J.B. Bickerstaff finished second in NBA Coach of the Year voting, the league announced May 5.

The Detroit Pistons‘ coach was a transformational leader in his first season with the organization, helping the team become the first in league history triple its win total in an 82-game season for a 44-38 finish and first-round exit to the New York Knicks. The franchise won two playoff games, snapping a 13-game postseason losing streak dating to 2008.

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They emerged as one of the top defensive teams in the league, embracing an identity that clicked with fans and delivered their best season in nearly two decades.

“The way we play is his brand of basketball, and his attitude,” Tim Hardaway Jr. said in March. “He’s done an amazing job of giving guys that confidence, giving guys that ability to go out there and compete on both ends of the floor, no matter if you make a mistake here or there or multiple mistakes in a row.

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“As long as you’re competing and moving on to the next play, that’s all he cares about.”

Bickerstaff received 305 total points, including 31 first-place votes. Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, who led them to an Eastern Conference-best 64 wins, won the award with 401 points and 59 first-place votes. Houston Rockets head coach Ike Udoka finished third with 133 total points and seven first-place votes.

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