azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Paola Boivin
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 11, 2005 12:00 AM
Everybody has a story. Shawn Marion's isn't told, because in a league of self-promoters, he is neither camera greedy nor camera savvy.
"I'll be friendly to anyone I meet, say 'hello, how you doing.' But as far as letting people in here?" Marion said, pointing to his chest. "Few get in. It's the only way I know."
When you're watching the Suns against Seattle tonight, and you see Marion grab a rebound over Rashard Lewis that triggers a jaw-dropping Amaré Stoudemire dunk, remember the rebound when everyone else is recalling the dunk. That's the essence of Marion, a freakishly athletic 6-foot-7, 228-pound forward whose contributions often are lost among an array of no-look passes and blocked shots.
Lost because Stoudemire is the Suns' front man and Steve Nash their golden child. Both titles are well deserved, but it leaves little room on the podium for Marion, who earned much-deserved credit when NBA coaches voted him onto the All-Star team Tuesday.
Funny thing is, the attention doesn't matter that much to him. That's where this story becomes interesting. If anyone should have a burning need for all things shiny and material, it's Marion. Instead, he has come to define the selflessness of the Suns, excelling despite the reality that the offense doesn't run a single play for him.
How does one learn perspective after being born to a 14-year-old mother? How does one lack greed despite being reared in an environment of little means, first in Chicago and later Tennessee?
"I still remember that feeling of being let down around holidays," Marion said. "You're hoping for something, hope you get that present, and it never comes. We couldn't afford it. You never forget that feeling."
The NBA has a strange ability to turn players from difficult backgrounds into players with a sense of entitlement. It's the show-me-the-money, look-at-my-bling, jack-up-my-stats era.
That's not Marion. When he signed a seven-year, $79 million contract extension in 2002, he gave a million of it to the United Way. When an 81-year-old woman from the Towers Retirement Community in Mesa wrote him a letter and asked him come visit, he did. And stayed all afternoon.
"There's only one way I've been able to describe Shawn: the anti-prima donna," said former Nevada-Las Vegas coach Bill Bayno, now a Portland Trail Blazers scout.
His mother was barely a teenager when Shawn and his twin sister, Shawnett, were born, but she worked hard to keep a strong support system of grandparents and uncles around him. She taught him the importance of a strong work ethic, and he learned firsthand by cleaning out demolished buildings in Chicago.
After signing a rookie contract with the Suns in 1999, he bought his mother, Elaine, a house in Las Vegas. It was the first home his family owned.
"I remember when I got my first place (in Phoenix)," he said. "I kept walking around it saying, 'This is mine. This belongs to me.' "
Life taught him to be guarded. Basketball prodigies attract unscrupulous flies, and he met his share, from his playing days at Clarksville (Tenn.) High, to Vincennes University in Indiana to UNLV.
It's why he lets so few inside his inner circle. And truth be told, as accommodating and upbeat as Marion is, his media exposure probably falls short of his accomplishments.
He's not as polished as many of his peers when talking to a camera or a microphone. His answers are short-winded, often filled with a handful of "you know what I'm sayings?" Answers without bravado and exaggerations. Boring? Maybe. But honest. It's Marion.
Privately, Marion, 26, was thrilled with his All-Star invitation because it confirmed that league coaches recognized the dirty work he does on the court, dirty work to the tune of 19.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
He could always improve his outside shot. His shot selection is better this season, and has improved his field-goal percentage from .440 to .474.
Marion's most unselfish trait? In the numerical lingo of the NBA, he's a three playing a four who can rebound like a five.
"Of all the people who have sacrificed in this system, he's probably sacrificed the most," coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Remember that, tonight, when Marion grabs the rebound no one else notices.
Marion file
What you may not know about Shawn Marion:
2004-05 season
• Games: 50.
• Points per game: 19.5.
• Rebounds per game: 10.9.
Before the Suns
• Led Nevada-Las Vegas in scoring (18.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) during his one year at UNLV.
• Blocked 54 shots and had 73 steals in 29 games.
• National Junior College Player of the Year (at Vincennes University in Indiana) in 1998.
• Attended high school in Clarksville, Tenn., after moving from Chicago in junior high.
Fast facts
• Began wearing No. 31 in junior college because it was the number worn by Pacers star Reggie Miller.
• He visited U.S. troops in Kuwait as part of Project Salute 2003.
Why the Matrix?
Shawn Marion's nickname came from Turner Sports analyst Kenny Smith, who marveled at then-NBA rookie Marion's athleticism. In the movie, The Matrix, Keanu Reeves' character appears to defy gravity, often stopping in midair and changing direction. The Suns forward appears to have similar talents. Marion loves the moniker and has it tattooed on his left biceps. "Some guys go through a whole career without a good nickname," he said. "I already have one."
Reach Boivin at [email protected] or (602) 444-8956.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0211boivin0211.html
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 11, 2005 12:00 AM
Everybody has a story. Shawn Marion's isn't told, because in a league of self-promoters, he is neither camera greedy nor camera savvy.
"I'll be friendly to anyone I meet, say 'hello, how you doing.' But as far as letting people in here?" Marion said, pointing to his chest. "Few get in. It's the only way I know."
When you're watching the Suns against Seattle tonight, and you see Marion grab a rebound over Rashard Lewis that triggers a jaw-dropping Amaré Stoudemire dunk, remember the rebound when everyone else is recalling the dunk. That's the essence of Marion, a freakishly athletic 6-foot-7, 228-pound forward whose contributions often are lost among an array of no-look passes and blocked shots.
Lost because Stoudemire is the Suns' front man and Steve Nash their golden child. Both titles are well deserved, but it leaves little room on the podium for Marion, who earned much-deserved credit when NBA coaches voted him onto the All-Star team Tuesday.
Funny thing is, the attention doesn't matter that much to him. That's where this story becomes interesting. If anyone should have a burning need for all things shiny and material, it's Marion. Instead, he has come to define the selflessness of the Suns, excelling despite the reality that the offense doesn't run a single play for him.
How does one learn perspective after being born to a 14-year-old mother? How does one lack greed despite being reared in an environment of little means, first in Chicago and later Tennessee?
"I still remember that feeling of being let down around holidays," Marion said. "You're hoping for something, hope you get that present, and it never comes. We couldn't afford it. You never forget that feeling."
The NBA has a strange ability to turn players from difficult backgrounds into players with a sense of entitlement. It's the show-me-the-money, look-at-my-bling, jack-up-my-stats era.
That's not Marion. When he signed a seven-year, $79 million contract extension in 2002, he gave a million of it to the United Way. When an 81-year-old woman from the Towers Retirement Community in Mesa wrote him a letter and asked him come visit, he did. And stayed all afternoon.
"There's only one way I've been able to describe Shawn: the anti-prima donna," said former Nevada-Las Vegas coach Bill Bayno, now a Portland Trail Blazers scout.
His mother was barely a teenager when Shawn and his twin sister, Shawnett, were born, but she worked hard to keep a strong support system of grandparents and uncles around him. She taught him the importance of a strong work ethic, and he learned firsthand by cleaning out demolished buildings in Chicago.
After signing a rookie contract with the Suns in 1999, he bought his mother, Elaine, a house in Las Vegas. It was the first home his family owned.
"I remember when I got my first place (in Phoenix)," he said. "I kept walking around it saying, 'This is mine. This belongs to me.' "
Life taught him to be guarded. Basketball prodigies attract unscrupulous flies, and he met his share, from his playing days at Clarksville (Tenn.) High, to Vincennes University in Indiana to UNLV.
It's why he lets so few inside his inner circle. And truth be told, as accommodating and upbeat as Marion is, his media exposure probably falls short of his accomplishments.
He's not as polished as many of his peers when talking to a camera or a microphone. His answers are short-winded, often filled with a handful of "you know what I'm sayings?" Answers without bravado and exaggerations. Boring? Maybe. But honest. It's Marion.
Privately, Marion, 26, was thrilled with his All-Star invitation because it confirmed that league coaches recognized the dirty work he does on the court, dirty work to the tune of 19.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
He could always improve his outside shot. His shot selection is better this season, and has improved his field-goal percentage from .440 to .474.
Marion's most unselfish trait? In the numerical lingo of the NBA, he's a three playing a four who can rebound like a five.
"Of all the people who have sacrificed in this system, he's probably sacrificed the most," coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Remember that, tonight, when Marion grabs the rebound no one else notices.
Marion file
What you may not know about Shawn Marion:
2004-05 season
• Games: 50.
• Points per game: 19.5.
• Rebounds per game: 10.9.
Before the Suns
• Led Nevada-Las Vegas in scoring (18.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) during his one year at UNLV.
• Blocked 54 shots and had 73 steals in 29 games.
• National Junior College Player of the Year (at Vincennes University in Indiana) in 1998.
• Attended high school in Clarksville, Tenn., after moving from Chicago in junior high.
Fast facts
• Began wearing No. 31 in junior college because it was the number worn by Pacers star Reggie Miller.
• He visited U.S. troops in Kuwait as part of Project Salute 2003.
Why the Matrix?
Shawn Marion's nickname came from Turner Sports analyst Kenny Smith, who marveled at then-NBA rookie Marion's athleticism. In the movie, The Matrix, Keanu Reeves' character appears to defy gravity, often stopping in midair and changing direction. The Suns forward appears to have similar talents. Marion loves the moniker and has it tattooed on his left biceps. "Some guys go through a whole career without a good nickname," he said. "I already have one."
Reach Boivin at [email protected] or (602) 444-8956.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0211boivin0211.html
