One thing people forget to mention when discussing the Shaq for Marion trade was the role Marion played in getting himself out of Phoenix. He wasn't a cancer, but neither was he a happy camper to be HIGHEST PAID player on the suns. Marion started b****ing about a new contract when he had 2 years left at the max salary (he made 16.4 mil in 07 and nearly 18 mil last year). His production dropped, he wasn't the same as he was in years past, he wouldn't be happy unless he got another max extension. Marion was traded from 60 win contender to a team that ended up with the #1 pick in the draft. He went from winning every game to losing every game, he went from Steve Nash to Jason Williams, Chris Quinn, and Smush Parker (all 3 should be out of the league this year). He stopped complaining and became happy to be 'the man' with Wade injured
The next season Marion and his 18 mil salary were dealt for someone that resembled Jermaine O'neal. Once again, his arrival on his new team barely registered an impact and Toronto finished out of the playoffs in the east despite having 2 max salary guys. In this offseason, Marion overestimated his value and rejected Toronto's 5 year, 36 mil deal (according to Bucher), leading to his team renouncing his rights and signing Hedo. Talk about a slap to the ego, your team rejecting you so they can pay someone else alolt more money to do your job, that tells the rest of the league what Toronto thinks about Marion's abilities. The question now is how far Marion will fall from his max demands 2 years ago. He's going to have to take the MLE now unless Portland goes after him as plan D or plan E. His fallback position has to be NYK for the MLE with D'antoni, but is D'antoni really a fan of his? D'antoni saw his act first hand when the guy was making the max, what is he going to be like when he's an MLE guy making less than Darko and Curry. Going into the offseason, most rankings had Marion on the 2nd tier of FA swingman, somewhere between Ron Artest and Trever Ariza. Artest and Ariza seemed to understand their value and each took the MLE. Artest settled for 3 years to play with a winner. Will Marion do the same before all the MLE offers are taken and he ends up Bonzi Wells version 2.0? It's a little childish to 'hate' on a guy like Marion, he's never been in trouble with the law and isn't scum like Zach Randolph. But he looks like a real lesson for other NBA guys, do not underestimate the value of winning on your personal value, and do not overestimate yourself to the point that all offers run out on you.
I meant to put that in a single post, can someone fix that, going to have to get around to donating soon.
Uh... plenty of people have mentioned that, including Bill Simmons, the most widely read columnist on ESPN.com, who's repeatedly killed Marion for being so selfish/indifferent. One example: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080310
link? Marion's turning into the typical wrong side of 30 player, only he doesnt seem to realize it. His 3 point shooting has been ATROCIOUS since leaving the Suns. It does look like he's following Bonzi Wells course. Its too bad cuz Marion is still an elite rebounder at his position and can still finish. If he'd embrace the glue guy position more he really could make teams better. But instead of it looking like he held the Suns together. its looking more like the Suns helped him. So no one's gonna take the big money chance on him based on what he did 4 years ago.
True, especially that Boston, Orlando and the Lakers have all improved. Shaq will be an asset but getting Marion will basically propel the Cavs to the finals. Lebron is a great passer and Marion thrives by playing alongside good passers.
Sure, they could use him. Cleveland currently has 68 million committed for 09-10 with 10 players under contract. They figure to be in luxury tax range once the numbers come out. If they sign Marion to an MLE deal, they're paying 10 mil. The same goes for a number of contenders and the NYK. Still, Cleveland seems like they are so desperate that they might make this deal. I wonder if Marion would take a short deal, a 2 year deal with an opt out after year 1. That might be his best option moving forward.
Cleveland's whole future depends on this season. Once they lose LeBron it's lights out for them. With Shaq and Ilgauskas both expiring they'll be in great financial condition for the 2010 offseason even if LeBron signs an extension... so expect them to use every single penny of their MLE this offseason. Luxury tax for one season ain't **** compared to what a future with LeBron holds.
Marion cracks me up. If he would just face reality and realize what EVERY other person on the planet knows besides him (that he's a valuable garbageman and entirely incapable of being "the man"), he could absolutely launch a team like the Cavs, Spurs, Magic or whoever into an entirely new stratosphere. Marion needs to be surrounded by stars. Not to be THE star. Maybe he'll realize this before he's old and washed up? The clock is ticking...
lebron ability to create and even to a lesser extent Mo Williams make this a pretty good destination for him to do his thing, although after reading the seven seconds book, i would doubt his ego could take being 3rd banana
Marion wanted more money than the offers of a $30M/3yr extension from Miami and a $36M/5yr extension from Toronto. Is Marion in danger of becoming this season's Bonzi?
The offers are becoming smaller and smaller, but teams are still willing to pay the MLE for him. The question is what he'll do after Portland uses up their cap space and he knows he has to 'settle'. It's possible that he waits so long for a big offer that teams interested in him turn to another player on their list. Would he actually go Latrelle Sprewell on us and sit out? Marion is definitely a better player than Bonzi, a better character guy too even though that's not saying much. This whole thing has to be a huge blow to his psyche/ego. Marion always struck me as an insecure person, that's why he cared so much about getting a max player status and being viewed as the franchise player.
Marion will hook up with a team. His still that good for team, especially contenders to not sign him. True, the offers will be smaller however to compensate He could sign a 1 year deal and try to land a bigger deal next year.
I've been saying for years now that Shawn Marion is OVERRATED. He was a product of Jason Kidd/Penny Hardaway, Stephon Marbury (prime), and Steve Nash (MVP). He's a great athlete, and a good rebounder for a 6'7 player. But other than that, what else does he really bring? With a great pass-first point guard he is a good cutter and finisher, but he has no skills to do anything on his own. I wasn't the least bit surprised when he was a bust in Miami and Toronto. He can't get to the basket on his own, he can't post up, he's a very streaky shooter at best. outside of a lay up or dunk, he is pretty much ineffective on offense... I also feel the same way about Amare too, BUT atleast Amare has become a consistent jump shooter. I can't say that about Marion.
Marion was a 20/10 player before Nash joined Suns. And what had Nash accomplished since the trade? Drop from 1st seed to 6th in 2 months and 1st round exit, then lottery. How about Nash gives half of his MVPs to Marion.
