But I’d rather keep Cisco. He’s a better defender, and I don’t really question his mental makeup. John’s problems adjusting to a bench role really make me question how he would perform during the pressure of a playoff chase, or the playoffs themselves.

I don’t sense that Cisco would wilt under that pressure…John I’m not so sure.

I’m betting that Garcia will win the vote overwhemingly, but I think it’s actually rather close.

Starting with some per 40 stats (all numbers rounded to nearest whole number):
Salmons – 16 pts. on 13 shots, 48% fgp, 6 reb., 3 ast., 1 stl., 1 blk., 3 to.
Garcia – 18 pts. on 14 shots, 46% fgp, 5 reb., 2 ast., 2 stl., 1 blk., 2 to.
Artest – 22 pts. on 18 shots, 45% fgp, 6 reb., 4 ast., 2 stl., 1 blk., 3 to.

Using the very unscientific formula of +1 for pts., rebs., asts. & stls., and -1 for shots taken and to’s, Artest would be a +14, Garcia a +12 and Salmons a +11.

Now to be fair, Salmons does not always stink off the bench. On a few occasions he has been quite good. But it is home run derby with him. He never seems to have a fair game. He either palys very well or very poorly, rarely in between, whether he is starting or coming off the bench. One point in Salmon’s favor – though he does hold the ball too much he does provide more assists than Garcia, and Kevin Marin usually plays very well alongside Salmons. Also, I think Salmons is nearly as versatile as Garcia. They can both play the 2 and 3 well and the point nit so much.

Salmons’ ineffectiveness on the bench seals it. End of story.

I think Salmons is at or near his peak, and I think Garcia still has room to improve. Garcia is younger and Garcia plays well starting or coming off the bench.

I choose Cisco hands down!
I really like Salmons, but Cisco is a fighter, he can set that team on fire like no one.
If he plays with the same intensity he did the last games, he’ll be a strong competitor for the 6th man award.
And also, he can play well both as a starter or comingo from the bench. But even if Salmons had this hability, I’d still pick Cisco…

If you ask me it’s not important which one you keep. It’s why you’re asking the question in the first place. Artest is better than Salmons and Garcia, but Salmons provides nearly what Artest does when he’s at his best.

The problem with this question, is that’s it’s a double edged sword. I’d rather have Salmons and Garcia in the fold, as they produced this season, and trade Artest for a diminished return, and build around the remaining weakest spots of the roster (PF and PG).

I won’t vote either guy because both has redeeming value. The only reason to trade one is that Artest is here long term. That is entirely un-acceptable under any scenario.

Because I think he has more upside long term. And he and Martin play extremely well together.

We’ve seen Salmons’ arsenal, but Garcia, we’ve only seen flashes. And he plays with more passion.

But I agree with Pookey and Section, that I’d much rather keep both and see Artest on another team next season.

It’s easily Garcia, but I want to disagree with a few things said above before I make my case. I don’t agree that Salmons is a head case, that Garcia is the better defender or that Salmons is not an NBA starter. I thought the Salmons signing was poor when it happened, but the guy is a player, and I didn’t recognize it at the time. He does a great job on Kobe, appears to be an excellent starter (and poor bench player) and is understandably frustrated about his lack of playing time, which frankly, I would be too. Salmons would be better suited to a fast paced game or point guard centric offense.

I chose Garcia because he’s younger and has a chance to get a little better. Francisco is actually 26, which is surprising since he really just emerged this year. Garcia is more versatile than Salmons and clearly fits better in a passing offense. He’s reduced his mistakes, which were always his biggest problem. Without looking at the numbers, I’d say Garcia is the better rebounder and gets a surprising number of shot blocks at his size and position.

Like the other folks here, I’d rather keep Salmons and Garcia and send Artest elsewhere next season. If recent history is any indication, Petrie will try “real hard” and we’ll end up with the same roster next season.

(Numbers rounded to nearest whole number)

As a bench player: 41 games, 23 minutes per game, 7 ppg. on 43% shooting, 3 reb., 2 ast., 1 stl., less than 1 blk, 1 t.o.

As a starting small forward: 17 games, 37 mpg., 18 ppg. on 48% shooting, 5 reb., 3 ast., 2 stl., less than 1 blk., 2 t.o.

As a starting shooting guard: 23 games, 39 mpg., 16 ppg. on 53% shooting, 5 reb., 4 ast., 1 stl., 1 blk., 3 t.o.

I have no idea what this information means or what it brings to the conversation, but I needed to keep busy while the website was down and the Giants went into extra innings.

I have certainly posted my negative feelings towards Salmons, his lackluster career numbers and inflated MLE salary. The first half of the season, John made me look like an idiot but by seasons end I think most fans now understand my frustrations. If I had to choose one of the smalls to go, it would be Artest but that is not the question at hand. Swing men are a dime a dozen in this league, Garcia can play three positions and stretch the d with his perimeter shooting.

I would like to see Petrie package Salmons with a #2 and try to get back into the 1st round. Maybe thats a dream but hey, without any capspace and a marginal draft pick this is going to be a loooonnnngggg offseason.