Salmons - not going to Raptors, backs out...

[Kings113]

Wow this thread has really bit us Kings fans. We are all saying that Salmons was a idiot for turning down the big $ in Toronto and Phoenix and then Petrie swoops in to get him for 5 yr/$25.5M. Hope this guy proves us wrong and is good...I think we'd see it by his career up this this point though.

Well, you're showing some ignorancy there as AI limited his oppurtunity in Philly.

As was said here, too:

"We envision when he's at the point that he will have the ability to post up other point guards who are sometimes 4 to 5 inches smaller," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "And we envision that if we move him over to (small forward), he can be isolated and beat people off the dribble. … It's very unique to find a player who can play (three positions) not only offensively, but he can do it defensively, too."

What's more, Salmons said his separation from seven-time All-Star Allen Iverson will show his true capability. Musselman agreed, noting that Salmons' scoring rose dramatically whenever he played without Iverson on the floor. "The situation in Philly was a difficult situation, just because when you've got one of the best scorers to ever play the game, it's hard not to give him the ball," Salmons said. "(Iverson) is a tremendous player -- pound for pound one of the best players to ever play the game. … But sometimes people just don't play well together. It was just one of those situations where two people didn't play well together on the court, and we just had to go our separate ways."

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14281923p-15089950c.html

I like his versatility and athleticism off the bench for us, along with being in a different and new situation.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

I think Musselman is overhyping Salmons a bit. Let me put it this way: he's not soft, but he's not tough either; he's not a horrible athlete, but he's not an uber-freak either; he's not passive, but he's not aggressive either; he's not bad, but he's not a superstar.

I'm not saying that Salmons is a horrible player, and he's somewhat of a figured product. Salmons is not extremely skilled nor does he have any definite strengths, and beating players off the dribble is simply not something is his nature. And even if he beats players off the dribble, he doesn't have the athleticism and second/third steps to finish around the basket. He doesn't have the most proficient jumpshot as well, and defenders simply don't need to play him tough. And if Musselman is asking him to post up smaller guards, I wonder what sort of "success" that would have.

I'm not sure if teaching Salmons new tricks would bring himself personal success. I think he's what he is--a little scoring here and there, a little passing here and there, some defense, some versatility. Just don't expect any new things from him.

 

[Packt]

If anyone is still wondering, Salmons is very similar to Trenton Hassell. Biggest difference being Salmons has experience/skills at the PG, while Trenton might be the better offensive player and slightly more athletic. Trenton was a big scorer in college (played for a small conference) was a wing player (SF) with decent passing abilities.

In the NBA, both have put up comparable numbers and have similar reputations.

 

[Kings113]

If anyone is still wondering, Salmons is very similar to Trenton Hassell. Biggest difference being Salmons has experience/skills at the PG, while Trenton might be the better offensive player and slightly more athletic. Trenton was a big scorer in college (played for a small conference) was a wing player (SF) with decent passing abilities.

In the NBA, both have put up comparable numbers and have similar reputations.

Just taking skills into play, that's actually a solid comparision, Packt. Hassell has just had the better situation and oppurtunity than Salmons has.

I saw a lot of Hassell this past season, more than I have in the past, where it was just sometimes during the season before 05-06. It seems generally most think that Hassell is just a defender/hustler player, he's not, as shown this past season with the Wolves. The Suns announcers being a key example when they were going wild over how Hassell was torching the Suns for 20 points or so. He usually scored in the low-mid teens, and put out 2-4 APG.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Hassell is a defensive stopper who especially gained that reputation in the '03-'04 playoffs, when he was matched up against players such as Kobe and others and fared well against them.

Salmons is a slightly above average defensive player, but he is far from a stopper.

Hassell is much less versatile than Salmons, although he DID show signs of an all-around game starting from this season. He had 10 assists twice this year, both season highs, and one of those games coming off the bench. He does seem to have some really great untapped potential at least in his passing ability. But still, I'm not sure if he can run an offense effectively or create for others--I associate Hassell has more of a SF/ SG type.

Hassell has been getting more openings in terms of the offense and even though he's producing better numbers, he will always be a mediocre offensive player at best--shoots high percentages, but always plays within himself at offense. I'm sure Salmons could become a better offensive player than Hassell, primarily because he seems more aggressive in taking shots (primarily from three point range).

 

[Kings113]

I think Hassell's better than mediocre offensively, from what I've seen, I'd say he's decent. Obviously not a regular #2 option, but overall a solid two-way player.