Ex-Sixer Salmons has become NBA's Mr. Fix-it

By John McMullen

Philadelphia, PA - John Salmons is no superstar, but he is a 6-foot-6 wing player with solid offensive skills and the ability to match up on the defensive end with the NBA's top scorers.

He's also become the league's version of Mr. Fix-it.

Originally selected out of Miami by the San Antonio Spurs with the 26th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Salmons was immediately traded to his hometown Philadelphia 76ers.

Salmons never really got a shot to play consistently in the City of Brotherly Love, however, and was all set to move to Toronto in a sign-and-trade deal after the 2005-06 season. He had second thoughts about moving north of the border and balked, instead signing a multi-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.

It was in California's capital that Salmons first showed signs of turning into a quality NBA player, and was averaging over 18 points a game at the trade deadline last year when the Kings moved him to Chicago, along with veteran center Brad Miller, for four players.

That move fueled Chicago's run toward a playoff berth as Salmons played superbly in the Windy City, averaging 18.3 ppg in his 26 games with the Bulls. He also excelled in the team's epic seven-game playoff series with Boston, and seemed like he could be a cornerstone of Chicago's future.

John Salmons fueled Chicago's playoff run last season.

Despite playing so well down the stretch, Salmons lost minutes this year and the Bulls, fearing he might opt out of the final year of his contract, moved him at this year's deadline to division rival Milwaukee for forwards Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander.

Since the trade, the Bucks have amassed a 19-6 record and secured their first postseason berth in four years. Chicago, meanwhile, has gone 10-14 and finds itself one game behind Toronto for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with just five games to go.

"He has been great," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said of Salmons. "He has just fit right in. He has played good defense, scored for us, shot the ball. He has made big plays for us. He makes free throws. All-around, he has been very, very good."

I don't believe in coincidence.

Although Skiles has utilized Salmons' skills far better than his counterpart in Chicago, Vinny Del Negro, it's been the player who has made things happen on the floor.

"The ball is in my hands a lot I'm not standing around," Salmons said of the Bucks offense." There's more movement and it just fits me better."

Salmons' presence in Brew City is why the Bucks have taken off, and his absence in the Second City is why the Bulls are fighting for their playoff lives.