http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0207marion0208.html
Trade shocks gracious Marion
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 8, 2008 12:00 AM
Remember how you felt when you heard that the Suns were planning to trade Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for Shaquille O'Neal?
Marion was right there with you Tuesday night. He saw a report on ESPN just as his cellphone began ringing like mad.
"I was shocked at first," Marion said Thursday night from Miami, where he is scheduled for a physical today. "It happens. Everything happens for a reason. We could get deep into it, but what's done is done. I wish everybody in Phoenix good luck."
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Marion offered no criticism of the Suns for ending an 8 1/2-year marriage. Only Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce had longer current tenures with one NBA team.
The move came less than three weeks after Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver pledged to keep his team's core together.
General Manager Steve Kerr reiterated the stance just days before Miami unexpectedly approached Sarver with a chance to acquire O'Neal. Suns coaches and players unanimously wanted the deal.
Marion had made a trade request during the summer but did not speak of it again after no deal materialized before training camp. He had his lowest scoring average (15.8) since his rookie year with the impact of another scoring swingman - Grant Hill - being added but still was the Suns' top rebounder and helped cover the defensive deficiencies in the post and at the point with his versatility. The four-time All-Star forward was left off this year's All-Star squad.
"It hit me out of the blue," Marion said of the trade. "Honestly, it's done. I'm starting new. I have no bad blood. I'm not even really thinking about it. I'm looking forward to it. I'm a Miami Heat player."
Marion extended appreciation for Suns fans and even talked about their new star.
"I love Shaquille as a player," Marion said. "He's always been a dominant player in the league. They've got to make the assessment in deciding that."
Marion is friends with Heat star Dwyane Wade and used to own a South Beach home. He said Miami has shared an interest in long-term plans for him. Marion has a $17.2 million player option for next season.
He has hope that he can help a team with the league's worst record (9-39) still make the playoffs despite being 10 1/2 games out of the eighth spot.
"Definitely, we can help change it around," Marion said. "Anything can happen in the Eastern Conference."
Mavericks coach Avery Johnson told Dallas reporters, "I'm happy to see Shawn Marion go to the East, personally. I don't know how happy I am to see Shaq in the West, but it's give-and-take with a lot of those situations. . . . They're not as fast. The floor is not as spread as it was two years ago."
