two years?

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by elindholm

In "short" (heh), I think Iverson is a unique case. I don't consider him a top-ten player (er, at least probably not, I'd have to think about it), but I do think he brings more to a team than Marion does.

All that said, it's true that one should be careful not to overvalue the ability to create one's own shot. Marion's weakness in this regard means that he will never be a superstar, but I agree that he makes up for it in other ways. You could look at someone like Desmond Mason and say that he can create his own shot, but I'd much rather have Marion on the team than one or even two Desmond Masons.

This is pretty much my point.

BTW, I would not trade Marion for Iverson because I don't think that he brings to the Suns enough to make up for what they lose if Marion leaves.

Another example would be a comparison of Marion to Paul Pierce. Pierce scores more (23.3 ppg) and can certainly make his own shot, but he shoots 40.2% and gets 6.9 rpg (compared to Marion's 43% and 9.5 rpg). He gets more assists but fewer steals and blocks than Marion. Pierce maks about $1 million more a year.

I just don't see how the Suns could replace Shawn's productivity with a couple of mid level FA's.

 

[elindholm]

Pierce is much better than Marion. This ties in before with what I was saying about overstating the difference between FG%'s.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by elindholm
Pierce is much better than Marion. This ties in before with what I was saying about overstating the difference between FG%'s.

Actually, this ties into the issue of how much emphasis there is on being able to make ones own shot, even if the percentages are very low.

Certainly a case could be made that the Suns need to work with Marion to help him become better at making his own shot. More imprtant, is to help him become more consistent at making them. He would be more valuable to the team.

I think Marion's productivity will improve as the offense evolves. Both Marion and JJ were bad fits for the Marbury drive and kickout offense. Once Marbury left, JJ went from offensively hopeless to all star performance almost over night. I think it will take Marion longer, but he is making progress as well.

I don't think Marion will ever be confused with Iverson or Pierce; but he may prove to be more valuable to the Suns than either would be.

 

[Joe Mama]

Actually, when Shawn Marion was making his jump shots he was a great fit for Marbury's style. Last year and before he was one of the better jump shooters in the NBA. Marbury consistently gave him wide-open looks, and he knocked them down more consistently then this year.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Actually, when Shawn Marion was making his jump shots he was a great fit for Marbury's style. Last year and before he was one of the better jump shooters in the NBA. Marbury consistently gave him wide-open looks, and he knocked them down more consistently then this year.

Joe Mama

I am still convinced Shawn's attempt to bulk up threw off his shooting motion, and he will get it back eventually.