Matrix retires - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Thespiralgoeson · 06-19-2015, 12:36 AM

Quote:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13...ing-16-seasons

Marc Stein, ESPN Senior Writer

26K Shares
Email
Print
Comment

Four-time NBA All-Star Shawn Marion told ESPN.com via text message Thursday that he intends to go through with his plans to retire after completing his 16th season.

"Hell yeah," Marion said.
Shawn Marion averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds over his 16-year career. Casey Sapio/USA TODAY Sports

The 37-year-old went unused by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the just-completed NBA Finals in his only season with the Cavs, but assembled an outstanding career highlighted by a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

Marion, though, is probably best known for his 8½ seasons with the Phoenix Suns, who drafted him No. 9 overall in 1999 with a draft pick they ironically acquired from Dallas in the 1998 trade that made Steve Nash a Maverick. He initially revealed his intention to retire in a January interview with the Arizona Republic.

He told the newspaper at the time that he believed he could play another two or three seasons but that being away from his first child, infant son Shawn, convinced him it was time to walk away.

"I wanted to go out on my terms," Marion told the newspaper. "The biggest thing is having a son. I got attached to him. Seeing him periodically is hard. Watching him grow up on pictures and videos is hard."

One of the league's foremost two-way players at his peak, Marion weighed retiring after leaving the Mavericks last summer but opted in the end to sign with Cleveland in hopes of winning a second ring and because of the proximity to his son, who lives in Chicago.

All four of his All-Star seasons came in Phoenix, three of them after the Suns reacquired Nash and flanked him with Marion and Amar'e Stoudemire in a revolutionary offense under coach Mike D'Antoni.

Marion's time in the desert came to an end when he was the centerpiece of a trade with Miami in 2008 that brought Shaquille O'Neal to the Suns, with a brief stint in Toronto to follow before he spent five seasons in Dallas. Marion also earned a trip to the Olympics in 2004 as a member of Team USA's bronze-medal team in Greece.

Not exactly shocking news, but worthy of mention considering how important he was to the Mavs for the years he was here. He had a hell of an NBA career- probably deserves to be in HOF.

spreedom · 06-19-2015, 08:50 AM

Probably my second-favorite Maverick of all-time. Happy trails!

Underdog · 06-19-2015, 09:12 AM

Matrix calling LeBron a "bitch" during the Finals is one of my favorite sports moments ever...

Robillion · 06-19-2015, 01:20 PM

The man deserves an awesome retirement party in both Phoenix and Dallas. I remember being so stoked having him join the Mavs. Went to a preseason game just to get the first in-person glimpse of him as a Mav in action.

I'll never forgot his ugly shooting mechanics and all his bunny-shot misses at the rim. But, overall he was a really great addition. His best season as a Mav was in 2011, and we likely wouldn't have won a championship without him.

DevinHarriswillstart · 06-19-2015, 02:04 PM

This belongs in the Mavs section since his time with Cleveland was rather meaningless.

He's a Mav for life. Provided much needed rebounding and defense that the team couldn't live without.

Underdog · 06-19-2015, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

This belongs in the Mavs section since his time with Cleveland was rather meaningless.

He's a Mav for life. Provided much needed rebounding and defense that the team couldn't live without.

Agreed & agreed.

I wanted Matrix here for years -- always thought he'd be a perfect fit next to Dirk (also because he was the closest thing in the league to a "Dirk-stopper" at the time)... Not only did we eventually get him, but he played a crucial role in slowing down some of the best players in the history of basketball (Kobe, Durant, LeBron) on our way to winning a title.

I have no doubt that he lands in the Basketball Hall of Fame, but I'd also love to see his jersey hanging in the AAC rafters... Sure, he spent his peak years playing for Phoenix, but he was far more important to Dallas when his career was said and done.

Jon Avalon · 06-19-2015, 02:42 PM

Out of all of the players acquired to build the Championship team, my favorite was definitely the Matrix. When the moment the trade was being announced and posted on the homepage of ESPN, I was so excited and knew he would be an important piece to the puzzle. Cheers Matrix!

Thespiralgoeson · 06-19-2015, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

This belongs in the Mavs section since his time with Cleveland was rather meaningless.

He's a Mav for life. Provided much needed rebounding and defense that the team couldn't live without.

His time in Cleveland was meaningless, but he spent the best years of his career with Phoenix. And a few years in Miami and Toronto as well. He spent less than 1/3 of his career with the Mavs, so for me it's more NBA news than specifically Mavs news.

But yes, he did help bring a championship here to Dallas, so he'll always have a special place in our memory.

j0Shi · 06-19-2015, 07:01 PM

Thanks for 2011!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXad82jsO34

Quetzalcoatl · 06-20-2015, 05:16 PM

Thank you very much Marion for all the great moments you gave us. Nothing but best for you!!!

GhostFace · 06-25-2015, 06:17 PM

Loved watching him on Phoenix and was stoked when he joined the Mavs. Guarded LBJ during those finals and gave him the business. Thanks for everything Matrix.

Kidd Karma · 06-25-2015, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robillion

The man deserves an awesome retirement party in both Phoenix and Dallas. I remember being so stoked having him join the Mavs. Went to a preseason game just to get the first in-person glimpse of him as a Mav in action.

I'll never forgot his ugly shooting mechanics and all his bunny-shot misses at the rim. But, overall he was a really great addition. His best season as a Mav was in 2011, and we likely wouldn't have won a championship without him.

No doubt about that ring. Ultimate pro, after starting an entire season in 2010, came in as the backup behind Butler in 10-11, didn't cry, came in and did his job.

jay3189 · 06-27-2015, 09:30 AM

I always excited to watch Shawn Marion play. His bread and butter was being an athletic defensive rebounding machine who could get to the lane as well. Average ball handler, bad passer at times, and inconsistent outside shooting. That being said I will take a Marion type player any day on my roster. True pro who is versatile. Some people may forget from 2004-2007, Marion had a 10 rebound average as a 6'7 small forward. And if I am not mistaken, he averaged 11 rebounds in the 2005-2006 season. That is insane.

Five-ofan · 07-11-2015, 12:44 AM

Absolutely loved the matrix before he became a mav and even more when he became a mav(read any of my posts about the 06 MVP stuff if you need confirmation)

Quietly One of the 100 best players in nba history and should be a slam dunk hofer though I'm not sure he will be.

Bryan_Wilson · 07-11-2015, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

Absolutely loved the matrix before he became a mav and even more when he became a mav(read any of my posts about the 06 MVP stuff if you need confirmation)

Quietly One of the 100 best players in nba history and should be a slam dunk hofer though I'm not sure he will be.

People talk about Monta being one of the better players to never make an all star. Matrix has to be one of the best defenders to never make an all defense team.