NBA Notes: Pistons, JB Bickerstaff, Blazers, Damian Lillard, Sixers

Pistons

The rise in Detroit has been fast. Even J.B. Bickerstaff admits that.

The Pistons have gone from the bottom of the East to the top in barely two seasons, a turnaround that surprised outsiders and slightly caught the coach off guard, too. But Bickerstaff told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears that the belief was always there once ownership put the right structure in place.

“When you were with the group every day, you knew there was a ton of potential there,” Bickerstaff said. “I couldn’t tell you that a year and a half later we’d be coaching the All-Star Game and be in first place, but I knew we were going to grow.”

Bickerstaff was hired shortly after his dismissal from the Cavaliers, and he credits president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon for setting a clear plan and sticking to it.

“I trust Trajan totally,” Bickerstaff said. “The small, subtle moves he made helped elevate this team.”

As for championship talk? That’s not the focus.

“We talk about today every single day,” he said. “That helps control the emotional ups and downs.”

Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is leaning on perspective as much as rehab.

Since suffering an Achilles tear last spring, Lillard has sought advice from players who’ve lived it, including Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, and Rudy Gay, per Joel Freeman of The Oregonian. Lillard said those conversations were encouraging and helped fuel his Three-Point Contest win.

“I do think I represent strength,” Lillard said. “People go through way worse and keep moving forward.”

76ers

Cameron Payne’s return to the 76ers is official — and costly.

KK Partizan announced Payne’s departure and confirmed a $1.75 million buyout, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Philadelphia can only cover $875,000 of that figure and still must secure a Letter of Clearance from FIBA.

Payne appeared in just 10 games overseas but averaged 12.4 points and nearly four assists. With the Sixers thin at guard after the Jared McCain trade, Payne should have a real opportunity once cleared.