He came into the league the same year as Rafer Alston, and only TWICE has he shot the 3 pointer at a better percentage. 01-02 Marion shot 39% on threes, to Alstons 38% 05-06 his 33.1% surpassed Alstons 32.7%. Marion is 33% for his career (Alston is 35.7). So I completely disagree that the guy has a 'killer shot'. He's a very good defender and hustler who relies on his athleticism to compete - at 6'7 is a genuine 'tweener' who is best suited to the "spot shooting PF role" in offense but can't really defend the bigger bodies at that position and is best suited to a perimeter defensive game who brings great hustle in the passing lanes and weakside shot-blocking. No doubt he's a good player - but it takes a certain type of team for him to fit right in really well. Personally I think he's well suited at the Heat alongside Beasley in the frontcourt - but if that's not working out so well then you've got to be worried about his ability to fit right in with another team!
I don't see Cleveland doing that trade, though it makes sense for Miami given their frontcourt situation. That said I don't think there is much market for Wally Sczerbiak's (sp?) expiring contract. There have been exceptions but teams don't usually trade bona fide stars for expirings--unless of course they have serious baggage. Teams have mostly eaten their expiring contracts in the past few years, and those that did not usually wound up much worse off (Warriors shouldn't have traded Dale Davis for Baron Davis; the Knicks should've let their contracts expire instead of flipping them for underachieving losers; etc). If the Cavs want talent they need to yield talent. A healthy, motivated Varejao is their second-best player, though I suppose Cleveland thinks Wallace can replace him. I wouldn't trade him for Shawn Marion.
When did he ever have a killer shot? Seriously, it made me laugh watching Suns home games when their crowd would groan each time Marion chucked up a 3-pointer. Kind of what I do every time Rafer shoots from anywhere.
I'd do it in a heartbeat, i might be the minority here but Marion is a lot better than Wally, losing a 4 hurts, but they do have a good rookie backing them up. they have enough size. they are a better team with Marion.
What is funny is Varejao seems to be the most underrated player in the deal. Excellent defensive player and rebounder who is efficient in the relatively low number of shots he gets. He would help Miami a lot. He also has an option I believe, like 6.3 mil next year. I'd say almost 50/50 he takes it, but it isn't bad value if he does. 1st, as other have said, Marion has never been a good outside shooter. At his best he was an average/marginal shooter, the guy on Phx you wanted taking outside shots. 2nd, Marion was an excellent to almost great player when he had freakish athleticism. Now he merely has above average athleticism. Still a decent player all around who can give you lots of decent minutes, but nothing special at all. I think if there was truth to it (and if they knew AV would leave and felt Marion was more to LJ liking I can see it), Cleveland nixed it once Z went down.
I heard that too. If they lose Varejao they lose the only hustle player, offensive boarder on that team. Not worth giving wally's size and shooting for a rent a player that is STREAKY.
