the Pistons were called for five technical fouls in the third quarter of a 113-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday, telling ...ESPN - 2h -
Bickerstaff blasts officials after Pistons receive 5 technical fouls in loss to Thunder
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff blasted the officials after Detroit was called for five technical fouls in the third quarter of a 113-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. During ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 48 points and Thunder hold off Pistons 113-107
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons 113-107ABC News - 17h -
Detroit Pistons rally falls short vs Oklahoma City Thunder after Cade Cunningham ejection
Detroit Pistons score: Star Cade Cunningham was T'd up twice in a bizarre 3Q sequence, and the Pistons rallied in the fourth of a loss to the Thunder.Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Pistons' J.B. Bickerstaff goes on fist-slamming rant over officiating: 'What you saw tonight was disgusting'
Bickerstaff could barely contain his anger as he closed his press conferenceCBS Sports - 16h -
Thunder vs. Pistons Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 15
Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
2025 March Madness printable bracket for men's, women's NCAA Tournament
March is upon us, which means it's time to fill out our brackets. Here are printable brackets for the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Revealed: Arsenal & Liverpool want €50m winger, he’s open to transfer this summer
Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs keen on the potential transfer of Lyon wonderkid winger Malick Fofana this summer.Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Duke coach says Cooper Flagg playing in ACC tourney is 'not worth it'
Flagg's sprained ankle looms large for the Blue Devils with March Madness right around the corner. But Jon Scheyer appears to be taking the right approach.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
New York Giants' Paulson Adebo embracing opportunity to be CB1
Paulson Adebo knows the New York Giants brought him in to be their top cornerback and he's fully prepared to embrace that role.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
College hoops live updates: UNC in close one, Arkansas out of SEC tourney
An eventful Thursday started with an ankle injury to Duke star Cooper Kupp. Now, the Tar Heels taking on Wake Forest leads live action. Follow along here.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More in Sports
-
Men's Bracketology: Indiana, Xavier, Boise State must play the waiting game
With two final spots available, the fates of Indiana, Xavier and Boise State rest in the hands of the American and A-10 title games. Watch the men's bracket reveal starting at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.ESPN - 14m -
2025 March Madness: Conference tournament scores, automatic bids, tickets punched to Big Dance, brackets
With Selection Sunday here, check out the the teams who have earned AQ bids to the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 17m -
The wait is over: Newcastle beat Liverpool to end 70-year domestic trophy drought
Newcastle United have won the Carabao Cup, their first major trophy in over half a century, beating Liverpool at the end of a woeful week for the Reds.ESPN - 20m -
'That makes our one and two even better': Can the Kyle Kuzma trade maximize Giannis, Dame and the Bucks?
Milwaukee parted ways with a franchise cornerstone to acquire Kyle Kuzma, a below-the-radar trade that the Bucks believe can rekindle vibes of their 2021 title run.ESPN - 20m -
Hanshin Tigers sweep Cubs, Dodgers in shutouts
The Hanshin Tigers capped a two-game sweep over MLB clubs with a 3-0 win over the Dodgers, following a matching victory over the Cubs the day before.ESPN - 22m