<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Maurice Cheeks scans John Salmons and says what each of his predecessors has said. He likes Salmons' 6-7 size, his long arms, his positional versatility, his willingness and ability to defend. Those, of course, are all the factors that led to Salmons becoming the No. 26 overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. The kid from West Oak Lane, Plymouth-Whitemarsh High and Miami was selected by San Antonio, who quickly traded him to the 76ers. The Sixers were ebullient. The public-relations department had the homeboy selling water ice off a Rita's truck in South Philadelphia and took him to visit Upsal Playground in his old neighborhood, two ways of re-introducing him to the community. The coaches were convinced they had a guy who, with some time and experience, would be a significant, consistent contributor. Going in to his fourth season, and essentially playing for a contract, even Salmons says it's about time. "It's definitely my most important year in my career," Salmons said during a break in the training-camp regimen at Cameron Indoor Stadium. "I think this year will make me or break me, to tell you the truth." For Salmons, who spent his first three seasons as quiet and peaceful as a gentle summer breeze, that qualified as virtually a landmark statement. "Just because of how the NBA works," Salmons said, shrugging. "After 4 years, if you don't produce, after that they kind of label you. That's just how it is." Cheeks, the Sixers' fifth coach in four seasons, describes Salmons as "kind of a low-key guy... It doesn't take away from the things he can do on the court."</div> link:http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/ba...ll/12863522.htm
Well that article sums it up. The 76ers need Salmons to step it up. So far the 76ers have been labeled as a thin team when it comes to terms of roster depth and bench quality. If we can get guys like Salmons to step it up then they would be well......better.
One thing that is bad about Salmons, they where talking about it during a local broadcast a couple seasons ago, is that he does not stay involved in the game when he comes out. He is just sitting on the bench worrying about a shot he missed, and not following the game. He is the kind of player that if he is in a game misses the first four shots he takes, and gets pulled he will not be able to get back on track that whole game. He needs to learn how to put the shots he missed behind him and worry about the next shot.
I think Salmons needs to get more time, everytime I see him play he performs really well. Salmons is a capable player he just needs to get time to prove it, I dont think he'll do that while he's in Philly unless Cheeks is really high on him. But if he remains in the NBA after this season I think he'll surprise a lot of people depending o where he goes.
