Hallama
Starter
Two things:
(1) John Salmons is a 33 year old veteran with 11 years of NBA experience now. Evans is a 23 year old who just completed his rookie deal. It's at least understandable why Evans would defer to his coach. Salmons coasting through games at this point in his career because he's already been paid is entirely on him.
(2) Tyreke Evans' "bad play" this season resulted in an 18.1 PER and .105 WS/48 in 31 minutes per game. Salmons this season produced a 10.1 PER and .034 WS/48 in 30 minutes per game. Evans is criticized often for failing to live up to his superstar billing. Salmons is criticized for failing to be a productive NBA player. These two things are not at all alike.
And I do remember how often Salmons gets hot and actually produces like a starting SF -- it's about once every two weeks. Maybe this will refresh your memory -- [game log]. The fact that John Salmons has game and still produces this garbage is exactly why I don't think he's a positive influence on the collective team culture. Get somebody that wants to be here to take his place. Maybe somebody less talented but willing to work hard. Because regardless of what he can do on paper, or which games you selectively remember him making his shots and playing tough defense, the fact remains that the vast majority of the time he's doing nothing of the kind and the numbers back that up.
He'd be so much better coming off the bench 10-15 a game for a playoff team. You pretty much know which Salmons you're going to get within two minutes, so he can't hurt you too much if you see the signs. Keith Smart never saw the signs.