Cavaliers defend rookie coach John Beilein amid skid

Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson battled Orlando’s big men and n defended his rookie coach. At least some of Cavaliers have John Beilein’s back. Following a 93-87 loss to Magic — Cleveland’s 11th loss in 12 games — Thompson said he was disappointed to learn that some of his teammates had anymously criticized Beilein, former Michigan coach hired by Cavs to develop ir young roster during a massive rebuild.

Thompson said he was unaware of report by Athletic, which didn’t identify three players who said y were unhappy because Beilein is treating m like y’re still in college and that y’ve tuned out 66-year-old coach. “It’s t fair,” said Thompson, who grew more agitated more he learned about report.

“I love coach Beilein,” Thompson said. “He’s great for development and he understands that players have so much in m and he wants to get best out of you. ... I’m thinking guy is pretty good. I’m probably smartest guy in this locker room, so if I think I kw what guy is doing n we shouldn’t hear thing else — to be honest.

Before Friday’s game, Beilein was put in an awkward situation by having to address report, which seemed to come out of where as many of players have been publicly effusive in praising coach who has already lost more games with Cavs than he did in his final two years with Wolverines.

Beilein ackwledged he’s continuing to grow in his first stint as a pro coach, and he believes he has his players’ undivided attention. He said feedback he’s received in meetings has been positive. “We had more than one of m — two, three, four we’ve met — and it’s like, ‘Coach, keep doing what you’re doing because we really need this. We need accountability, we need to play harder, stronger, tougher. Don’t stop what you’re doing,’” Beilein said.

Beilein understands that players may feel frustrated. It’s different than he experienced while coaching at Canisius or West Virginia, and it’s t going to change him. “Here’s what happens: You’re a coach all se years,” he said. “ leading scorer wants to score more. guy that’s t leading scorer wants to be leading scorer. guy that’s a starter wants to get more shots. guy that’s t starting wants to start, and guy that’s t playing wants to get in rotation.

“So that’s part of game and that’s part of coaching. , it’s t frustrating — it’s what I signed up for a long time ago and it’s what I signed up here.” Forward Larry Nance Jr. said Beilein has been an ideal coach for Cavs’ youngsters. Like Thompson, he felt criticism was unwarranted, and fact that players didn’t put ir names on comments was disappointing.

“Ideally you want to keep that in house,” he said. ”I guess that’s today’s NBA,. Am I worried about it? . My job doesn’t change. I’m going to play as hard as I can for as long as I can and try to get us to win. I’ve never had an issue with a coach in my career, him being different. I wanted to play for him at Michigan, to be honest with you. I’m enjoying it.”

report also quoted players saying y are turning more to top assistant J.B. Bickerstaff than Beilein. Thompson said that’s been case with every coach he’s played for. assistant is more accessible simply because he doesn’t have as many responsibilities as head coach. And as for players hiding in secrecy, Thompson said that has to stop.

“If you’re going to build a culture and a family, you can’t have that chatty Patty (stuff) going on,” he said. “That (stuff) is whack to me. Everyone has got to look in mirror. re’s only so much coach can do and re’s only so much we can do. Do we have best roster in NBA? . But we’re going to go out re and compete every night. But guys got to look in mirror.”