Shawn Marion, I wuf you
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by user Jase
It's amazing how Shawn Marion keeps popping up in trade rumors each and every year (twice a year, even--during Draft season and towards the trade deadline). It's not like he's disgruntled about his place on his team and is asking to be dealt. As a matter of fact, he's not; the only thing that's starting to bother him is the perennial lack of recognition of his achievements as an individual player. Guess it really is tough to be the most expensive player on a squad that has yet to go all the way in the postseason.
With Draft Day '06 fast approaching, there's been a lot of noise dragging the Matrix's name around in the mix:
Chicago is one of the teams rumored to be involved in a Marion deal. Pieces involved would be Tyson Chandler and their top pick, the smokin' No. 2 overall. Yummy (the second pick, I mean), but nah. The Suns have only been an injury away from the Finals the past two seasons. I see no reason for them to start "building for the future" again. In any case, the article has also stated that Bulls GM John Paxson himself has denied any truth to this rumor.
Another rumor involves Seattle, and this one makes me a little nervous, because it actually makes sense--from a "payroll predicament" point of view, that is. This deal would send Marion and Brazilian beefcake Leandro Barbosa to the Sonics for Rashard Lewis and Danny Fortson and maybe a coupla picks (the Sonics have the No. 10 and 27 picks). Player-wise, of course, I'm not buying. 'Shard, if I remember, has been a little injury-prone of late, and Fortson... well, let's just say it might be nice to see a lot more Fortification* go in favor of the Suns, but no thanks. He's just not Phoenix Suns material, methinks.
What scares me about these rumors is that:
- - Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver might just be inclined to consider his payroll in the coming seasons, taking into consideration the likely re-signing of...
- - A very all-around (just like Shawn) and young (not much quite like Shawn) Boris Diaw, who was originally intended to be a backup guard, but is now a part of...
- - The now rather crowded frontline on the Suns roster. (I think it's a little crowded for a team that thrives on small ball
s.) The yet unanswered question of coexisting and sharing playing time for the big guys might convince the Suns organization to make some moves. Diaw's emergence last season might put a hurt on Marion's state on the team, but I know that's just crazy talk.
As always, I place my trust in Coach Mike D'Antoni (who I believe has also taken over GM duties for Phoenix; am I right?) to make the right decision--i.e. keep Marion, dammit. But also as always, I remain very concerned. D'Antoni, at least, is saying the right words so far by publicly stating that the Suns intend to hold on to Marion, despite being open to listening to offers.
Here's hoping for the best.
GO SUNS!
see the original article on EastRombo. The Blog with Balls
Source
- * links from hoopshype.com and supersonicsoul.com
Date
Wed 06/28/06, 4:57 am EST
