Apr 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard-forward John Salmons (25) carries the ball as Milwaukee Bucks guard Ramon Sessions (13) defends during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
#3 Best Move: Trading For John Salmons
For as bad a move as drafting Joe Alexander was, at least Hammond wasted no time moving on from the pick.
The Milwaukee Bucks, led by then-rookie Brandon Jennings began 2009-10 the season in scintillating fashion–posting an 8-3 record out of the gate. Jennings recorded his infamous 55 point game during this stretch and in doing so sparked real optimism throughout the fan base.
But after going just 8-20 over their next 28 games the Bucks floundered away their great start to a 16-23 record. By February 18th they had climbed back to within four games of .500 at 24-28, but failed to capture any of the excitement of their first eleven games.
Enter John Salmons.
Acquired for the blindingly cheap price of Joe Alexander and Hakim Warrick, John Salmons instantly revitalized the Buck’s outlook.
With Salmons providing an astounding 19.9 PPG the Bucks rattled off six consecutive wins, whipping the fan base into an optimistic frenzy.
Revitalized, the Bucks finished the season 22-8, a record that could have been even better had not Andrew Bogut suffered his gruesome season-ending elbow injury.
To this day whenever Amar’e Stoudemire’s name is brought up I squint my eyes in thinly veiled distaste.
Regardless, John Salmons’ Bucks progressed deeper in the playoffs than they had since 2001, pushing the heavily favored Atlanta Hawks to seven games in the first round.
Without Salmons the playoff run (and perhaps even the “Fear the Deer” slogan) would have never materialized.
Next: Best Moves #2: Robbing The Pistons Blind