Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff supports Chauncey Billups, calls gambling ‘scary situation’

DETROIT — When asked his opinion on the nature of the NBA’s evolving relationship with sports gambling, as well as the arrest of former Detroit Pistons guard and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups in the aftermath of FBI investigations into the league, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff shed light on how challenging it’s become to manage.

“To be honest with you, it’s a scary situation,” Bickerstaff said Sunday ahead of Detroit’s home opener against the Boston Celtics. “The information that our guys have, that are just natural things that happen through a shootaround or through a practice … that information has been monetized now.”

Bickerstaff spoke to the ongoing conversations he’s had with his team to protect them from sharing any information, even unintentionally, with their loved ones.

“You’re having an innocent conversation with a friend of yours, but who knows what that friend does with that information?” Bickerstaff said. “We’ve talked about it.”

Bickerstaff was then asked about his reaction to Billups’ recent arrest. Bickerstaff shared his sympathy for his longtime friend, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP with the Pistons.

“I’ve known him since I was in the seventh grade. I care about him immensely,” Bickerstaff said of Billups. “I hate to see what he’s going through right now. As a friend, as a human, I’m here to support him and be there for him in any way that he needs me to be.

“I know just how difficult this time is. I think everyone needs to allow the due process to happen, and then obviously, judgments can be made. But you feel for anybody who you’ve known that long, have a relationship with, know his family that well. So, I know he’s going through it; I know it’s a difficult time for him. But all of us, as friends and coaches, are there for him.”