Shawn Marion: Matrix Reloaded For Dallas Mavericks

Shaun Marion was once asked would he like to be the third wheel on a contender or the main man on a lottery bound team and he shockingly chose the latter.

This was his mindset on his way out of Phoenix, a team he spent the first eight and a half years of his professional career with.  It was here he earned his nickname “The Matrix”.

Due to his gravity defying dunks which reminded some of Keanu Reeves’ Neo leaping from building to building.

It was here, in Phoenix, that he had the most successful performances averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds a game.

The 6’7” forward had his best season in 2005 – 2006 when he was top 20 in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes played.

He was selected four times to the all star team while he was a Sun.

His play was key to Phoenix’s return to prominence after several years on the lottery line. They made the conference finals twice and had the best record in the league, 62-20, in 2005-2006.

The down fall of this team might have been their success. After a few years of towing the line, management wanted to find the right piece to get them to an NBA championship.

The player they were most likely to trade was Shawn Marion. A fact that did not sit well with the player who felt he had given so much to this team.

Management felt in order to get that quality player they had to trade one of their three main contributors.

Steve Nash had just won two MVP awards and Amare Stoudamire was coming off microfracture surgery. Based on outside interest Marion was clearly the most valuable player to trade.

In 2007 after a summer of no trades but many rumors the versatile forward demanded to be traded.

His wish was granted mid season when he was sent to Miami, with Marcus Banks for Hall of fame bound, 4 time NBA champion, Shaquille O’Neal.

This was a bittersweet deal for Suns fans as they were sad to see the back of Marion but O’Neal made them a true force to be reckoned with.

Being a member of a lottery bound team could have only been a reality shock. The Matrix was expected to be second fiddle to only Dwayne Wade however things did not go as planned.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated he said “I was excited about going to Miami because it was a challenge and something new. Trying to fit in was hard at first, because when I first got there they were basically tanking the season.”

Indeed Miami would go on to Finished 5th in NBA Southeast Division with a record of 15-67. Marion averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds in 16 games for the Heat.

The Suns would go on to make the playoffs only to crash out in the first round to their arch enemy the San Antonio Spurs, the hump O’Neal was meant to get them over.

The 2008 Season started off promising for the Heat. They used their 2^nd pick in the first round to select a promising big man out of Kansas State by the name of Michael Beasley.

Sadly things did not go as planned and Marion was traded to the Toronto Raptors mid season for Jermaine O’Neal. The Forward was more understanding this time.

“The following year, it was a clean slate and everybody came in in shape and wanted to get to the postseason, and I knew it was going to happen. When I came in, they were the worst team in the league; and when I got traded, we were fighting for the No. 4 seed. But I know that's part of the deal. I knew I had a big contract and people wanted to clear up space, so if they weren't going to give me an extension, they might as well trade me.”

After an unsuccessful season with the Raptors he was sent to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign and trade deal, teaming him with another possible hall of fame bound point guard, Jason Kidd who said “He fits in well with this team and can guard many positions.”

Indeed the Mavericks have a veteran as along with Kidd they have Jason Terry who could be the ultimate sixth man, Josh Howard an All Star and German sensation Dirk Nowitski, the 2007 league MVP.

The Mavericks do not need Marion to be an all star however they would need him to reprise his Phoenix Suns’ form as a “do everything” forward.

Of his new start the 31 year old Marion Said “I just want to win now and get that ring on my finger, so I'm not even worried about the numbers anymore.

To date Dallas has won four games out of six and Marion is averaging 14 points and just fewer than 8 rebounds a game.