MEMPHIS – At one stage years ago, a completely different path was strongly considered.
“When you’re young and trying to figure things out, you kind of want to go your own way,” J.B. Bickerstaff said of when his career goals shifted. “There was some thought of going to medical school and being a doctor. But that changed. And by high school, I knew I wanted to be a coach. I knew coaching basketball was for me.”
Bickerstaff now pushes forward in his first season as a fulltime NBA head coach. His first home opener comes Friday, when the Grizzlies look to regroup from a disappointing season debut in Wednesday’s 111-83 loss at Indiana.