Salmons

[Entity]

I highly doubt Kenny would catch on fire as a starter.

On a side note- I have allways been confused as to why Kenny Thomas never gets to play at all- from what I've seen he isn't THAT bad. Were paying his the big bucks so we should atleast give him some playing time.

I was said a month or so ago That Theus and Petrie told him he wasn't in their future plans. I took that as if they are not going to play him unless injurys occur.

Also this could be my conspirace theory. Is that he can opt out after this year so the organization is testing his paitence and/or ego to see if he is willing to sit the bench for 2 more years and not play. I would imagine if he doesn't opt out that the kings will offer him a bargain basement buyout and if he don't take it they will indeed let him rot on the bench in a suit for 2 years.

So opt out or buyout I don't think KT will be on the Kings next year. It will save us all of his money (opt out) or at least 3 or 4 mil (buyout).

 

[bloom]

Looking beyond the bench player vs starter question, here's something to think about: Salmons was most productive for the 76ers when Iverson was not in the game; but when Iverson was in the game, Salmons was not productive. With the Kings, Salmons is most productive when Artest is not in the game; but when Artest is in the game, Salmons is not productive. What do Iverson and Artest have in common? They both tend to dominate the ball - when given the opportunity.

What do Iverson, Artest and John have in common? They all want to dominate the ball. John is also a ball hog. I’ve seen him numerous times when both Mike and Ron were out he was holding onto the ball while there was open players. He plays well when he knows that there’s nobody else to dominate (ex: Ron or Mike). I guess it’s his time to be “The Man.” He does his thing while a player like Ron is out.

I have no problem with John being a quiet /silent/introvert. My problem with him is that he seems to crawl into his hole when he sees someone like Ron in the game (even if Ron isn’t on the court with him at the same time). He would be a great bench guy if he can just get his mind around the fact that it’s just as important to come off the bench as starting the game; infact, he’s in the game during the most important times (ex: closing half of the 4th quarter when the game is on the line). Plus he was getting similar minutes as before (not lately).

Even if we trade Ron, I still would like to see John coming off the bench (which starts the whole problem all over again). He doesn’t look like a starter and his energy would be better to spark the game.

If he’s having personal problems, I hope that everything works out for the best.

 

[kyo2002]

It was just a matter of time before we find out why Sixers fans didn't like him, calling him a dead beat. There's more and more reasons to justify why Iverson was so hard on him. Salmons reminds me a little of Dwayne Wade. Without the ball he isn't nearly as productive.

 

[DocHolliday]

he will break out next year if we dont resign artest

Well that may not be up to the Kings. In the interview posted from ESPN.com Artest on opting in, and staying another year, beacuse the Kings have stuck by him.

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

It's mind boggling, that he can look like an All star for one stretch of time and then like a D-leaguer during another.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

I highly doubt Kenny would catch on fire as a starter.

On a side note- I have allways been confused as to why Kenny Thomas never gets to play at all- from what I've seen he isn't THAT bad. Were paying his the big bucks so we should atleast give him some playing time.

During his transition season with us and the season after that, Kenny Thomas actually had value. GMs still saw him as a rebounding albeit undersized big man who could rebound the ball, play solid defense against slower SFs or bigs of the same height as he was, and of course he had the inside-outside game offensively. But all that has been negated by his combination of pouting, regressed play (particularly last year and now leading into this year) and of course his fat contract. Those three combinations are a recipe for disaster: a cancerous fat contract who's not even producing? Yeah, he's currently mired on our bench, but that's bueno for us because with the roll we're having, I don't think his mindset would let him be a part of it. He's just not wired for success. It's hard to move him, but playing him would be even worse at this point.

 

[silicongat]

I really like the idea of a Salmons caliber player coming off the bench. You would think he would have a Bobby J type effect on the game. That obviously isn't the case. I don't think he's necessarily pouting htough, I think it goes a little deeper than that.. Lets examine his childhood. Kidding.. But, he might profit with a visit with a sports psyche. Bottom line is that he's a professional athlete and he's getting paid a great sum of money. He needs to step it up.

 

[Kingster]

He either needs to start or he needs to get traded. He needs big minutes and he needs the ball in his hands; he's not effective without ball or a simple catch and shoot situation. I can't believe that he and Ron will be on the same team next year...oh, wait, I can believe that he and Ron will be on the same team next year, but I sure hope it doesn't happen because it will be a waste of Salmon's talent.

 

[Glenn]

My concern is whether or not Salmons has the talent we think he has. He certainly would be difficult to trade with Petrie saying, "Yeah, he hasn't been doing well but I know he'd be a great starter for you."

 

[fnordius]

My concern is whether or not Salmons has the talent we think he has. He certainly would be difficult to trade with Petrie saying, "Yeah, he hasn't been doing well but I know he'd be a great starter for you."

I'm thinking:
(1) Figure out who, other than Linas Kleiza, can be our SF of the future, and get him.
(2) Get Ron off to some franchise that will make the playoffs, to NY, or some other happy ending.
(3) Start Salmons for a while, then trade him.

 

[bloom]

I really like the idea of a Salmons caliber player coming off the bench. You would think he would have a Bobby J type effect on the game. That obviously isn't the case. I don't think he's necessarily pouting htough, I think it goes a little deeper than that.. Lets examine his childhood. Kidding.. But, he might profit with a visit with a sports psyche. Bottom line is that he's a professional athlete and he's getting paid a great sum of money. He needs to step it up.

I like him coming off the bench as well, if he can channel his inner starter in him. But I have to disagree with you on him being like Bobby J. He’s not that offensively gifted like Bobby. His really good quality is taking it to the hoop. I see Francisco being a Bobby Jackson type spark. But that’s just my view.

 

[Bricklayer]

Its absolutely clear at this point that John Salmons has to start for him to be worth a damn. And that is not just based on the Sacto experience, but on the EXACT same pattern playing itself out during his Philly years too. And the guy is no kid. He's 28. This is who he is. The question is do you cave to that? do you take advanatage of the tantalizing glimpse from earlier in the year? To do so either Kevin or Ron has to go. And if you're NOT going to move Kevin or ron, then John has to go. He's wasted and distracting as is. Undependable and fighting Cisco for backup minutes. Problem is after so much time passing between his starting period and this offseason, if you trade him you aren't going to get 18ppg scorer value back. There was a time there to make that call -- it was immediately after everybody came back in mid-Jan. This trading deadline at the latest.

 

[km23]

Its absolutely clear at this point that John Salmons has to start for him to be worth a damn. And that is not just based on the Sacto experience, but on the EXACT same pattern playing itself out during his Philly years too. And the guy is no kid. He's 28. This is who he is. The question is do you cave to that? do you take advanatage of the tantalizing glimpse from earlier in the year? To do so either Kevin or Ron has to go. And if you're NOT going to move Kevin or ron, then John has to go. He's wasted and distracting as is. Undependable and fighting Cisco for backup minutes. Problem is after so much time passing between his starting period and this offseason, if you trade him you aren't going to get 18ppg scorer value back. There was a time there to make that call -- it was immediately after everybody came back in mid-Jan. This trading deadline at the latest.

everyone is talking about rebuilding and getting rid of artest cuz we can rebuild around him, but then how can we rebuild with salmons when he is only a year younger then artest? i dont get it?

 

[Bricklayer]

everyone is talking about rebuilding and getting rid of artest cuz we can rebuild around him, but then how can we rebuild with salmons when he is only a year younger then artest? i dont get it?

Perhaps we can't. I never said we could/should.

Nor is Salmons half the player Ron is. But rebuilding with Ron is like building your foundation out of TNT. And soon to be quite expensive TNT. Salmons at least has the virtue of being cheap for what he was producing as a starter, which let's you divert $$ resources elsewhere to improve the team.

 

[Elise10]

Maybe this is what is wrong with Salmons(talk about straight from the headlines)

http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25853

 

[CruzDude]

Salmons languished in the shadows of Iverson for 3-4 years sitting on the bench all that time never really getting to show his stuff. Petrie knew what John could bring and earlier this year Salmons showed us and the world what he could do as the starting SF.

Sure he is not RonRon, but then thankfully, no one else is either. But with RonRon its always deja vu all over again: shuts down opposing top scorers, can't be stopped to the basket, then takes over games anytime while everyone else stands around rolling their eyes, or tries to drive thru triple teams (unsucessfully).

No, I think Salmons should start again. He worked well with Beno earlier, averaged 20 pts, and got good rebs and assists.

 

[Kingster]

everyone is talking about rebuilding and getting rid of artest cuz we can rebuild around him, but then how can we rebuild with salmons when he is only a year younger then artest? i dont get it?

You're not supposed to get it. It's the theatre of the absurd.