Inarguably, Shawn Marion is one of the most gifted players in the NBA: he's got the quickest second jump in the game; he's consistently among the League leaders in rebounding (despite playing the small forward position); he can guard just about any position on the floor; he scores nearly 20 points a night without having a single play run for him; and without him, the Phoenix Suns would not be title contenders and Nash wouldn't have 2 MVP's to his name.The problem, you see, is that casual fans don't know who the hell this guy is. When most people think of the Suns, Nash and Amare come to mind. What people fail to realize, however, is that Marion might be the most important player on the team. And he's mad that you're not aware of this.
"I want the recognition," says Marion. "I feel I've done what it takes to get it, but for some reason it hasn't happened."When asked if he'd rather play the role of Kobe (a celebrated scorer on a team needing to scratch and claw its way into the playoffs) instead of the one he's been assigned in Phoenix, he gives a refreshingly honest response:
"Wow, that's interesting...That would be an interesting situation to be in, to really show people what I can do."It's not everyday that a pro athlete will give this straight of answer to an obviously loaded question, but Marion pulls no punches. Add the fact that despite wanting all of the individual accolades that have alluded him, he still plays a completely selfless and team-oriented game, how can you not root for the guy? Do me a favor: next time you watch a Suns game in person, tell Shawn Marion that he's awesome.
Previously at the Fanhouse:
Shawn Marion Showers Himself With Praise.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-16-2007 @ 2:41AM
michel said...
Marion is totally appreciated in PHX! His problem with a perceived lack of recognition might have more to do with playing in PHX and how the NBA promotes its "stars" than anything to do with him personally.
NBA marketers and Network wonks no longer focus all that much on teams. Its all about LeBron, Kobe, DWade, Agent Zero and their larger than life personal exploits and stats. Certain teams have had some sort of success- recent or near-recent sometimes retain a bit of a mystique as well.
Phoenix never really gets any respect even when they're doing well. Yea, the Suns have had stars but even Nash and Amaré are kind of 2nd tier stars behind marketer favorites like Kobe, DWade, LeBron, etc., even if these other teams aren't having near the season the Suns are having.
Even though they have the 2nd best record in the league, nobody thinks they'll go anywhere in the playoffs. Not being one to talk conspiracy thoeries, all the same, its interesting to see how the calls go for some teams in a tough series. Certainly the marketers would be WAY more pleased if one of their flashier stars were to do well in the playoffs.
If Marion decides he wants to go elsewhere, I'd be really sorry to see him go but I guess I'd have to wish him luck for all he's done at PHX. All the same, he might want to be careful what he wishes for. Being the big dog in a poor or mediocre team may not be all he'd hope it to be.
Would be nice to see the Suns go all the way but even winning a ring will not likely get either the Suns or Marion the respect they deserve.
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4-16-2007 @ 10:53AM
Menudo Terremoto Williams said...
The main reason that most astute NBA observers do not give Shawn Marion the "superstar" status that he's been pining for is that he's a regular season monster and a "deer in the headlights" during playoff time.
According to recent analysis, http://www.truehoop.com/leaguewide-issues-75850-who-is-playing-harder-in-the-playoffs.html
Shawn Marion is the 5th worst playoff performer in the NBA as compared tot his regular season stats.
It comes down to how big your stones are...Marion is not a crunch-time player. He's the 5th or 6th option on his own team in the last 2 minutes of a close game. Whereas, Sam Cassell carries his with with hands and his forearms, the Matrix needs only the fingernail of his pinky.
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4-16-2007 @ 7:35PM
tim said...
wow "nate dog"... that was very thoughtful analysis.
marion should check in with joe johnson and see what being the big man in atlanta is doing for his recognition factor. you'd think an invitation to the all star game and the ability to play on a team with two of the better players in the league would be enough. i love the matrix, but really he should go cry into a big bag of money and then get his head right for the playoffs.
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4-16-2007 @ 7:52PM
FDANAYSAYERS said...
I scratch my head at the thought that Marion isn't that respected in the league..He's a top 10 player, no more, no less. The Suns are lost without him and are stupid if they trade him in the offseason
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4-19-2007 @ 4:58PM
JP said...
There are so many reasons that...Marion ( i had to look it up to get the spelling right, what a joke) will never be popular. I dont have nearly enough time to go into all of them, so i will touch on the top 3.
1. He is frickin ugly! The guy looks like a prehistoric animal every time he gets his picture taken. A word of advice dude, close your frickin yapper!
2. Speaking of ugly, he has the ugliest stroke in NBA history! I puke all over myself every time i see this idiot shoot the ball...
3. So many others hit on this obvious one, he is an absolute choke artist come playoff time. The guy disappears, so much so that i find it hard to believe otherteams just done leave him alone and double team someone else all the time. He cant buy baskets, which will be the number one reason why nobody wopuld take this guy from Phoenix, he sucks in the month of May.
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4-28-2007 @ 1:27AM
nate dog said...
Shawn if u wanna leave then leave, but ur nobody without Steve, and Amari
go to Portland, and help out the at Sf, but u can never be like Kobe, u want to be a scorer but ur not
but u would help out with a great team.. u need sum1 to be sum1.. Kobe-Shaq, Dwayne-Shaq, Tim-Tony, and you and Steve
and shawn ur not the mvp Steve Nash is gonna win it, 3 times
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5-07-2007 @ 12:05AM
Tim said...
Shawn Marion = most overrated underrated player in NBA history.
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