John Salmons Chat Transcript, Dec. 8, 2005
John chatted live on Dec. 8.
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In his fourth season with the 76ers, guard
John Salmons is certainly enjoying his best one in 2005-06. Statistically the Miami (Fla.) product is enjoying one of his finer years so far with increased points per game (9.7) and minutes per game (24.7) while also upping his shooting percentage from the field.
Originally picked by San Antonio in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft, the Sixers acquired the rights to the 6-foot-7 multi-faceted player in a draft night trade. He came to the 76ers having started 107 straight games at University of Miami and ranks third in career assists (433) and steals (192), and 13th in scoring (1,287). He is the only player to surpass 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists and 150 steals in his career all while playing every position other than center.
Salmons chatted live with fans on Thursday, Dec 8. Check out the complete chat transcript below:
Rowan Cherry Hill: hey
If you could, would u stay with the sixers forever?
John Salmons: Yeah, if I could, I would. It's my hometown team, so it would be special to play my entire career here.
john, nyc: Why do you think you're getting more minutes this year?
John Salmons: I think it's because, it's one of those things, where people struggle at certain times for whatever reasons, but right now, I'm at a place where I'm able to go out there and do what I do best.
sue, chicago: what's it like playing with allen iverson?
John Salmons: It's fun. Obviously, playing with one of of the best players to ever play the game, is something that not many people can ever say they did. It will definitely be something that I cherish for the rest of my life.
kk, camden, nj: john -
why do you wear the # 7
John Salmons: Because it's a spiritual number for me. For me it means "completion." And it makes me want to continue to grow as a man, and as a person, not just as a basketball player.
pookie, west philly: john -
who is the sixers competition for the atlantic division?
John Salmons: New Jersey.
brynna labik - phoenixville: i love you :) - sorry had to get that out, if you could be anything in the world besides an nba player, what would you chose?
John Salmons: I would like to be in politics....maybe I can be the Mayor of Philadelphia.
Edmond, NY: hey johnny, can you tell me why the sixers are not getting it done in the defensive end this year. you guys had a stretch where u guys are spectacular in scoring and now it seems like you lost that along with the ability to rebound. what is going on? please get it together, as a sixers fan its discouraging to watch us lose a game like last night.
John Salmons: We just have to put out more effort on the defensive end. We can score the ball so well, we sometimes can fall into the trap of thinking we can just rely on that. But, even last night, we showed during that stretch in the third quarter that if we do what we need to do, we can shut teams down, and we just need to do that more consistently.
jimmy, san juan: john do you have a favorite all-star moment?
John Salmons: Watching Michael Jordan in the Slam-Dunk Contest was always my favorite part about the All-Star Game.
Mike (Cherry Hill): Is there any specific part of your game that you are currently working on right now, not just your overall play?
John Salmons: I try to work on my overall game. I take pride in being a versatile player, so I work on every aspect of the game.
djbigf, Landsdale: Is it true what they say about the cheesesteaks in Philly?
John Salmons: Ha-ha (Laughing) Oh, yeah it's true! My first time in Miami, I went to this place for a cheesesteak and that's when I realized how good we had it in Philly. I just assumed that everyplace made them the right way, but I was so wrong. Philly is THE PLACE for the cheesesteak.
jason, dallas: when did you think you had the chance to make the nba?
John Salmons: When I first started playing, around eight-years-old, I had the desire, but it wasn't until the 11th grade in high school that the desire became a possibility. I had a good year and scouts from colleges started talking to me, and then after I went down to Miami, I made that desire into a reality.
Brynna Labik - Phoenixville, PA: John Rashall Salmons - you are such a great player and a great person. i love you!! Did you have a mentor, or an idol growing up? if so, who? thank you for everything you do, and good luck in the rest of your season!
John Salmons: Every basketball player of my era liked Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Now I try and follow Jesus Christ as my role model and I do my best in that.
John Salmons: Thanks to everyone for chatting with me and stay positive!
