Going Upstairs: Staying Ahead of the Curve

One of the most enjoyable things I like to spend my time doing (I know, my life is pathetic) is finding the next "it" team. This is a team that breaks out of the lottery and into basketball relevance, usually due in large part to a group of young players that finally gel. The following season they become everyone's darling team, and a trendy sleeper pick to win their respective conference. Last year it was Oklahoma City, the year before that it was Portland, and the year before that it was New Orleans. (A year before that? Chicago.)

Going Upstairs: New Bulls Ad Campaign (Link Post)

Check out this and this. Warning: These videos may increase your heart rate to an excessive, unhealthy rate.

I wonder if the Bulls brought in a new marketing team, this is a big step up from the old campaign. Wouldn't you rather hear our stars talk than these guys? But I guess for me it doesn't make much of a difference, since I never really got to see the old commericals and probably won't see the new ones. Instead, I'll have to endure this.

Going Upstairs: Carmelo

All the latest news surrounding the league pertains to Carmelo Anthony supposedly asking to be traded from the Nuggets. Speculation is starting to surface as to where he would like to go and which teams are the front-runners.

Of course, much of this speculation has him headed to the Big Apple, and to no surprise, the New York media is behind most of it. Both Michael Kay of ESPN Radio in New York and the NY Post are reporting stories of Anthony's interest in joining the Knicks. Let's remember, these were the same guys, along with Chris Sheridan, that fueled the LeBron James-to-New York fire and made it seem as if they were the clear favorites to land him. As it turned out, LeBron barely considered New York an option.

The Madhouse: A Tribute to #33

This is my first blog at Pro Basket-blog and I'm very excited to be a part of the crew. Matt Becker, Joe Romano, Tapan Jani, Kevin Connors and Shawn Gorman are some of the brightest basketball minds around and my only hope is that I can keep up with their high standards when it comes to insight, analysis and humor.

The team over here on Pro Basket-blog are very big Scottie Pippen fans. We know a lot about Pip and Pip means a lot to us. When this is the case, sometimes, it can be quite difficult to say everything that you want to. So instead, we have limited ourselves to one paragraph each.

Below, along with our paragraphs, we have gathered quotes from various sources. To truly understand the complexity of Scottie Pippen the person, you had to know him. To truly understand the brilliance of Scottie Pippen the basketball player, you had to have played with him.

On the Backburner: Five Most Fun 2k11 Teams

First off, I'd like to thank Mr. Becker for allowing me to become a guest writer on his blog. Matt - I hope you don't regret adding me that I can add a unique perspective on NBA basketball. Best of luck to you in North Carolina. I'm really looking forward to reading about Bulls basketball from a group of friends, for a change, instead of just internet randoms. I already know Tapan will bring style, Kevin passion, Becker hunger, Romano savvy, and Vineeth wisdom. Am I missing anyone? Whatever. Enough with the soapy introduction. Let us talk basketball.