[Archive] Scouting Report: John Salmons

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#1
John Salmons
Position:
SF/SG
Hgt: 6'6"
Wgt: 207
Age: 33
Number: 5
Nickname: Fish
College: Miami
Yrs with Team: 3 (first stint); 2 (this stint)
Yrs in League: 11
Previous Teams: Philadelphia ('02-'06); Kings ('06-'09); Chicago ('09-'10); Milwaulkee ('10-'11)
How Acquired: trade for Beno Udrih June '11
Contract: 2013-14: $7.6mil; 2014-15: $7.0mil (team option)
Strengths: versatility, ballhandling
Weaknesses: overdribbles, tunnel vision, rebounding, energy

Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Recovered slightly from a horrible year in 2011-12 where he had lost even his ability to shoot from distance, and three point shooting numbers bounced back to around career averages (.364). Aging ball dominant player not comfortable with that roleplayer staple, the catch and shoot. Does not get to the rack as he once did, core of his game now is catching, pulling it down, dribbling to an open spot from 18-20 feet and pulling up for an often missed midrange jumper. Often develops tunnel vision when he has the ball, and will dribble, dribble, dribble, missing open cutters along the way. Inconsistent and has a notorious tendency to lose his aggressiveness and disappear when not playing a featured role where he gets to handle the ball and shoot on his own terms. Has guard skills, and indeed is more SG than SF offensively, and even can run a little PG for short stints. In his second year as a designated roleplayer, was one of the few Kings to willingly move the ball.


Defense & Rebounding
Was brought back to the Kings for his abilities as a man to man defender, but has struggled in that role. Listed at 6'6" 207, can still stay with smaller swingman types, but simply physically overwhelmed by bigger power SFs, and does not have the athleticism to compete with high flyers. Neither a gambler nor a high energy player, concentrates on keeping his man in front of him. Never been much of a help defender, and does not play the passing lanes or rotate crisply on the backline. Is one of the league's worst rebounders if you call him a SF, where lack of size, strength, athleticism and energy leave him totally ineffective. Is barely adequate if you call him a guard.


Intangibles
Has somewhat of a sulky demeanor oncourt that has never helped him shake the impression that he may be a selfish player. Low energy player that makes it hard to tell when effort is 100%. Has appeared to be legitimately trying to fit in, but fitting in in this case has led to several totally ineffective seasons suggesting his career is almost over. Known as a quiet inoffensive sort in the lockerroom, yet has repeatedly worn out his welcome, been unhappy with his role, and seemingly struggled to develop chemistry at his various stops.


Stats 12-13: 30.0min 8.8pts (.399 FG% .371 3pt% .773 FT%) 2.7reb 3.0ast 0.7stl 0.3blk 1.1TO
Stats Career: 27.2min 9.9pts (.436 FG% .364 3pt% .801 FT%) 3.0reb 2.5ast 0.9stl 0.3blk 1.4TO
NBA.com profile

 
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