Marion: 'Time for me to move on' - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

dirt_dobber · 09-26-2007, 06:20 AM

Marion: 'Time for me to move on'
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns...marion-ON.html

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 25, 2007 09:30 PM
Shawn Marion trade talk is one thing. A Marion trade request is quite another.

Marion is fed up with another summer of the Suns considering to trade him. Marion is irked that the team is not willing to talk about a contract extension. After eight years in Phoenix, Marion wants to leave the Suns and has let the team know in recent weeks.

"I'm tired of hearing my name in trades," Marion said by phone from his Chicago home Tuesday night. "I love my fans in Phoenix but I think it's time for me to move on."

Marion, the highest paid Suns player, has two years remaining on his maximum-level contract - $16.4 million for this year and a $17.8 million salary if he did not opt out before the 2008-09 season. He said the Suns' unwillingness to extend his deal is "only a part of why" he wants to leave but would not confirm that he has asked for a three-year, $60 million extension, saying, "The numbers aren't important."

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr declined comment.

There are two known trade suitors in the Utah Jazz (for Andrei Kirilenko, if not others) and the Los Angeles Lakers (for Lamar Odom and a teammate), with Marion showing an interest in the latter because of a friendship with Kobe Bryant.

"Regardless of everything that went on with the extension, I'm tired of hearing my name in trade rumors," Marion said. "It's time for me to move on. I felt like they tried to force my hand to Boston with the (Kevin) Garnett stuff."

In June, there was the possibility of a three-way trade sending Garnett to Phoenix, a Boston pick package going to Minnesota and Marion to Boston with a contract extension but the Marion camp killed it.

"I haven't done anything wrong," said Marion, a four-time All-Star. "I leave it on the floor night in and night out. Sometimes, it's just time, and it's time to go. "It's been like a nightmare. It hurts me making this phone call. It's hurting me in my stomach."

Marion said he has no problem with any of his teammates but did not want to comment on the Suns staffers, saying, "It's just a bad marriage. I'm not talking about anyone. It's just time for me to go."

He said he has talked to Kerr, Coach Mike D'Antoni and Managing Partner Robert Sarver.

There is a strong possibility that no trade occurs this week and Marion is asked to come to work Monday, the mandatory reporting date, and join the quest for a championship.

"I'll do what I've got to do," Marion said, noting he would show up no sooner than required. "I'm a professional. I'm not bitter. I love the fans but I've got to take care of me."

With Boris Diaw expected to be in today, each Suns player but Marion will be in Phoenix this week for the voluntary workouts. Some, like Grant Hill, Steve Nash and Amaré Stoudemire, have been coming into the arena for weeks.

Marion, 29, pulled himself off the USA Basketball roster for a second straight summer this year. He cited the plantar fasciitis in his left foot ("I played all season with that," Marion said Tuesday) in early July, when talk of his dissatisfaction with the lack of extension talks began to surface.

In Kirilenko and Odom, the Suns are looking at versatile forwards with different skill sets and financial factors.

Kirilenko, who is even more disgruntled with Utah this summer, is a former All-Star coming off a career-worst season, but is a great defender with a knack for shot-blocking. He does not shoot well from the perimeter but is a crafty scorer inside at 6 feet 9 and can run the floor. Kirilenko, 26, is due $63 million over the next four years. That would give Phoenix some instant relief but create later payroll issues.

Odom, who is 6-10 and 27 years old, is a superb passer and good shooter who can play various positions but has been inconsistent, depending on how assertive he plays. Odom has two years remaining on his deal at $13.2 million this season and $14.1 million in 2008-09.

bradleywillcrushyou44 · 09-26-2007, 06:42 AM

cool, they will have no one to guard dirk.

DevinHarriswillstart · 09-26-2007, 07:18 AM

Yeah trading for Kirilenko makes 0 sense money wise. Their issues with Marion are mainly money related.

MavsX · 09-26-2007, 07:21 AM

hmmm, where could he possibly go?

Jack.Kerr · 09-26-2007, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Yeah trading for Kirilenko makes 0 sense money wise. Their issues with Marion are mainly money related.

It sounds like more than money.

dirt_dobber · 09-26-2007, 08:28 AM

discord in Suns-land.......yeah buddy!

DevinHarriswillstart · 09-26-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack.Kerr

It sounds like more than money.

The point later in the article was to trade for Kirilenko though....something that makes no sense at all for the money conservative Suns.

TripleDipping · 09-26-2007, 08:49 AM

Why would the Lakers want to trade Odom for Marion? That move would benefit the Suns but not the Lakers. Unless Odom wants out of LA as well, I don't see how this deal would work.

Jack.Kerr · 09-26-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

The point later in the article was to trade for Kirilenko though....something that makes no sense at all for the money conservative Suns.

I meant "more than money" from Marion's perspective.

There must be some putrid team chemistry out there with Stoudemire, Marion, D'Antoni, etc.

Nash is earning his money. And it would be interesting to watch Marion's production without Nash feeding him for layups and dunks.

MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs · 09-26-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleDipping

Why would the Lakers want to trade Odom for Marion? That move would benefit the Suns but not the Lakers. Unless Odom wants out of LA as well, I don't see how this deal would work.

Strange I totally see it the opposite. I think Marion is a better player than Odom. I think this makes the Lakers slightly better and the Suns slightly worse. Marion is obviously a better fit for the Suns system than Odom would be. So as a Mavs fan I hope this trade goes through.

AxdemxO · 09-26-2007, 09:25 AM

I think both are good players...but ODOM is a better offensive player and can do more on his own and he is a better passer..while Marion is a better defender and ODOM is pretty good too

IMO Odom>Marion because of his skill set...not by much thou

mcsluggo · 09-26-2007, 09:54 AM

I think they are both more valuable where they are (a trade that makes BOTH teams worse)

Marion fills specific needs/holes for the Suns: rebounding and D (imagine what their D would look like without him) while he still manages to fit into their up tempo slashing style offensive game.

Odom is better at court vision and passing, a key skill for bigs in the triangle, but not at all a need for a team that is run by Steve Nash.

Both teams get worse.... get it done!

Underdog · 09-26-2007, 10:32 AM

Let me be the first to beat this notion into the ground:

The Mavs were never in the Marion race in the first place...

alby · 09-26-2007, 10:34 AM

If you trade Marion for Odom--Marion will be not be close to the player he is now because he will not have a creator to get him his shots. Kobe can fill that role, but you know when he is in that Laker yellow, he creates but mostly for himself. Odom on the other hand, he would fit very well with the Suns and their system. Can you imagine Nash resting, letting Barbosa worry about scoring, and Odom handling the ball.

fluid.forty.one · 09-26-2007, 12:03 PM

"It's hurting me in my stomach"

lol

MavsX · 09-26-2007, 12:04 PM

The Mavs were never in the Marion race in the first place

jcb6386 · 09-26-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alby

If you trade Marion for Odom--Marion will be not be close to the player he is now because he will not have a creator to get him his shots. Kobe can fill that role, but you know when he is in that Laker yellow, he creates but mostly for himself. Odom on the other hand, he would fit very well with the Suns and their system. Can you imagine Nash resting, letting Barbosa worry about scoring, and Odom handling the ball.

Totally agree - I honestly think this trade would make the Suns a little better offensively (if that's possible) and the Lakers would find out that Marion can't do what he used to because he no longer has Nash feeding him the ball. He could help a little defensively, though, but this is a better trade overall for the Suns.

Tokey41 · 09-26-2007, 12:34 PM

This is excellent... the Suns aren't going to get anything good in return for Marion unless it's the Jazz and AK (which would suck... but he wouldn't be as good a fit in their system anyway).

Anyway he is way overpaid... anyone see any takers for him?

Flacolaco · 09-26-2007, 12:38 PM

Why does he want Batman money? He is robin....

Dtownsfinest · 09-26-2007, 12:39 PM

A Marion for Odom trade is a great deal for both teams. Gives Kobe a legit role player who can give a double double every night and it gives the Suns a point foward type in Odom.

DelNegro · 09-26-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcb6386

Totally agree - I honestly think this trade would make the Suns a little better offensively (if that's possible) and the Lakers would find out that Marion can't do what he used to because he no longer has Nash feeding him the ball. He could help a little defensively, though, but this is a better trade overall for the Suns.

Marion's pre-Nash numbers were pretty damn good. All-star good.

jthig32 · 09-26-2007, 01:08 PM

I think a trade to the Lakers would improve the Lakers tremendously, and hurt the Suns considerably.

Marion is a big part of what makes things work in Phoenix.

Dtownsfinest · 09-26-2007, 01:11 PM

What does Marion make work in Phoenix lol? His presence on the defensive end as far as rebounding, steals and blocks go will be missed but its not like the Suns use defense to win games anyway.

bernardos70 · 09-26-2007, 01:12 PM

That's what I was thinking. Marion was no slouch without Nash.

ty · 09-26-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

discord in Suns-land.......yeah buddy!

woohoo

bernardos70 · 09-26-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

What does Marion make work in Phoenix lol? His presence on the defensive end as far as rebounding, steals and blocks go will be missed but its not like the Suns use defense to win games anyway.

But it isn't like they can forego defense completely. At least Marion brings some semblance of it.

chumdawg · 09-26-2007, 01:31 PM

If the Suns are smart, they will realize that Nash and Amare are never going to reach their true potential until they get out Marion's shadow. Just let the guy go, Suns, so your stars can get even better!

Flacolaco · 09-26-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

If the Mavs are smart, they will realize that Dirk is never going to reach his true potential until they get out of Nash's shadow. Just let the guy go, Mavs, so your stars can get even better!

Couldn't resist....

DelNegro · 09-26-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernardos70

But it isn't like they can forego defense completely. At least Marion brings some semblance of it.

Exactly. Someone's got to cover up Nash and Amare defensively and Raja Bell can't do it alone. Not that anyone was ever going to confuse the Suns with a good defensive team, but the Suns were actually middle of the pack last year in terms of opponents field goal percentage. Moving Marion would put them back near the bottom and even if your calling card is offense, giving up more points doesn't make you better.

nowhereman · 09-26-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Why does he want Batman money? He is robin....

sweet. rep rep rep.

Nash13 · 09-26-2007, 02:35 PM

Odom's not even that much of an upgrade on offense. Odom and Marion average around the same ppg. I mean, sure his passing would be nice to have, but it'll come at a cost. The more he has the ball, the less Amare and Nash have it.

nowhereman · 09-26-2007, 02:38 PM

They could trade him for Joe Johnson?

i don't think either kirilenko or odom have the outside shootinig that really gave marion his offensive niche with nash. odom moreso than kirilenko, but i don't think either is sufficient.

FINtastic · 09-26-2007, 03:29 PM

I think people are overlooking these two factors:

Quote:

Marion's pre-Nash numbers were pretty damn good. All-star good.

Quote:

I think a trade to the Lakers would improve the Lakers tremendously, and hurt the Suns considerably.

Marion is a big part of what makes things work in Phoenix.

Marion's incredible versatility helps Phoenix get away with a lot of things - point guard that can't defend, an incredibly up-tempo system, and Stoudemires injury in 2006. Heck, I know all anyone remembers from Game Six of the 2005 Suns-Mavs series is Dirk's towel throwing and Nash's shot to send the Game to OT, but Stoudemire had fouled out in OT. The Suns were just able to plug Marion right into the pick-and-roll in Stoudemire's place, and they never missed a beat. Marion I think had 35 or 40 when it was all said and done.

And for those who say the Suns don't play defense anyways... The stats don't necessarily bear that out. IIRC, they grade out at least to be an average defensive team, in large part due to the fact that Marion can cover almost any position on the court. Plus, Marion gives them some much needed rebounding needed from a lineup that isn't great at rebounding due to its lack of size.

I don't really see Odom improving the Suns all that much. They basically have poor man's version of Odom who is rotting on the bench in Boris Diaw. Trading for him would render Boris Diaw completely worthless. Moreover, I've always thought Odom was a major underachiever. I guess he can make up for Marion's rebounding, but I don't really see him as being able to replace Marion's defensive versatility.

purplefrog · 09-26-2007, 03:31 PM

The Suns might want to consider a trade to the Lakers involving Marion for Radmonovic and Kwame Brown. Vlade gives them another legitimate 3pt threat and Brown gives them a decent backup for Amare. Brown's salary also comes off the books after this year and Odom seems to be injury prone. Also Radmonovic's defensive prowess fits in perfectly with the Suns' philosophy.

ty · 09-26-2007, 03:39 PM

Radmon would be good for run and gun.

Janett_Reno · 09-26-2007, 04:58 PM

Marion with the Suns is one of the best players in the nba and can he be one of the best players in the nba without a great point guard? He fills ever stat sheet that is known to man. Can he without a great point guard? Marion is one of the best defenise players in the nba and a very good rebounder. Without Marion, can the Suns get any rebounds?

Do not get me wrong, i do not mind seeing him leave because then it is much easier on Dirk and we should get past the Suns easier. Lamar Odom is good and solid but Nash is so blessed to have a man that can jump out of the roof and Marion is so blessed to have Nash. I do not think Odom will run to the rim dunking every other time down like Marion does with Nash. Nash hits him perfectly at the rim. In other areas i feel Odom is very good. Marion seems to never get tired running up and down on offense or defense.

Marion will be much better in the Suns system than Odom in the Suns system, i feel. AK-47 gets up and down the court good on offense and defense and yes he will be dunking alot on the end of Nash passes. Maybe not as good as Marion but lots better than Odom. Odom and Marion gets hot outside alot of times and this is where AK-47 could be lacking some. I feel AK would be good getting up and down in the open court run and gun but can he be consistent on his outside shot?

This could be a huge mistake for the Suns if they get rid of Marion. I also know Nash would make AK and Odom even better but just how good?

DevinFuture · 09-26-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by chumdawg
If the Mavs are smart, they will realize that Dirk is never going to reach his true potential until they get out of Nash's shadow. Just let the guy go, Mavs, so your stars can get even better!

Couldn't resist....

wicked burn

Nash13 · 09-26-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DelNegro

Marion's pre-Nash numbers were pretty damn good. All-star good.

You got to remember that he still had pretty good point guards before Nash. He had Maubury when he was dishing out 8-9apg, and i believe he had Kidd when he 1st came into the league.

fluid.forty.one · 09-27-2007, 12:21 AM

Either way Marion leaving the Suns hurts the team and the system.. so I'm all for it.

FINtastic · 09-27-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nash13

You got to remember that he still had pretty good point guards before Nash. He had Maubury when he was dishing out 8-9apg, and i believe he had Kidd when he 1st came into the league.

He also had a out of control rookie point guard Leandro Barbosa running the team the second half of the season before Nash arrived.