DETROIT – J.B. Bickerstaff’s voice grew louder as he pounded the table in the Little Caesars Arena media room.
His team had [just lost at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder](https://www.mlive.com/sports/2025/03/cade-cunningham-ejected-as-pistons-fall-to-thunder.html), and the first-year Detroit Pistons coach didn’t hold back in his criticism of the officiating in the game.
“What you saw tonight is disgusting,” Bickerstaff said. “It was a disgusting display of disrespect toward our guys and what they’re trying to do.”
The Pistons were whistled for five technical fouls, including two on star Cade Cunningham, who was ejected for the second time in his career.
Three of those technical fouls, including both of Cunningham’s, came during the same stoppage with 47 seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Thunder a five-free-throw possession that eventually gave them a 15-point lead that the Pistons could never overcome.
https://x.com/RyanFieldABC/status/1901091482636788020
Bickerstaff, Dennis Schroder and Ausar Thompson were also issued technical fouls. All appeared to be for directing comments toward officials.
“I’m disgusted by the way that game was officiated,” Bickerstaff said. “The level of disrespect was above and beyond.”
Beyond the technical fouls, Bickerstaff provided other examples of what he said was unfair treatment of him and his players.
Bickerstaff said a review he requested for an elbow to the chest/neck area of a Pistons player was denied and that he was “screamed at” for simply saying an official’s name to get his attention. He also pointed out a foul called on the Pistons when an Oklahoma City player tripped over a teammate.
Bickerstaff suggested that the Pistons’ treatment is a result of their physical style of play and his own passionate coaching.
“We understand we play a style of ball that’s physical, that’s on the edge,” Bickerstaff said. “I coach my ass 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.”
The Pistons’ 74 technical fouls on the season are 17 more than any other team in the league. Their seven ejections are second in the league to the Houston Rockets.