<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen Iverson offered his assessment the other night of why teammate John Salmons has been such a pleasant surprise for the 76ers and coach Maurice Cheeks two weeks into the new NBA season. "I don't know any other way to say it, but Mo doesn't bother him," Iverson said. "That's it... . For the first time in his career, he doesn't have someone just screaming his name every second he's in the game." Cheeks has allowed Salmons to bring out the aggressiveness in his game, and the results have been more than satisfying. Entering last night's rematch against the Toronto Raptors, Salmons was averaging 10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 24.5 minutes while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. Even more astounding, Salmons has 21 assists against only four turnovers, a ratio of better than 5-1. "He's been pretty good; I haven't had to yell at him," Cheeks said with a laugh before last night's game.</div> link:http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/13186756.htm so that's the reason. it's all thanks to mo cheeks. im really starting to like this coach more and more.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RuN WiT iT:</div><div class="quote_post">serious huh</div> Thanks for insight As far as the article goes I have to agree as soon as Cheeks was let go from Portland I said fire JO and hire him, because he is a players coach. He studied under Larry Brown which is why I believe he has his calm persona even as a player however he was a mellow player who inspired his teammates with his play. I am very happy Cheeks is the coach in Philadelphia right now he is by far my favorite coach in the league. A definite early coach of the year candidate.
I don't know what happened with John this year but he is playing like a whole new player. Besides Webber and Iverson, John Salmons is the only other guy I expect to see numbers for every game points wise. I think out of the young guys he has been the most consistent ofensively so far. He should really be starting because he works better within the Sixers offense. He doesn't settle for jumpers, and is aggresive when he has the ball, he can also make his open shots. Salmons needs to keep it up, meanwhile Korver heck, maybe even Iguodala need to watch their tails and step their game up and be play consistently.
Johnny has been a big surprise this year, and I think what Allen said about Cheeks just letting him play out there is partially the reason for why Salmons has emerged as a solid player off the bench for this squad. The other reason? It's the final year of his contract and he's playing for a contract next year. I think he can keep this up the entire year, and if we finish with a pretty good record he might be in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. It's a longshot though, in my opinion. I also think Johnny should start, but he brings more versatility off the bench than Korver does. Johnny can play the 1, 2, or the 3 position whereas Korver is only suited for the small forward spot, and he does much more than Korver. Korver is basically a hired gun, and when he isn't draining his shots then he is pretty much useless, in my opinion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know what happened with John this year but he is playing like a whole new player. Besides Webber and Iverson, John Salmons is the only other guy I expect to see numbers for every game points wise. I think out of the young guys he has been the most consistent ofensively so far. He should really be starting because he works better within the Sixers offense. He doesn't settle for jumpers, and is aggresive when he has the ball, he can also make his open shots. Salmons needs to keep it up, meanwhile Korver heck, maybe even Iguodala need to watch their tails and step their game up and be play consistently.</div> You could start him, but then your best 3pt threat is taken off the floor. I'd much rather use him for his energy and aggressiveness off the bench to 'inspire' the tired guys playing..the ones who aren't inspired by AI anyway.
