The Chicago Bulls are two years removed from the playoffs and since then the team has changed key personnel including their coach. As they make a push towards this year playoffs, two players from that previous team lead the way: Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon.

When the Oklahoma City Thunder started the season an abysmal 3-29 the snickers could be heard around the NBA, however the team has been doing some great things over their past 40 games.

After Jose Calderon tied the franchise record for assists in a game (19), he talked with the media about the team winning four in a row, dishing out 19 assists and he reveled in winning a big game in overtime.

There’s only one man that Mitch Barnhart needs to call, and when he makes that call, needs to refuse to take no as answer. That man: John Calipari. He is everything that Kentucky and their fans want. And he’s everything they need, if they’re serious about getting back to college basketball’s elite.

Robin Sawh talks about the incredible rookie season of Derrick Rose, how John Salmons has meshed with his new teammates and what Bulls fans can expect in the playoffs.

Vinny Del Negro talks with the media about how he keeps his players focused on the road and what kinds of improvements he’s looking for on the defensive end from his players.

Earlier this week Gilbert Arenas announced the blueprint by which he could step back on the court for the first time since last year’s playoffs. His return happened tonight and Rashad Mobley commemorated the return of the Wizards’ franchise player with a thorough recap of the biggest game of the Washington Wizards season.

Saturday evening Pistons head coach Michael Curry talked about how his team would guard Gilbert Arenas and how he would handle the return of his own superstar (Rip Hamilton) and when Allen Iverson would returns to action.

Following up on my interview yesterday with the President of the NCPA, today I have a chat with Dr. Russell T. Wigginton, Vice President of College Relations at Rhodes College in Memphis and the author of “The Strange Career of the Black Athlete: African Americans and Sports.”

* The Good Point has a must-read called Pick-Up Ball Goes Global.
* Tom Ziller has an interesting look at what makes professional basketball be about more than wins, losses and salary caps. Check out this teaser: “Last August, a plane carrying a Kyrgyzstani youth basketball team to Iran for a game crashed shortly after take-off. [...]