John Salmons Chat Transcript

Salmons

Most recently, Salmons was honored as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Reebok Pro Summer League in Boston, Mass., after averaging 19.6 points and 5.8 assists in five games. His week was highlighted by a 35-point, eight-assist effort in the Sixers 91-87 win over the Boston Celtics on July 18. Salmons is currently competing in the 2003 Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue.

During his four-year collegiate career, Salmons became the first player at the University of Miami to surpass 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists and 150 steals in his career, helping the Hurricanes to an 86-39 (.688) record from 1998-02. Following his senior season at Miami, the product of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., was a first round selection (26th pick overall) by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2002 NBA Draft before his rights were acquired by Philadelphia on June 26, 2002, in a draft-day trade with Mark Bryant and the draft rights to Randy Holcomb for Speedy Claxton.

John chatted live on Thursday, July 24. Check out what he had to say.

Josh (syracuse): Which player on the sixers as tried to help you the most throught your time with them?

John Salmons: Pretty much everyone in my first year. Eric Snow brought me along quite a bit.

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Chuck Philly: What do you think of the trade? And are you excited to play with another scorer besides Allen?

John Salmons: I'm just hearing about the trade stuff like everyone else. So I'm just trying to get myself ready rather than worry about who I might be playing with.

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Brett (East Brunswick, NJ): At what position do you expect to receive the most minutes next season -- point guard, shooting guard, or small forward?

John Salmons: I think point guard, but pretty much wherever Coach Ayers wants me to play.

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Jeff (Philadelphia): Hey John, what was it like on Draft Night 2002 to see that you were traded to the Sixers, your hometown team?

John Salmons: It was a dream come true. Nothing better than playing for the team you grew up watching.

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Chad(Philly): Sally- Save the all this scoring till the season starts. What have you been doing to work on your game during the off season. ?

John Salmons: Just working on my overall game. Shooting a lot of jumpers and my ballhandling. Trying to get stronger and faster. Worked on everything, really.

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Dan (Lebanon,PA): What do you think will be different with Randy Ayers as head coach instead of Larry Brown?

John Salmons: Well they're two different coaches. I've only had a couple weeks with Coach Ayers. He'll bring his own coaching style and we'll just have to adjust to it.

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Adam Miami: From being from Miami and all and watching you for four years and wanted to ask you how is the transition from college to pro?

John Salmons: It's been a tough transition. Different game. Different rules. Grown men who are a lot faster and stronger. But I just learn and try to get better every day.

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Chuck Philly: Man, youve been killing it in the summer league. COngrdulations on your award in hte Rebook Summer League. Do you expect to get more playing time this year and if so, what do you think your role will be. And what position to you feel most comfortable playing.

John Salmons: I expect to see a little more, but whatever Coach Ayers wants me to, I"ll do. If he wants me to play the point, I will. If its the 2 or the 3, that's what I'll do.

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Derek (Cleveland): John - From your college days, which head coach had more impact on your overall game Leonard Hamilton or Perry Clark?

John Salmons: I think they both did. Coach Ham was there and he helped me grow as a person and as a man. Coach Clark made me a leader and a better basketball player. So I'd say I needed both of them.

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Garrett(Youngstown): What is the biggest tip you could give a rookie 76er?

John Salmons: Stay close to God, because as a rookie, it's tough. A lot of ups and downs and it's a long season. Stay close to God, put everything in his hands and let him work his magic.

John Salmons: I'd just like to thank all the fans for posting your questions. Keep rooting for us and hopefully we'll have another great season.