Is Salmons A One-Year Wonder?

The Chicago Bulls acquired  forward John Salmons from Sacramento on February 18, 2008. The 6-foot-6 swingman never averaged double figures in the NBA until his sixth season. Last season, the forward rose to 18.3 points and 47.2 percent shooting. There are very few players who start slowly and then average more than 18 points for a full season. Antoine Carr and George McCloud are the exception, but they went back to their normal numbers after a single breakout season. Salmons certainly set the bar higher for himself last season. Living up to those expectations has to be on his mind, right? “I haven’t thought about that,” he said. “There’s no reason to think that way. I know there are still nonbelievers out there. I know that. I’m not a fool. But at the same time, I’m focusing on doing what I do best, just go out here and help my team win. Whatever comes out of that, comes out. That’s how I approached last year, that’s how I approached every year.” This year, the Bulls are counting on Salmons to step in as the starting two guard. Salmons, a Philadelphia native, has been working next to Derrick Rose during practise. “I love playing with him,” Rose said. “He doesn’t say that much. I don’t say that much either, but we’ve got an understanding on the court of what we’re supposed to do. He’s a bigger guard, has a funny-type game, but he can score the ball.”

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