<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The 76ers wasted a 53-point performance by Allen Iverson, saw their defense crumble again, and were outrebounded - and that wasn't even the worst part of a dreadful night at Philips Arena. After last night's 111-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks that began the first of seven consecutive road games, team unity was called into question by guard John Salmons. Sitting quietly by his locker, Salmons talked in a whisper after he had a forgettable final few minutes. In the game's final 2 minutes, 21 seconds, Salmons missed two three-pointers, took a two-point shot that was blocked, and made one of two free throws after being fouled while driving to the basket. Afterward, Salmons said he could hear the snickering by teammates, although none said anything directly to him. "I heard some things that were disappointing," Salmons said. "This is not how a team should be." Then he added another salvo: "It's been like this for a while." Chris Webber, who missed a short jump hook that would have tied the game with 2.9 seconds remaining, said he didn't say or hear any of the comments directed toward Salmons. Webber, however, didn't let the team off the hook for other matters. "We have got to make sure we play together," said Webber, who scored 16 points and was 0 for 5 in the fourth quarter. "It just doesn't happen enough." Iverson said he didn't hear anyone direct any comments toward Salmons. However, Iverson said some murmurs were heard about the shot selection. "The only thing I heard was guys saying Kyle [Korver] was open on those plays," Iverson said. "Other than that, I don't know." Iverson refused to criticize Salmons, even though on a night when he shot 17 for 31 from the field and 19 for 21 from the foul line, Iverson took only one shot in the Sixers' final six possessions. "John is going to feel bad because of the situation," Iverson said. "Probably he will react to something not that serious because of the situation." Iverson tried to be as diplomatic as possible in explaining his feeling on his lack of late-game shots. "I wanted it, but I can live with whatever my teammates do on the court," he said. "They live and die with me, and I do the same with them." Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks tried to deflect the attention away from Salmons, saying the game was lost because the team's defense was nonexistent, especially in the fourth quarter, when the Sixers were outscored, 35-24. "I am not going to get upset over Johnny taking shots," Cheeks said. "I did say the next time he has that opportunity to drive the basketball. We were in the penalty, so drive the ball, maybe get a foul, or the defense collapses and kick it out."</div> Source - Philadelphia Inquirer At first I was very upset by Salmons' play down the stretch, but it's kinda upsetting to read this. You don't read about much locker room talk behind players' backs like the whole Pape Sow incident. Johnny did make some decisions that in all fairness can be labeled 'bad' but maybe we all should take a step back. There's more games to be played and stuff like this can be a lesson to Salmons and the entire team. I'm really interested in learning who were the guys making the comments.
dang. that's really sad to hear. it seems as if the whole sixers team chemistry is falling apart. i know salmons didnt play his best game ever, but come on. as a team, you shouldnt be laughing at someone for their bad performance, you should be encouraging them to get better. i have to say, this has really been a dissapointing season. i had high hopes but it just doesnt seem like the sixers are getting it done. hopefully this team can come together soon or else we may have to end up in the lottery.
I agree. Every team has to go through some growing pains, and all these tough losses we've had this year are what we need to go through in order to get better in those situations. These comments are pretty discouraging, but I can't really think of anybody saying them except for maybe Nailon and/or Hunter. AI, in the past I would have thought he would say that, but not now. Neither would Webber, Kyle, Andre, Sam, Kevin or Shav... all for different reasons. I know Nailon isn't the greatest guy in the world, and Hunter is upset with his lack of playing time. Mo needs to get this cleared up and settle the matter, otherwise it might endup hanging over our heads for a couple of weeks.
Lets hope that John Salmons may have misundertood some of the comments he heard. Every team deserves a loss like this, hompefully the Sixers will take something out of it that will make them a better team in the long run. That is what good teams do in these type of situations. They can't get discouaraged or they will fall apart before mid season, keep your mind straight Salmons, you will be alright.
You guys do realize that this is just an indication that he wants to get traded right? If anybody was to get traded I woudn't be surprised if it was him. This is the 2nd/3rd time he's come out to media expressing his displeasures. It's one thing to keep in the lockeroom but another to make it public. He is slowly letting Billy King and other GM knows that moving some where else probably wouldn't be the worst idea.
Maybe, but it is no secret that he'd more than likely be included in any trade package we put together... unfortunately.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">Lets hope that John Salmons may have misundertood some of the comments he heard. Every team deserves a loss like this, hompefully the Sixers will take something out of it that will make them a better team in the long run. That is what good teams do in these type of situations. They can't get discouaraged or they will fall apart before mid season, keep your mind straight Salmons, you will be alright.</div> Agreed, the murmurs that John heard were probably taken out of context, and the whole locker room must of had some flared words after getting the loss to the Hawks. Hopefully, this doesn`t become a war of words for our team.
This makes me feel a bit better... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Sixers Working on Unity, Defense Marc Narducci of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER writes, ?The 76ers headed into the holiday weekend looking like a beaten and fractured team. Whether it was just the frustration of wasting Allen Iverson's 53-point effort in Friday's 111-108 loss in Atlanta against the Hawks - or if it is a bigger problem - remains to be seen.Guard John Salmons said teammates were pointing fingers in his direction for questionable late-game shot selection. Power forward Chris Webber reiterated a complaint that the Sixers aren't playing together. And Iverson, while baffled because he only took one shot in the team's final six possessions, actually tried to play the role of peacemaker. Oh, and coach Maurice Cheeks was visibly upset at yet another lackluster defensive effort.?</div> http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/13487101.htm
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">This makes me feel a bit better... http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/13487101.htm</div> That article basically sums up what happen in that Hawks lost. That's really about it. It didn't indicate anywhere that the Sixers are looking to put forth an effort to put that incident behind them and move forward. However though, I think they will move forward. With the holidays and guys seeing their family and relaxing a little they will come to work with a new attitude....Hopefuly...
I agree. I think the biggeing we're all missing because of this is DEFENSE. That loss showed us the importance of playing defense... we shut them down and we win the game, simple as that. Hopefully the team realizes that and comes out with some defensive intensity and carry it throughout the game against the Nuggets. Also, as much as I despise Hunter for his lack of rebounding, I think Mo needs to start giving him some playing time and experimenting. Clearly our defense is at its best when Sam is out on the floor, which brings me to another issue in the loss to ATL... why wasn't Sam on the floor in the final 3 minutes? Anyway, when Sam goes to the bench I think Mo needs to put Hunter in and let him have another chance, and let's see how our defense is than. I think Mo needs to experiment with a Dalembert/Hunter, Hunter/Shav, Dalembert/Shav, etc. kind of frontcourt, so if they work then Webb can get a little bit more rest.
For those of you wondering how this situation turned out Salmons gave an interview about it on Comcast Sportsnet in which he said “ those comments where just out of frustration. This team is like a family. You know? I had a tough game missed some shots I should have made.” S I am guessing all the problems have been solved for the moment at least. However, it is painfully obvious that this 76ers team as currently constructed is not going to compete for a title this season. How far away are they? I don’t know, but if King feels they are only one or two moves away Salmons is obviously our biggest trading bate. Ultimately, I think a player who has yet to suite up for one game this season will determine Salmons fate. Who is that player? Willie Green, depending how quickly he returns from injury, primarily if its before the all star break, as well as how well he plays when he returns will determine whether or not we trade Salmons. Right now Johnny is one of our better bench players, and in my opinion a piece we cannot afford to lose. Green, however, could easily overtake Salmons for that role on this team if he comes back 100%. I am a big John Salmons supporter, if anyone remembers my comments during the off season they would know, but realistically his contract is up after this season. I would not be surprised to see him go to a young team like the Hawks, Hornets, or Bobcats. A team like that where he would be given consistent minutes, probably more than he really should get, and show what he can do. I don’t think he would want to return to the 76ers unless he was promised a chance to compete for some starting position on the team. Now that I have said all of that I think the move this team needs to make is signing a free agent by the name of Latrell Spreewell. Though Spree is no longer an all star he is still an above average player who could provide us with a better defender at the small forward position as well as add another dimension to our team. His problem in Minnesota was money, but the first season he was there when he was not worried about that he helped make that team into a western conference final team. A team who before hand had never been out of the first round. If we can get that Latrell then this team would be a force in the eastern conference.
Signing Spree while keeping Salmons is going to be a real good move for this team, in my opinion... in terms of a basketball standpoint. On the other hand, there will be a lot of volatile guys in the locker room, and I don't know if I'm willing to take a chance with that. From a basketball standpoint, however, I think Spree is the kind of player we need. Somebody that can hit the mid-range jumper, and he's fit in well when the offense is run through Webber... but I don't think Spree would be happy since AI and Chris get most of the touches anyway. Eh... I've come to live with the fact that this team isn't going to compete for a title. Not now and not in the next few years with ownership's unwillingness to spend money. Attendance is down, and they need to do something... but they need to make sure it is the right move. I don't want them making a trade just for the sake of making a trade... we can't afford any more screw-ups.
