| Marion Is Right And Should Remain A Sun Authored by Jeremy Killey - September 28, 2007 - 2:14 pm
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However, one of the drawbacks of making these athletes larger than life is assuming that money is the great solution to all problems big and small. In truth, these guys grapple with the exact same emotional issues as any of the rest of us at our jobs. And therein lies the need for perspective.
There isn’t a company in the world that doesn’t have workers with petty differences, or who have issues with their bosses, or who feel under-appreciated for their contributions to the success of the business. It’s real life, it’s what happens in any business environment whether the employees make minimum wage, $80,000 a year, or millions. Every person worth hiring has a desire and a need to be appreciated for what they bring to the table and recognized for their contributions. This is where perspective applies, because the digits on that paycheck every 1st and 15th don’t matter, this is what we all want, THIS is where we find personal worth in our jobs.
Should Shawn Marion be demanding a trade from the Phoenix Suns? Of course not. He is a fabulously and uniquely skilled player who has made four All-Star teams and been an anchor of the Suns franchise for eight seasons. He thrives in a system that has taken the Suns to the brink of the championship for three straight years and is a favorite to contend yet again. He is perfect for the Suns and the Suns are perfect for him.
Every NBA fantasy player knows the truth about The Matrix - no forward in the league will post better numbers. He does it in the most unusual of methods, so unusual that we don’t even know how he makes it happen. But, year in and year out, whether it be Kidd, Marbury, Nash, or no one, Marion will put up his 19/11/2 and 2 and shoot 50% along the way. All while successfully guarding guys bigger than him, tougher than him, smaller than him, and quicker than him.
For a Suns team thinking title entering the 2007-08 season, Marion’s unique talents are absolutely indispensable. They must have his rebounding, his off the ball scoring efficiency, and his ability to guard guys his teammates are unwilling or unable to guard to win it tall. The simple truth is that, on a team with 1st team All-NBA’ers in Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash, Marion IS under-appreciated. He brings irreplaceable value to this team and the style they play that goes beyond the box score he so admirably fills up.
Yes, The Matrix is hurt by incessant trade rumors with his name being mentioned. And yes, on many levels he’s a third wheel behind Stoudemire and Nash. That should hurt him. Marion is, by far, the longest tenured Sun. All he has done is show up every day, play hard, and constantly improve to the point of being a true NBA superstar. Think back really hard and answer this question: When was the last time Shawn Marion was in the news for being arrested, beating his wife, or having marijuana in his carry-on? Heck, when did you ever see Shawn Marion get a technical foul? The fact is, Marion has been the model of a professional athlete, all while playing his entire career with just one team. Something almost as unique as his basketball skills.
And yet, the Suns’ franchise consistently points to the 2-time MVP Nash and freakishly athletic Stat as the faces of the organization. Who wouldn’t be hurt by that? Marion was here first, fought through the hard times, and bled purple and orange when the Suns were nowhere near the Solar Express media darling they are today.
Jack McCallum’s absolutely brilliant piece :07 Seconds of Less clearly defines the sensitive nature of Marion on numerous occasions. He is a player, but more importantly a man, that needs to feel appreciated for his contributions at work. The incessant trade talk of the past several summers would wear on anyone but especially a sensitive person such as Marion regardless of the contract signed or the amount of money being siphoned into one’s bank account.
The reality, however, is simple; Marion has not been traded because no matter how much conversation is had, no matter how many teams and players become involved, no trade offer is worth moving The Matrix. There are 29 teams that want him and one that is lucky enough to have him. Marion knows it and deep down, all Suns’ fans and Suns’ management know it as well. And ultimately, it’s why Marion will be there should the Suns win it all in 07-08. That can be called perspective. |
