Grading the Mavs' season: Shawn Marion

As he was decent on offense and relied often on Kidd’s playmaking abilities, his defense is actually good. I never really had the chance of extensively seeing his whole game before he came here, other than in that two years Dallas played Phoenix in the playoffs (where he played many minutes in the 4 position); but I have to say that I am quite impressed of his overall play. As far as I am remember, Dallas never really had that lockdown defender for years. We already have one but unfortunately ours is someone who is already on the back side of his career.

But Shawn’s got to figure out a way to finish at the rim. I don’t think I can count the number of times he got a steal, ran the fastbreak, and missed an easy lay-up.

but he’s got the ugliest shot I’ve ever seen.

I think he’s a great defensive player but last season was so inconsistent offensively he could not be counted on to play heavy minutes. Seems if he could develop some kind of consistent 16’ or 18’ shot that would enhance his offensive performance measurably.

I have no problem with Marion other then he is over paid this season by a little and a lot over the next few years. I would really like to see him as our 7th guy. I dont want Marion playing 35 minutes a game for us.

who just straight up does not like Shawn Marion. With the money we’re paying him, and the minutes we give him I just don’t feel he needs to be on our roster.

I’m sure all you you will be giving me a thousand reasons why he is a great fit, but I just don’t see it. Something about this guy, I’m not sure what, makes me uneasy. I think it’s his salary. We should not have taken in that kind of contract for his talent.

I welcome, and expect, all of you to give me a bunch of reasons why he’s here, but it’s just something about him, I don’t like him. Don’t mean to be stubborn here.

but in a way I think I’m somewhat generous in that. Sure, it’s nice to have a defender like him on the squad but I would like to see him figure out how to finish at the rim as mentioned above. Maybe part of my dislike is over the contract too, I’ve just never been really impressed with him. He’s like a poor mans Ron Artest only not that cheap…

but don’t blame the guy for getting a lucrative contract. blame the person(s) who gave it to him. his play in miami and toronto, respectively, was clearly less than the standard he set in phoenix, but it was up to management to not fall in love with the idea of a player, and look at him objectively.

the mavs panicked and thought he was an important addition to the team, so they overpaid for something they thought they were desperately needing. let’s hope that haywood doesn’t fill such a role this upcoming season.

i think marion is a really good role player who gets a lot of flak for what he doesn’t do, which is play the game with finesse. he can’t create, but he mops up; and on a team full of chuck-the-ball-from-halfcourt players, that’s an unappreciated job sometimes.

Marion has been a perennial all-star, and although everyone expected it taking 30 or so games for him to get his wheels back, I was very disappointed, especially in the playoffs. He disappeared at times, occasionally reappearing to blow bunny lay-ups. We need a lot more out of him this year.

I think he is generally mismanaged by Carlisle. There were moments where, no joke, Marion was flat out the best thing the Mavs had going in terms of scoring from the post.

He gets a very solid amount of chances to finish right at the basket, he just has a knack for missing them more than you would like.

Either way, Marion’s defense is something that can easily be under appreciated in a hurry.