Bleacher Report - Articles by Ian Stone

Naismith Would Be Proud

Ian Stone — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:42:59 -0400

An exquisite and extremely talented tier of those involved in the NBA will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame at 6:30 ET tonight. The NBA is blessed to have had these people involved in their association, and should be honored just to be in their presence. They all changed the game in many unique ways, doing what they can to make the NBA, and the world, a much better and friendlier environment. These individuals are named and explained for you.

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2009's Best NBA Free Agents

Ian Stone — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:23:29 -0400

After every season in the NBA, there are some players whose contracts run out. When this happens, each player has the option of trying to make a deal with their former team, or they can declare free agency. If this person does declare free agency, he can be signed by any team who has enough money or roster space to satisfy his needs. The most famous free agents before this next upcoming season are listed for you. Some of these players are very talented, and worth being signed, but others, are on their way out of the league and into retirement.

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The Steals of the NBA Draft

Ian Stone — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:52:17 -0400

There were many arguable picks in the draft, but also many players who were so underrated, that they were impossible to pass on. Some players who were in the second round could have even been players in the top twenty. The teams who drafted these players will most likely improve their record greatly from last year to next year, if these players are acknowledged for the talent that they possess.

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The "Most Valuable" Draft Picks

Ian Stone — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:59:00 -0400

This slide show created and provided for readers is one of great importance and expression. This slide show consists of the top college basketball players who determined their move on to the NBA draft. In the NBA Draft, someone who puts himself into the draft can do this action one time, so it is important that these people know that they are good enough to be drafted in the two rounds that make up this draft. The top potential draftees, in order, are presented for you.

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Josh Smith Out with Ankle Injury: Atlanta Hawks Lose a Wing

Ian Stone — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:50:02 -0500

The Hawks started as the most surprising team in the NBA, beginning the season in first place in the Eastern Conference.

To get to first place they beat other rising teams such as Orlando, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Chicago, averaging 99 points per game during that run.

After going 37-45 last season, they were almost guaranteed to show at least a little improvement. With Josh Smith and Joe Johnson slowly becoming NBA veterans, they didn't need that much help.

They were 6-0 and there was virtually no one and nothing that could stand in their way or prevent them from thriving.

Something did happen, however: Josh Smith. After leading his team to a six-game winning streak, using his amazing passing, dunking, rebounding, and blocking skills, he got hurt.

Atlanta needs someone to help take his place until he can return. Marvin Williams is going to need to take on some of the extra work to get it done.

Josh Smith is the glue of the Hawks and without him they will fall apart.

The San Antonio Spurs Head South: Tony Parker Takes a Dive

Ian Stone — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:59:46 -0500

The San Antonio Spurs have always been a team that had a significant chance of making it to the playoffs. They are feared and ranked among the top teams in the league.

They have always been a championship contender; winning the most championships in the last decade (4).

Guard Tony Parker and forward Tim Duncan, have led this team for quite some time. These players have averaged circa a combined 40 points per game, since they have been on the Spurs together.

Yes, together they are nearly unstoppable, but with one piece missing, the rest of the team can't finish the puzzle of success. As of now, Tim Duncan has needed to provide a surplus of talent, beyond his capabilities, to make up for the loss of Tony Parker.

Tony Parker will miss an expected two to four weeks due to an ankle injury. To add to their problem, guard Manu Ginobili also has an ankle injury and is expected to return in the middle of December.

What San Antonio needs to do is to find someone with enough capability to temporarily replace Tony Parker until he is feeling well enough to return to the court. There are many free agents who are capable of fulfilling the role of a temporary starting point guard.

A couple possible pickups could be veterans Darrell Armstrong, Sam Cassell, or even Damon Stoudamire. They are all very talented and don't require a high paying salary.

The Spurs are in a tough situation that can be solved, or covered up, by an important transaction.