A real team in the Valley
“It’s sad to hear he wants go. We have a great team; we’re very close to winning a championship with everyone on board. All his teammates love him. Apparently he wants to be traded, but if he wants to come back, he’s got a bunch of guys who want him to be part of this. We have one goal, and when we get together (Monday) that will be the focus — not what’s happened or what’s been said in the papers.”
“It has to be frustrating when you hear your name in trade rumors year in and year out. But on the other side, it could be flattering that so many teams want you. If teams are willing to give up household names to get you, then obviously you’re doing something right.”
“He’s a great guy. I don’t think there will be any residue.”
As reported in two pieces by the East Valley Tribune’s Jerry Brown and Scott Bordow, those comments were made by the NBA’s best point guard, one of his starting swingman and their coach.
That is what Steve Nash, Raja Bell and Mike D’Antoni respectively had to say about Shawn Marion, the guy who made it perfectly clear that he wants out of a great situation in Phoenix. The guy who seems to think that playing sidekick to Kobe Bryant on a (maybe) 40-win team would beat being the highest-paid player on a legitimate title contender.
Imagine what these guys would say about a valued teammate who actually wasn’t currently making a fool of himself.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a team.
This is a group of individuals who understand that when it all comes down to it, the goal is staying together enough to bring home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. They understand that in order for that to happen, fifteen players and a coaching staff must be on the same wavelength. They understand that, as disgruntled as he may be right now, Shawn Marion is an inordinately valuable member of this team who will be very nearly impossible to replace.
Until further notice, Shawn Marion is a member of the Phoenix Suns. His teammates realize this. They realize that while he may be a generally good guy who is currently not thinking straight, he has a rather delicate psyche, to put it mildly. Which means that in order for them to get the most from him – and as a result, the most out of themselves as a team this season – they will have to embrace and perhaps even coddle him however they can.
It probably isn’t a permanent solution. It definitely isn’t the natural human reaction.
But it is the tact that is currently most conducive to this team being able to get off to a good start and do what it expects itself to do this season.
Take a lesson, Utah.
* * * * *
Previously at Taking it to the Rack: Bummed out in Utah
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on Friday, September 28th, 2007 at 12:01 am and is filed under NBA Trade Rumors, NBA Off-Season Moves, Taking It to the Rack, 2007 NBA Off-Season, East Valley Tribune, Scott Bordow, Jerry Brown, Mike D'Antoni, Shawn Marion, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, General NBA, Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Kobe Bryant, Blogroll.
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6 Responses to “A real team in the Valley”
September 28th, 2007 at 12:26 am
You have no idea how proud I was of Steve Nash, Raja Bell, and Mike D’Antoni for the words I read in that Tribune article. It reminded me why I became a Suns fan in the first place–there are so many guys on this team who are champions at heart, whether or not they will ever have a ring to show for it. I know there is probably some level of “they’re supposed to say that” in those quotes, but how many times have we seen these trade demands happen where the guy is just sent home until his request can be accommodated? That the possibility of trying to bring Marion back into the fold even exists speaks volumes about the character of his teammates. If Shawn has to go, then I hope whoever replaces him possesses a healthy dose of that same trait that has these guys extending such a massive olive branch a day after enduring the ultimate betrayal in sports. Thanks for taking time to write this piece. It’s great to see the attention back on the team, instead of on one individual’s misguided antics.
September 28th, 2007 at 1:39 am
I think it’s a 50-50 chance that he’ll get traded, IMO. He has a nasty taste in his mouth right now and wants to rid himself of it. This isn’t shocking. Marion like this the last couple of years, so we know it was bound to happen. He does have a point though. They give him the ball in the half court sets. In the playoffs against the Spurs when had that 21 point first half, he disappeared in the 2nd. They gave two or three looks in the entire 2nd half. It baffled me. The bigs of the Spurs were not doing anything to stop him and the Suns just went away from that. It was actually annoying to watch. I’m not a Suns fan, by the way. I’m actually a big Tim Duncan fan since his Wake days because he used to kill Maryland (I’m from Baltimore, Md). Anyway, I can understand his beef, even though the way he is going about it, might not be right.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Interesting contrast in organizational behavior (I am studying that in school). You have the Jazz on one hand, who are alienating AK47 for his retarded comments, and the Suns on the other who are supporting Matrix in spite if his stupidity. Makes you wonder what Stockton and Malone would say about it.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Shawn Marion IS a great talent, however his talent is exactly the same as it was when he came in to the league. He hasn’t worked on his game at all. He doesn’t put any effort into his offseason workout (i.e. Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash), not does he do anything to improve the team chemistry (the last one to report to camp every single year). I say a three way deal that sends him out east and brings a solid player back to us will be just fine, because Grant Hill will get some of those minutes along with the new guy we would get for him. Ideally Rasheed Wallace would be the perfect trade for the Suns but I doubt Detroit would do it.
September 28th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
I want to start off by saying that I am a huge Suns fan. Now, I love Shawn Marion and hope that he does retire a Sun and never dons another jersey. However, I am realistic in knowing this won’t happen since Marion is demaning a max extension/new contract starting next season and that just isn’t plausible for this team. I hate to say it, but he needs to take a page from the Spurs. Duncan is undeniably “The Man” there, and Manu and Tony Parker are the 2nd and 3rd best. Both secondary players took less than max contracts because they realize they are better if they all play together, and it is better for their careers as well. Plus, it is fun to win. Marion needs to realize that he can be an incredibly important component on a great team- he won’t be “The Man” but truthfully, with no ability to create his own shot or make those around him better, he is not deserving of that title. Also, Marion disappeared in the second half of Game 5 vs the Spurs because the Spurs wised up and put a a small man on Marion instead of a big. First half Marion was blowing by Oberto and Elison and Duncan all half long…. the Spurs then finally thought to put a smaller player on Trix and his speed was no longer a factor. Add that to the fact that he has no power moves or low-post game, and that is one easy way to take Marion out of the game. So yeah, I dunno, trade him….don’t trade him….it’s gonna be tough either way. If we do keep him- dear lord find a way for him to be effective when he is being guarded by a swingman :)
September 29th, 2007 at 2:55 am
Duane, ummm…..what are u talking about? What does talent have anything to do with him wanting to leave? He has improved various areas of his game while in the league. You can argue that Marion has been peaking since being in the league; from the get-go. He does everything that u want. Defends, hustles, unselfish, and gives u easy points without running a play for him. He is the key to ya’ll winning the championship. Hell, he’s been in great health for his entire career.
Harley Earl, Marion disappeared in the second half because the Suns didn’t give him the ball. That’s why. Marion has more to his game besides dunking. If the Suns gave him the ball more in the second half, the outcome might have been different. He took just 5 shots in the second half. When did Marion not have post game? He’s going to be on the block because Amare is down there. Also, how about getting a bench that produces instead of throwing the Pat Burkes of the world out there?! Oh, u don’t have to create your own shot to be “the Man”. Reggie Miller anyone?
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