"Shawn Marion has heard speculation about the Mavericks' various game plans for him this season – all of which are written in sand so they can be easily changed.

No matter the role he ends up in, Marion plans on doing more things better this season, including resurrecting his 3-point shot.

But an interesting development cropped up at the Mavericks' first practice of training camp at SMU.

It turns out Marion isn't the only longtime NBA starter who has been approached about coming off the bench.

"I've talked to both Shawn and Caron [Butler] that one of them could be coming off the bench for the first time in their careers," coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday. "I want this to be an element of strength that we're playing to.

"Not that one of those guys is in decline or anything like that. None of it is personal. It's going to be about being the best possible team."

For the most part, that's OK with Marion, who has started 805 of 820 games in his career. He is a professional and while he wants to play a fair share of minutes, it's more about getting opportunities this year during his time.

Marion played almost all of last season at small forward, although he did put in some time at power forward behind Dirk Nowitzki. He could see more time as the one who gives Nowitzki breathers this year.

No matter what, Marion has to be more forceful.

"I'm going to make it more of an initiative, and I think coach is too, to get me more involved and hopefully help this team more," Marion said. "I did everything they wanted me to do last year, but I got away from a lot of stuff I've been known to do my whole career. And that's what I want to get back to."

That's how he became the Matrix. And he also earned a nice reputation as a 3-point shooter, making 670 of them before last season, when he made three of 19.

"Definitely, my 3-ball wasn't in play last year," he said. "And I'm definitely going to get that back involved and take my opportunities." "