Vincent Goodwill Nov 11, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

DETROIT PISTONS COACH J.B. Bickerstaff and then- Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley broke the ice after nearly two weeks of silence: a simple bro hug at midcourt before their teams played Game 7 of last season first-round series.

More than a series was on the line -- jobs have been decided in these situations, and that series was no different. Regardless, the two consider themselves brothers.

"We didn't make eye contact during the series," Bickerstaff said. "I knew the outcome of that series -- we played two years before when I was in Cleveland -- if I would've lost to Jamahl, I would've been fired. I knew if Jamahl didn't beat us [last season], he was going to be fired.

"Coaching those games was extremely emotional, and them both coming down to Game 7s adds more weight to those moments. I know the impact that it has on you, your wife in that moment. His kids call me Uncle."

Several coaches closely watched the matchup.…