Salmons brings 'attitude' to Bulls

Last Feb. 22, one day after being acquired from the Cavaliers in the Ben Wallace trade, Larry Hughes stated his intentions clearly.

"I plan to start," Hughes said then.

Fast forward to Friday, when newly acquired John Salmons could have talked about starting all 53 games for the Kings, a career-high average of 18.3 points and 37.4 minutes per game. Instead, the veteran swingman deferred.

"Whatever they want me to do, I'll do," Salmons said.

It's this type of attitude that has management convinced the acclimation of three new rotation players in Salmons, Brad Miller and Tim Thomas should go smoothly.

"I just have to prove myself on a good team," Salmons said.

The mild-mannered Salmons has started 170 of 494 career games. His scoring average has increased all but one season during his seven-year career and has jumped from 8.5 to 12.5 to 18.3 over the last three seasons.

"Last year, we had a lot of injuries and they put the ball in my hands and just let me play," Salmons said. "This year, I was starting again and for a long stretch, the offense was running through me. So I just had the opportunity."

Salmons, 29, would rather talk about his defense anyway.

"In Sacramento, I always had to guard the best wing player, and I always liked to take that challenge," he said. "There are some really, really good players out there."

(chicagotribune.com)