Another season of The Matrix
August 2, 2007 by Mike Olbinski
So I had nothing to watch yesterday afternoon and I wasn’t feeling well, so I scrolled down my list of shows left on the ol’ DVR and the Suns vs Mavericks classic from last season was still there. I jumped to the 1:00 spot left in regulation and sat back to enjoy one of the best endings to a game you’ll ever see.
And one thing stood out to me as I watched Steve Nash sink that three over and over again.
None of it was possible without Shawn Marion.
The first three Nash put up was a hopeful, hail Mary heave. It had a prayer, but he had to shoot it high to avoid the defender and it missed. But the most important part of that play was Shawn. If you watch him the entire time you see his eyes and body react like no one else on the floor did.
He saw the ball coming and when it was about six feet from the basket, he took off from the left side of the baseline to the top of the key and grabbed the rebound as it clanged off the rim and into his waiting hands. He caught it, dished it back to Nash all in one fluid motion and the game was tied. The top dime man in the league got an amazing assist from Marion that isn’t talked about much.
Later in the second overtime, when it was the Amare and Nash show, Marion’s hustle led to a huge offensive rebound and put-back that was beautiful and athletic all at once. It all but sealed the deal for the Suns win.
I know I was on the bandwagon to get rid of him if it meant Kevin Garnett would play here, because…well, it was KEVIN GARNETT. But that doesn’t change the way I feel about Marion.
He’s been my favorite player ever since his first year here. I loved his energy and enthusiasm…his ability to have fun all the time, even in the biggest games. The smiles he cracks must relax the team in serious crunch times.
Marion is an integral part of this team and I for one am excited to see him play for us another season.
He IS The Matrix after all. Another season of deft-defying moves and flying dunks is on the horizon and it’s going to be fun.
Posted in phoenix suns
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Yeah, but Marion never seems to show up in the playoffs, where we need him the most. That is a HUGE problem.
He’s shown up plenty of times, and has had off games. The problem is that he’s not an offensive threat, so when he doesn’t score in tight games, people say he didn’t show up.
Sean Marion is somewhat to the likeness of an executive producer in a movie. The Director is Steve Nash, Amare is obviously the star, now Marion just makes sure that the other two or going smoothly. He creates, rebounds and technically doesn’t have to score. Marion is one of the few people who can guard 1-5 in the NBA. He complains about not having an active role, but I don’t think he realizes that he has mad 3 straight all star teams(4 overall) and is on the brink of an NBA championship. I’m glad we didn’t get Garnett for Marion. We need Marion, but he needs the Suns more.