Now that Matrix got $80/6yr extension, the Sonics will have to up their offer to rashard. Sure, Marion is the better player and has better stats (20/10 vs 17/7) but what has been rumored to be Sonics's initial offer of $60/7yrs looks pretty low in comparison. That's $8.5M/yr vs $13.3 for Marion. Based on Marion's contract I would say rashard deserves something in the nighborhood of $10-10.5/yr which puts him around $70-75/7yrs. That should be his line in the sand and if Sonics don't do it then it's "I am homecoMING"
That could possibly occur, but if there is no other team who can offer him that kind of money. I could see the sonics calling his bluff.
Marion had an instant impact with the Suns and they want to keep it that way. Lewis just had his break-out season with the Sonics and they aren't sure they want to pay him so much.
There is big difference in 17/7 and 20/10. KT and Mo are 17/7 guys. Elton Brand is a 20/10 guy. Do you think KT and Mo are worth even close to Brand. Also the only other SF that put up those kind of rebounding numbers is Nowitski and Garnett.
Rashard Lewis is OVERRATED, he can't dribble worth a darn, he basically needs somebody to create a shot for him. Shawn Marion is way better than Rashard.
Lewis is also younger than Marion. Neither one is worth the contract they'll probably end up getting.
Marion is 24. Whoop-dee-do. Marion is every bit as raw of a player as Rashard is, and is more productive. They both have equally high ceilings, it's just that Marion has done more than Rashard has thus far. Like Rashard, Marion can't dribble worth a lick, yet he averages more pts? Marion can rebound, defend, and run the floor better than Lewis. Really, the only thing Lewis does better than Marion is shoot. I know this might be contradicting what I said above, but I feel that Marion will be a star, IF he can ever put the ball on the floor. Being 6 ft 7, might help Marion be able to do this easier than Lewis.
surely this relates to the fact Shard was straight from high school and Marion spent several years in college Shard will 23 next week and has played 4 years in the pros after coming straight from high school and picked in the second round. Averaged 17 and 7 in 2001-2 Marion is 24 and played 4 yeasr of college ball before the pros, and Averaged 19 and 10 in 2001-2, so really he should be averaging this much more than Lewis Lewis has the potential to put up better numbers than Marion
marion would be great on out team, but he cant shoot 3's. you know how rudy is about sf's shooting 3's.
Lewis is not half the defensive player Marion is. Granted, marion isn't Kevin Garnett, but he's leaps and bounds ahead of Lewis. For this reason, Marion is worth more than Lewis. if you want the MAX, you have to be able to play good D. Marion is great, and has room for more. But still. None of them are better than a 3rd wheel on a championship team.
NBA Insider from ESPN: Friday, August 2 Updated 8:45 AM EST Sad Sonics: Payton, Lewis still unhappy with team by Chad Ford Sonics fans, the anesthesia is wearing off. The euphoria of the Vin Baker trade is dissipating and the ecstasy from dumping Baker is now quickly being replaced by the realization that the Sonics look like they could be in big trouble. Owner Howard Schultz, CEO Wally Walker and GM Rick Sund spent four hours Thursday trying to convince free agent Rashard Lewis to take their money, but left Houston without a signed agreement. "I think it was a healthy discussion as both sides got together and got to share some thoughts," Sund told the Seattle Post Intelligencer. "Basically, we came away that we're going to have more discussions in the future." Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who is trying to sign Lewis, saw things a little differently. "All I know is they went home with nothing done," Cuban told the Seattle Times. "And I hope to talk to them [Lewis and agent Carl Poston] tomorrow." While Cuban still thinks the odds are long that Lewis will turn down the Sonics' seven-year, $60 million offer for the Mavs' three-year, $15 million contract, the chances of Lewis bolting Seattle get better by the minute. Lewis isn't the only one furious with Sonics management. Gary Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, finally got around to talking publicly about the Sonics' decision to veto an extension for Payton. Insider first reported last week that Sund had told Goodwin that the team would let Payton play out his contract this year and then discuss re-signing him next summer. The Sonics want to keep their options open so that they can make a run at Jason Kidd next summer. Goodwin, who claims Schultz told him the team wanted Payton to end his career in Seattle, is furious. He told the Tacoma News Tribune in today's editions that Payton won't re-sign with the Sonics next summer if he doesn't get an extension. He also said it may be time for the team to trade Payton while it can still get some value for him. "Absolutely not, Gary is not going to come back if he does not get an extension," Goodwin said. "I think that is what [the Sonics] are betting on, but I think it is a similar situation with Rashard right now. For Howard to meet with Gary, and for that to be contradicted left a bad taste in Gary's mouth. It made him realize they are not interested in his future as a Sonic. The Sonics have become a numbers team and we respect that. But if that is the case, it only makes sense for them to look to move him to a team where he can continue to flourish." Payton's unhappiness with the team could have a major impact on Lewis's decision? The two are friends, and at one point in the season, Lewis said he'd be reluctant to re-sign with the Sonics if they didn't take care of Payton. But more important, Lewis has a strong sense of loyalty. He already feels that the Sonics' contract offer didn't reward him for the loyalty he showed the club two summers ago when he turned down a big deal with the Raptors. The Sonics' unwillingness to take care of Payton could be perceived the same way. Payton, who makes $11.6 million this season, is in the last year of his contract, making his situation extremely favorable for a trade. If Lewis does decide to leave the Sonics, a team source has told Insider that they will definitely shop Payton to jump start the rebuilding process. With so many veteran teams in desperate need of a point guard, the Sonics should find plenty of takers for Payton. The key for them is getting some talented young players in return. The team is already set at two guard with Desmond Mason, one forward slot with Vladimir Radmanovic and at center with Jerome James and Calvin Booth. What the Sonics really need is a young, up-and-coming point guard and a solid low-post offensive player to round out the squad. What could the Sonics get for Payton? The Pacers think they have the weapons to make a big run in the East. What they really need is a veteran point guard to run the show. They may be willing to give up Jamaal Tinsley, Jonathan Bender and Austin Croshere to get their hands on the Glove. Payton and Reggie Miller would give them one of the most dangerous and experienced backcourts in the league. In return, the Sonics get a stud point guard, Bender, a 7-foot sharp-shooting athlete who oozes potential, and Croshere. While the Sonics won't be thrilled with adding Croshere's long-term deal, he isn't a stiff. He just couldn't get out of Isiah Thomas' doghouse. Bucks coach George Karl has coveted Payton for years and would trade anyone on the roster with the exception of Ray Allen to get him. A trade of Payton and Brent Barry to the Bucks for Sam Cassell and Tim Thomas would work under the cap. If the Sonics made this trade, they could let Lewis slip away and they'd still have money under the cap to pursue a top-flight free agent next summer. The Blazers, who have been trying to acquire Payton forever, could also put together a package of Derek Anderson, Zach Randolph and Qyntel Woods that would make some sense for the Sonics. The Warriors, Knicks and Heat all covet Payton as well, but they don't really have the young talent to work out a trade
It will be really interesting to see what happens with the Sonics and Payton and Lewis. Things are getting really interesting. Hopefully the Sonics will implode which gives the Rockets an even better chance at the Playoffs. Chris
There shouldnt even be a comparison between Lewis and Marion. Marion is much much much better than Lewis. There are even some analysts who felt that Marion should receive the max.
Marion's a stud. I wish he were a Rocket. But he isn't. That sucks. What a world what a world. Maybe (hope I don't get flayed for this) Seattle will take one of those offers (Tinsley/Croshere/Bender ain't a bad deal) for Payton; could you get around Rashard's BYC if you jumped in with Rice or Mo or whomever and made this a sort-of three way deal?
If I was Seattle and that Portland deal (Anderson, Randolph, Woods) is on the table, I would do it in a heartbeat. The window to win a championship in Seattle with Payton is probably closed, and this way you get two good talents and Anderson, who is a pretty solid player.
