Asked about his declining production since Kevin Martin returned four games before, a frustrated John Salmons said it's up to the coaching staff to keep him involved.
"They call the plays, so it's up to them," said Salmons, who hit just 1 of 8 shots Monday and has made 18 of 58 since Martin returned from a left ankle injury that kept him out of 22 games.
"There shouldn't be no reason why (he and Martin) shouldn't be able to play together … . That's on them, because it's proven (that he can produce)."
As the Kings set a Sacramento-era record for slowest start to a season (8-27), the inability of those around Martin to chip in is suddenly the latest reason they can't find a way to win. Yet in their 11th consecutive road loss, Salmons was in a category all his own when it came to nonexistent offense.
The solution, as Salmons sees it, has nothing to do with him. Averaging nearly 20 points this season, he said his number simply isn't being called recently.
"It's drastic," Salmons said when asked about the difference in the number of plays being called for him. "It's just ridiculous."
Martin, who made 11 of 21 shots but was only 3 of 12 in the second half, said he doesn't see it as a systematic problem.
"It's not tough (to keep everybody involved in the offense)," Martin said. "It's just like with any team. Somebody has the hot hand, and it shouldn't be hard for any guy to go off because it's not like the guy is being selfish or anything.
"We've just got to continue to play together because these have been some tough losses. Hopefully, we get through it."
