"John Salmons is a quiet guy.

That's one of the first things you notice about the unassuming pro the Milwaukee Bucks acquired at the trade deadline about two weeks ago.

But don't mistake Salmons' demeanor for being unconcerned. In the words of Bucks coach Scott Skiles, "unflappable" is the more appropriate term.

"He's a steady influence," Skiles said. "He's pretty much the same every day. You don't get the sense in a big game or a not-so-big game that he's going to ride the emotional roller coaster up and down.

"He's not going to get rattled out there."

Bucks fans got an look at Salmons' calming influence in his first game with the team. After a turnover in the final minutes had put a Milwaukee victory in jeopardy, Salmons rose up over Detroit's Ben Wallace and stuck a three-pointer with the shot clock running down.

"He's unflappable, I guess is the word that comes to mind," Skiles said. "It doesn't mean he's going to have a great game every night. But if he doesn't, you're going to come back and see the same guy. There's maturity in that.

"Yet at the same time, you can see the passion for the game when he plays."

Bucks general manager John Hammond knew the team desperately needed help in the backcourt after the season-ending injury suffered by Michael Redd. But Hammond didn't want to take on a contract that would set back the progress he has made in gaining some control over the Bucks' payroll and roster in the past year."