What is amazing about Salmons this year is..

[Peja4threee]

The 16 points a game average is on .506 FG% and .486 from 3 and .802 from the FT line, yet also gets almost 5 rebounds and 3.1 assist per game.

It no wonder why Phoenix what so intent on picking him up before Petrie came in to win the prize.

When Bibby and Martin come back, think of how deep are team will get with Salmons backing up Martin and Beno backing up Bibby and Garcia backing up Artest! Miller has been playing like he did 3 years ago and Moore brings the emotions and athletic play. Even the new player Dahntay Jones looks to be a nice find and is athletic player that can also play D.

 

[Jerryaki]

salmons does not seem to put up the same points and stats coming off the bench; isn't this a point of concern? he seems less effective coming off the bench. still a productive bench player, but he seems mentally sharper as a starter.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Salmons is much less productive coming off the bench, and the difference borders on alarming. Which is only one of the reasons I was against signing him: he performs well, when he gets his minutes, but when this team is healthy, there are two players better than him at both of the positions he can play effectively, and he simply isn't the same guy coming off the bench, or really anywhere close.

 

[Peja4threee]

It's a catch 22 because if you are coming off the bench play 15-20 minutes a game, of course your points will be down then someone starting and playing 38-40 minutes. Do you think if Brad was coming off the bench play 20 minutes a game he would be putting up the nice numbers he is this year? no.

If Artest ends up getting traded for someone like David Lee from NY, then Salmons can start at SF and Garica can back him up, then there wouldn't be the issue. Although, I like what Artest brings to the team but if we could get Lee for him I think Petrie would go for it.

 

[Jerryaki]

It's a catch 22 because if you are coming off the bench play 15-20 minutes a game, of course your points will be down then someone starting and playing 38-40 minutes. Do you think if Brad was coming off the bench play 20 minutes a game he would be putting up the nice numbers he is this year? no.

but that's the problem. he's only productive if you give him minutes, and with ron and kevin back in the line-up, his minutes go down. other sixth men in the league (e.g. barbosa, ginobili, nocioni, etc.) are able to produce in limited minutes, because they have the mentality. it feels like salmons doesn't when he's coming off the bench.

 

[Purple Reign]

If Artest ends up getting traded for someone like David Lee from NY, then Salmons can start at SF and Garica can back him up, then there wouldn't be the issue. Although, I like what Artest brings to the team but if we could get Lee for him I think Petrie would go for it.

I completely agree with this scenario. There is no way, NO WAY in the world Salmons goes back to the bench. He will not accept that role. Theus knows it. Therefore in my opinion Petrie has to get on the phone and facilitate an Artest trade as soon as he can. Find out if Lee is available and go from there.

 

[Gary]

Once Salmons was done sulking after going to the bench he did put up some decent numbers.

13/4/4 and 21/6/2. off the bench if given 25-30 minutes I can see him putting up averages which fall between the two statlines above. 14-16ppg 4-6rpg and 3-5apg.

But yah, he is a moody player and it's very noticable in his stats.

 

[CruzDude]

But what a nice problem to have for a change. Makes you wonder how this starting lineup would fare:

Bibbs pg
Martin sg
Salmons sf
Mikki pf
Brad c

artest (martin/salmons/mikki), beno (Bibbs), cisco, jones, douby and Hawes as primary reserves. Jones and Douby would battle for one hunk of minutes.

Artest could come in from bench for anyone and really become a WWF/RickMahorn enforcer on other teams big scorer. He could match up with most 2, 3, 4 or 5's. And still get 30 min a game. He has been having big spasms lately (last 3-4 games) of not much on the floor off or def. Coming off the bench he might be an energy guy...... or not. But if Salmons keeps going as he is, it gets easier to trade RonRon, especially if Jones can help shut down other significant scorers.

 

[venom_7]

Or Salmons could play 30 minutes a game no problem. I am more worried because he really needs the ball to be effective, unlike Martin who scores a whole bunch off of cuts. He won't get as many touches as he gets now, so you will see his numbers go down.

Imagine the different lineups.

Starting:
Bibby/Udrih
Martin/Cisco/Douby
Artest/Salmons/Jones
Moore/KT/Jwill30
Miller/Hawes/Jwill30

Bench:
Udrih
Salmons
Cisco
K9
Hawes

Free Throw:
Bibby
Martin
Cisco
Salmons
Miller

Small Ball:
Bibby
Martin
Salmons
Artest
Miller/Moore/Hawes

3 ptr:
Bibby
Martin
Cisco
Artest
Miller/Salmons

 

[mac]

Since Artest has such a winning mentality, maybe he won't mind coming off the bench. But like with Salmons he'll be in when we really need production or at the end of close games.

 

[syadap]

Since Artest has such a winning mentality, maybe he won't mind coming off the bench. But like with Salmons he'll be in when we really need production or at the end of close games.

Ron has that winning mentality but you tend to forget that he's mentally ill as well

I doubt him being on the bench, and i doubt the coaching staff to even do it.

 

[Rug King]

The way I envision it, Artest either get's traded at the deadline this year or opts out and walks this Summer. Salmons starts at SF in the near future and will just have to deal with coming off the bench untill that happens.