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**Coatesvillain** · 10-22-2004, 12:24 AM

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SAN ANTONIO - Roles are laid out and carefully defined for every player every season. All the player has to do is accept what he has been handed, whether it involves multiple positions, a new position, limited minutes or whatever. And that can be the hard part.

For the 76ers' John Salmons, it means bouncing among small forward and both backcourt positions. Last night, it meant getting an extended look at the point, where coach Jim O'Brien said he was No. 4 on the depth chart. For San Antonio's Malik Rose, a favorite son of Overbrook High and Drexel University, it has meant reducing his responsibilities to increase his value to the Spurs.

As O'Brien projects, at least to himself, how his lineup and substitution rotation might look once the NBA regular season begins, he needs to see starters and reserves in various combinations. After tomorrow night's home game against New Jersey, the coach will use the remaining two exhibitions to help settle on a lineup and the basic four additional men who will log minutes.

O'Brien insisted before last night's 97-95 overtime victory over the Spurs that Salmons, preparing for his third season, is "competing for a lot of playing time." The Sixers (4-1), however, have until the end of the month to determine whether they want to pick up the fourth-year option on Salmons' rookie contract. If not, the one-time Plymouth-Whitemarsh High star can become a free agent after the season.

On a night that Allen Iverson left after three quarters because of a lower-back injury, when rookie Andre Iguodala dropped in a clutch three-pointer with 40.9 seconds left in the extra session, when Josh Davis contributed two steals in the final 39.9 seconds, Salmons - in O'Brien's eyes - filled his role nicely. Salmons had 10 points and three assists in 17 minutes, committing only one turnover, but committed five personal fouls and had no rebounds.

"Johnny has played really good basketball for us," O'Brien said afterward. "Offensively and defensively, he does a lot of positive things. I think he's playing solid basketball."

Still, other than Iverson at the point, and almost certainly Kenny Thomas and Glenn Robinson at the forwards, O'Brien hasn't tipped his hand. He said he will allow the process to go "gradually." Thomas sat out last night with soreness in his lower back, and Kevin Ollie and Kedrick Brown - although in uniform - were not scheduled to play. Salmons was back after sitting out Tuesday night's loss in New Orleans with a mild groin strain.

"I have combinations in my mind for the process of getting it down to being able to start the team I want to start and the subs who I want to sub by the first game," O'Brien said.

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**BEEZ** · 10-22-2004, 04:40 AM

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Originally posted by PhillyPhanatic!

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yadda yadda yadda. Increasing his trade value. God job

**Kunlun** · 10-22-2004, 04:50 AM

I would actually want John Salmons starting in front of Glenn Robinson.

**BEEZ** · 10-22-2004, 04:58 AM

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Originally posted by KL Dawger!
I would actually want John Salmons starting in front of Glenn Robinson.

We need offense and the offense that he provides is not that off Glenn Robinson although he does play very good man to man defense which is a commodity in this league. I think that we should try and get Salmons to Denver in some way to get Skita over here.

**Coatesvillain** · 10-22-2004, 09:28 AM

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Originally posted by BEEZ!
We need offense and the offense that he provides is not that off Glenn Robinson although he does play very good man to man defense which is a commodity in this league. I think that we should try and get Salmons to Denver in some way to get Skita over here.

Salmons actually played pretty well in the game Vs the Spurs, he looked comfortable running point and he'd be a nice fit there in leftover minutes. He played with confidence last night, and after getting beat consistently off the first step by Beno Udrih, he stepped up his defense.

The problem I really noticed last night is, Salmons handles are still loose and he'll carry the ball at points. They weren't calling it last night, but I'm confident that they'll be calling it quite often during the preseason.

I'm not as high on a trade for Skita as I was in the offseason, because we'd have a hard time finding the minutes for him with Iguodala's emergence. With Salmons we know he can be a servicable fit at three different spots, Skita on the otherhand can only play SF and I'm not sure about how good he is on the defensive end.

Bruno · 10-22-2004, 11:34 AM

first kiki the GM of the nuggs said he want skita on the team then you thing skita is good?
in my opinion i likie more salmons that skita and my opnion about it its that we make salmons a free agent and then we see what he does in the season and then try or not give him one offer .

**Coatesvillain** · 10-24-2004, 06:20 AM

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In other Sixers news, King said the Sixers are close to picking up the fourth-year option on John Salmons, who is making $926,000 and will be due $1.67 million in 2005-06. The announcement could be coming within the week.

"He's earned it," King said. "He's gotten better every year."

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