Shawn Marion News: Pro Sports Daily

Carlisle: Marion's big game was deserved

Comment

March 10

Dallas Morning News

"Rick Carlisle said Shawn Marion's 29-point, 14-rebound night in Minnesota was something that's long overdue for the 6-7 forward. "I'm really glad he had a big game," Carlisle said. "He's sacrificed so much of his game to be one of the best defenders, to get rebounds, to be a screener and a movement maker. [Against the Wolves], he was a featured scorer, which he's been really most of his career.""

Marion willing to sacrifice for Mavs to win

Comment

March 8

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Shawn Marion is a proud basketball player who feels he is still in the prime of his career.In respect of Sunday's Oscars, let's put this in Hollywood perspective. Marion does not feel like he is an 11.5-point, 6.5-rebound supporting actor. Yet, that's what the numbers say this season, and it's why the Mavericks forward feels conflicted. Marion loves winning. And he's done everything this season to that end.Marion's also sacrificed as much as any other Maverick, maybe more."You got to sacrifice certain things to get that ultimate goal, and that's a ring, the hardware," Marion said. "Once you get that hardware, nobody can say anything to you. That's what I want my legacy to be. I want that ..."

Mavericks' Marion has dialed back game for NBA's top prize – a championship

Comment

March 8

Dallas Morning News

"Shawn Marion is a proud basketball player who feels he is still in the prime of his career. In respect of Sunday's Oscars, let's put this in Hollywood perspective. Marion does not feel like he is an 11.5-point, 6.5-rebound supporting actor. Yet, that's what the numbers say this season, and it's why the Mavericks' small forward feels conflicted. Marion loves winning. And he's done everything this season to that end. Marion's also sacrificed as much as any other Maverick, maybe more. "You got to sacrifice certain things to get that ultimate goal, and that's a ring, the hardware," Marion said. "Once you get that hardware, nobody can say anything to you. That's what I want my legacy to be. I ..."

Mavericks' Shawn Marion puts stop to Wizards' comeback

Comment

January 21

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Of all the close games the Mavericks have won in recent years - and their number of consecutive one-point wins is at nine in a row and counting - this one was the strangest.They won it with a defensive stop.No, that's not a typo.Shawn Marion, clutch on the defensive end all night, deflected Caron Butler's 15-foot jumper as the final seconds were evaporating and the Mavericks escaped the Verizon Center with a 94-93 victory over the Washington Wizards.The final defensive shut-down made up for some casual defensive moments earlier. The Mavericks were outscored 6-0 in the last minute, yet hung on to win and go to 2-1 on the Nor'easter road trip that opened with a loss at Toronto."After the big ..."

Marion is clearly Mavericks' top defender

Comment

January 21

Dallas Morning News

"Sometimes, it takes a defining moment before you can start banging the drum for a cause. Shawn Marion had just that kind of moment Wednesday. Because of his blocked shot on Caron Butler that saved the Mavericks' win over Washington, Marion now is officially a candidate for the all-defensive team. "Come on," Marion said. "How about defensive player of the year?" OK, we stand corrected. The Mavericks have never been defensive masters. But they finally have the kind of players who can play it when they have to. And Marion has to just about 24/7. He always has to guard the best player on the other team, unless it's a center. "And he's been successful doing that," said Jason Terry. "He should ..."

Mavericks' offense struggles in 80-75 loss to Hawks

Comment

December 6

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks forced Atlanta to miss 20 consecutive shots in one stretch of defensive tenacity Saturday night. But in the big picture, Shawn Marion had trouble seeing the benefit. "If you aren't making shots, what difference does it make?" he said. "If you capitalize, great. But if you don't, you're not making up any ground." That's what the Mavericks did all night long against the Hawks - fail to make up ground. And when they played from behind virtually the whole game, that spelled doom. On a rough offensive night for both teams, the Hawks made just enough shots when it counted to squeeze off an 80-75 victory over the Mavericks at American Airlines Center. For the first time this ..."

Mavericks' veterans worth the investment so far

Comment

December 4

Dallas Morning News

"The Dallas Mavericks will be 20 games deep into the season after playing Memphis on Friday. So what have we learned? Three things. First, we know that Jason Kidd remains a top-tier point guard, even if his defensive abilities now are limited more to playing the angles and passing lanes for steals. He's been more than solid in virtually every game and downright excellent at times. Second, we know that Erick Dampier, Tim Thomas and Drew Gooden are better players when they are fighting for next season's contract. This is a key point in moving forward into the guts of the season. Third, Dirk Nowitzki is the man."

Marion misses antoher game, hopes for Tuesday return

Comment

November 22

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks are 10-3 and tied with Phoenix for the best record in the Western Conference. The best bit of fallout from that was on display after their 104-102 survival test against Sacramento on Friday night. The Mavericks weren't the least bit impressed with themselves after the victory at American Airlines Center. Oh, they're impressed with banking another win. But the way the victories are rolling in isn't making them puff their chests out. "We're all disappointed because we all know we shouldn't be making these games tough on us," Drew Gooden said. "When we get comfortable being up nine or 10 points, we let teams claw back. "We still haven't played a lot of the big teams. And with ..."

Mavericks race by Spurs 99-94 in overtime win

Comment

November 19

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki made play after play, frustrating the San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan as he did. And then he went to the offensive end. Nowitzki had 41 points, including 11 of the Mavericks' 15 points in overtime as he led them to a hard-earned 99-94 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center. But what people wanted to talk about most was his defense on Duncan. Nowitzki was asked to guard the Spurs' low-post master during the final minutes of overtime, and he forced Duncan to miss close-range shots on three consecutive possessions, which allowed the Mavericks to pull away to a 97-91 lead and hang on for their fourth consecutive victory since losing to the Spurs ..."

Marion can do more

Comment

October 28

Dallas Morning News

"It took less than one game - three quarters was more than enough time - to learn that Shawn Marion's assimilation into the Mavericks will not always be smooth. And it certainly won't happen overnight. The Mavericks got 50 points from their forward tandem, but Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 of them and Marion's 16 came only in the first and fourth quarters. In between, he disappeared. Not that he had the market cornered in that department. To hang the season-opening loss on Marion would be totally unfair. This was a complete team effort, outside of Nowitzki, who was terrific. What we did see out of Marion, however, was evidence that the injury-marred preseason hurt him. He missed four games ..."

Marion, Howard practice together for first time

Comment

October 23

Dallas Morning News

"Shawn Marion and Josh Howard went through practice Thursday, the first time they've been on the court together in training camp. Whether one or both will play in the preseason finale tonight in Houston remains to be seen. But it was a welcomed sight for the Mavericks, who have not yet had their preferred starting lineup available. "Today was a beginning and we've got a long road ahead of us - a lot of games," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We've got to figure out a formula when that group does finally get on the floor in real games. Today was constructive." Marion has played just two preseason games and only one in its entirety. He had sat out the last 10 days of practice to let the calf ..."

Kidd, Marion reunited on Dallas

Comment

September 22

Dallas Morning News

"Jason Kidd remembers yesteryear like it was yesterday. Donnie Nelson (far left), the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, joined (from left) Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Nathan Jawai, Quinton Ross, Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas and Rick Carlisle as a new uniform was unveiled. He had a young, raw teammate on the Phoenix Suns who was just learning how good he could really be. And Kidd, as the point guard and leader of the Suns in 2001, made it his duty to cultivate the new kid. He saw Shawn Marion grow up that season. "He listened," Kidd said Monday. "You can ask him about our first playoff series with Sacramento, and he had to guard Peja [Stojakovic]."

Mavericks acquire Shawn Marion

Comment

July 9

Houston Chronicle

"The Mavericks finally pushed the ball over the goal line, scoring big by trading for Shawn Marion from Toronto. An NBA source said Wednesday that the deal for the 6-7 swingman will happen and that a trade call with the NBA office had been set up for Thursday. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the deal will go through on Thursday. Details weren't completely known. But it's a sure thing that Jerry Stackhouse is the principal piece moving from the Mavericks to Toronto. But it is likely he will move on from there. Stackhouse will be an unrestricted free agent when he is bought out by the team that eventually ends up with him. That team, which is believed to be either Memphis or Oklahoma City, ..."

Dallas Mavericks trade for Marion, source says

Comment

July 9

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks finally pushed the ball over the goal line, scoring big by trading for Shawn Marion from Toronto. An NBA source said Wednesday that the deal for the 6-7 swingman will happen and that a trade call with the NBA office had been set up for today. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the deal will go through today. Details weren't completely known. But it's a sure thing that Jerry Stackhouse is the principal piece moving from the Mavericks to Toronto. But it is likely he will move on from there. Stackhouse will be an unrestricted free agent when he is bought out by the team that eventually ends up with him. That team, which is believed to be either Memphis or Oklahoma City, will ..."

Mavericks' Stackhouse must wait a bit longer for trade

Comment

July 8

Dallas Morning News

"While the Mavericks tried Tuesday to iron out details of a trade for Shawn Marion that still looks shaky at best, Jerry Stackhouse faced the reality that if this isn't the deal that sends him into free agency, it isn't far away. He's come to grips with the idea that his time with the Mavericks is done. He had four solid seasons and one that was forgettable after last season was wrecked by a foot injury that kept him off the court. So what now? Stackhouse said he's looking on the bright side of things. Whenever he's traded, the team that gets him will buy out his contract before Aug. 10. Stackhouse will pocket $2 million and search for a new team. The waiting is the hardest part. "I ..."

Mavericks in trade talks for Toronto's Marion

Comment

July 7

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' search for offensive help could lead to Shawn Marion, once a dynamic force for Phoenix whose production has tapered off in recent seasons. The Mavericks, according to a league source, are involved in trade talks with Toronto, which is trying to shed salary to make room for free agent Hedo Turkoglu. Marion, 31, also is a free agent, but a sign-and-trade of the 6-7 forward would allow the Raptors to perhaps take back Jerry Stackhouse, whose contract is $7 million for next season - but only $2 million of which is guaranteed. The Mavericks have had casual interest in Marion for some time, but it was not known how far along talks had advanced. Several reports Monday night ..."

Raptors facing free-agent quandary

Comment

June 30

Toronto Star

"With one move made and another that wasn't, the Raptors sent a couple of messages yesterday as they get ready to enter the NBA free agency waters. The team extended a qualifying offer to Pops Mensah-Bonsu that was little more than a bookkeeping move to give themselves some frontcourt protection but did not offer the same to Joey Graham, which makes it almost certain he won't be back with the team. For Mensah-Bonsu, the qualifying offer is for slightly more than $1 million (all figures U.S.) with absolutely no guarantees, making it highly unlikely he'll sign it. But because they made the offer, the Raptors retain the right to match any offer he gets as a restricted free agent, protecting ..."

Raptors GM has big plans

Comment

April 21

Toronto Sun

"Bryan Colangelo wants Jay Triano to coach, retain an affordable Shawn Marion, more toughness, depth behind Jose Calderon, the return of Carlos Delfino and starter Anthony Parker to switch to a bench role. The Raptors general manager can have a big say in all these issues, but one thing he can't control is what franchise player Chris Bosh will do in the next 16 months. The shadow of July 1, 2010, already was clouding Colangelo's rallying call yesterday at the Air Canada Centre. "I had a very good conversation with Chris the other day in Chicago in our formal exit interview," Colangelo said. "We didn't talk about the future, we talked about some of the things we experienced this year (a ..."

See ya, Shawn

Comment

April 17

Toronto Sun

"Shawn Marion is sticking around for an extra four or five days, but it very likely could amount to nothing more than an extended farewell. Marion plans to visit Canadian vacation hotspots such as Niagara Falls -- we're assuming he's sticking to the Canadian side but it's never safe to assume anything where Marion is concerned -- and Montreal over the next few days. "I heard Montreal is crazy up there," Marion said, "so I'm going up there too. You can follow me on tour." The things a guy can do when he doesn't have the playoffs to worry about. Marion was one in a succession of Raptors who were subjected to year-end interviews by the local media yesterday as the team wrapped up a ..."

Free agent Marion seeks a winner

Comment

April 15

Toronto Star

"Shawn Marion really dislikes talking about the coming summer and what he might do, where he might land, how he might get back to playing basketball on a team with short-term aspirations greater than sneaking back into the playoffs. He gives the standard answers about weighing options and talking to his agent and concentrating solely on the end of the regular season, as all veteran free-agents-to-be seem to do. But when it's pointed out to Marion that he's finally going to have a say about his future, able for the first time in his professional life to choose where he works, his eyes get a bit wider, his voice a bit brighter."

Marion made for up-tempo game

Comment

February 26

Globe and Mail

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but Shawn Marion is at home, literally and figuratively. The Toronto Raptors forward arrived with his new teammates in Phoenix yesterday as a fully qualified tour guide. Having played his entire NBA career in the desert before being traded twice in the space of a year, Marion will likely be a go-to guy as the Raptors combine some brief rest and relaxation with a business trip that kicks off in earnest tomorrow, when they play Marion's old team, the Phoenix Suns, led by Victoria native Steve Nash. "My condo is right around the corner from the hotel," Marion said cheerfully before the Raptors departed for warmer climes. Rather than leave after practice today - ..."

Shawn Marion to 'enjoy' return to Phoenix

Comment

February 26

Toronto Star

"This is the city where Shawn Marion became a four-time NBA all-star, one of the main players in the high-octane Phoenix Suns' act that entertained fans around the NBA like they had seldom been entertained and got his team within a game of playing for a championship. It elevated coach Mike D'Antoni to guru rather than a guy who'd washed out in Denver, turned Steve Nash into a two-time most valuable player and made the Suns the object of envy from every player who'd eschew defence for a little running and gunning. "Seven seconds or less" became an NBA mantra."

Marion brings energy

Comment

February 24

Toronto Sun

"Three games into his tenure as a Toronto Raptor, Shawn Marion is looking more like the guy who played for the push-the-pace Phoenix Suns as opposed to the miscast forward who spent the end of last season and most of this year with the Miami Heat. Marion has become the Raptors instant energy guy, the spark that gets them moving and keeps the pace frantic for the entire time he's on the court. "He makes it easier because he gives us another guy who can handle it and either get us steals or quick rebounds and gets the ball in play," head coach Jay Triano said. As Triano points out, Marion already is having a positive impact on his new team while still learning the defensive principals the ..."

Raps not the Marion kind

Comment

February 22

Toronto Sun

"Shawn Marion uttered words not spoken in Raptorland since the days of Charles Oakley and his mangled metaphors. It wasn't quite Oakley-esque in its presentation, but Marion nonetheless was colourful in summing up his feelings following Friday's 30-point embarrassment in the Big Apple. "I'm pissed off,'' Marion said. "And I want them (his new teammates) to be pissed off. If I have to motivate guys, fire them up, I'll do it because we have a long way to go." One of the many deficiencies that continue to haunt these Raptors is their mental fortitude. No matter how you dissect it or describe it, the Raptors are soft and have been for quite some time. No one seems to take losses such as ..."

Marion expects more intensity from Raptors

Comment

February 22

Toronto Star

"Of all the emotions that have run through the Raptors this season – from bewilderment to frustration to confusion to resignation – Shawn Marion voiced one yesterday seldom heard. He has been here less than a week, played just two games and had just three practices, but as he stood near the exit of the practice gym at the Air Canada Centre yesterday, there was no ambiguity about how he felt. "Yeah, I'm pissed off," he said. "Hell, yeah, I want everybody pissed off." What had irked the short-timer so much was Toronto's utter capitulation at the hands of the New York Knicks on Friday, a 30-point shellacking from a team with almost as bad a record as the Raptors that was marked by a distinct ..."

Marion good fit, but no saviour

Comment

February 19

Toronto Sun

columnist Frank Zicarelli

"On his first touch as a Raptor, Shawn Marion showed a soft touch by scoring over LeBron James on a turnaround jumper. Then came a drive to the hole when Marion took Wally Szczerbiak off the dribble. There were glimpses and flashes of what Marion will bring to the Raptors at both ends of the floor, but he's far from a saviour. In the euphoria that greeted last Friday's trade with the Miami Heat that brought Marion and Marcus Banks to Hogtown, too many people held on to this belief that Marion would somehow change the fortunes of the foundering hoopsters. He won't and last night's debut reinforced it. Marion is a good player and a nice piece to have in moving forward, at least for the ..."

Raps' Marion rarin' to run

Comment

February 18

Toronto Sun

"If Jermaine O'Neal was the proverbial square peg in the circular hole in his short tenure with the Raptors, Shawn Marion is nicely rounded and all smooth edges. That's the opinion of general manager Bryan Colangelo, who orchestrated both this trade and the original one that brought O'Neal to Toronto last summer. But now that he has Marion, Colangelo is convinced he has made the necessary correction and the team can begin to make good on all that pre-season promise. At 21-34, there's a steep hill to climb and with just 27 games remaining, not a lot of time to climb it, but for the first time in a couple of months there is a real sense of optimism around the team. "I think it was pretty ..."

O'Neal's confident he can take the Heat

Comment

February 18

Toronto Star

"As he finds himself in yet another new situation, one that's far better than the old-new situation he just left, all Jermaine O'Neal wants is to fit in. While appreciative of the chance he had to restart his injury-riddled career with the Raptors, the new Miami Heat centre is pumped to be joining a team already in the middle of the NBA Eastern Conference fray. "I know these next 30 games are going to come, a lot of games in a short period of days," O'Neal told reporters yesterday at an introductory news conference in Miami. "But I believe I can do it, and I wouldn't have told my agent, if I felt like I couldn't make this transition"

Marion, Banks bring fresh hope to Raptors

Comment

February 18

Toronto Star

"With a third of the NBA season in front of them, the Raptors have regrouped, imbued with a sense of optimism, aided by an injection of experience and athleticism, bound and determined to put the memories of a desultory 55 games behind them. It is a large hill to climb – five games in arrears of the playoffs with 27 games to go – but to see and hear them yesterday was to hear a confident group, even if the past suggests little reason for such unbridled enthusiasm."

Marion ready to be a Raptor

Comment

February 17

Globe and Mail

"Both the Toronto Raptors and Shawn Marion know the score: 27 games to make a run to the playoffs that has not been hinted at so far in the regular season. After that? Who knows - free agency. A sign and trade. Know this: it's early in the relationship. Marion hasn't had his first four or five-game losing streak with the Raptors or faced the first coaching decision he doesn't like. And while general manager Bryan Colangelo has said that re-signing Marion is an option, he was equally candid in affirming that Marion's expiring contract and the resulting salary cap relief it would bring ensures what he called "flexibility" for both sides. "It's only my second time being traded so I can't even ..."

Marion more than a hired gun for Raptors

Comment

February 14

Toronto Star

"Shawn Marion's worth goes well beyond that of a "rental player" obtained by the Raptors so they can go out and make significant NBA moves this summer. In finalizing a much-anticipated deal that sent Jermaine O'Neal, Jamario Moon and a conditional first-round draft pick to the Miami Heat for Marion, guard Marcus Banks and cash, Raptors president and GM Bryan Colangelo said Marion provides a much-needed boost to the roster. "Shawn is a piece that should be given an opportunity to fit in with the team," Colangelo said in a conference call last night. "He's not necessarily a rental player. That's not necessarily the case.""

Trade has major upside

Comment

February 14

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Dave Hyde

"Got a big man in Jermaine O'Neal. Kept the future star of Michael Beasley. Pointed the salary cap toward the all-important summer of 2010. What's not to like for the Heat's today and tomorrow? It even got elastic Jamario Moon and a No. 1 draft pick out of Toronto, for whatever they're worth. And it's worth seeing exactly what they are. Patiently, logically, resourcefully, Heat President Pat Riley waited to make the deal a source said was on the table for six weeks until nothing better was coming and O'Neal's knee looked fine in extended play. This was the best of the rumored deals. Toronto primarily gets the expiring contract of Shawn Marion, whose reward for Thursday's winning basket was ..."

Marion Trade a Sign Teams Are Ready to Shed Payroll

Comment

February 14

New York Times

"In a signal that blockbuster trades they made in the last year have not worked out, the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors engineered another one Friday, swapping frontcourt players with sterling résumés who have occasionally underwhelmed this season. The Heat agreed to send Shawn Marion to the Raptors for Jermaine O'Neal, forward Jamario Moon and a lottery-protected first-round draft pick. The Raptors also received the reserve point guard Marcus Banks. The trade reunites Marion with Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo, who watched Marion blossom as a player when both were with the Phoenix Suns. The Suns' new regime, under General Manager Steve Kerr, dealt Marion to Miami last season ..."

Raptors trade O'Neal, Moon to Miami

Comment

February 13

Toronto Star

"The deal is done and the Jermaine O'Neal era with the Raptors — short and not too sweet — is over. The Raptors have dealt the veteran centre along with Jamario Moon to the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, a deal that gives Toronto some financial flexibility this summer and one they hope injects some defence, rebounding and athleticism to a team free-falling through the NBA Eastern Conference standings. Toronto is also sending a conditional draft pick to the Heat and getting cash considerations in return, according to league sources."

Miami Heat trades Shawn Marion, acquires Jermaine O'Neal from Raptors

Comment

February 13

Miami Herald

"The Miami Heat has agreed to trade forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks to Toronto for center Jermaine O'Neal and small forward Jamario Moon, an agent for one of the players said Friday. The deal is contingent on all the players passing physicals. ''The Heat gave us a heads-up that the deal is going down,'' said Michael Higgins, agent for Banks. The long-rumored deal will give the Heat a center, filling one of its biggest weaknesses. O'Neal's contract runs through next season and will pay him $23 million in 2009-10. Marion, earning $18.4 million this season, has a contract expiring after this season, and the Heat had not made any recent attempt to re-sign him."

Raptors acquire Marion from Heat

Comment

February 13

ESPN.com

"The Toronto Raptors have agreed to send Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon to the Miami Heat in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher. The deal is pending league approval, according to league sources."

Miami Heat's Shawn Marion injured in practice

Comment

February 12

Miami Herald

"Heat forward Shawn Marion was knocked out of Wednesday's practice because of an eye injury and is questionable for Thursday's game at Chicago. Marion was injured late in the workout, when forward Michael Beasley inadvertently hit him in the left eye during a drill. Marion was taken to a doctor for treatment and diagnosed with a bruised left eye orbit. Marion, the Heat's leading rebounder, traveled with the team Wednesday and will be evaluated Thursday. It was the second time in a week that Marion was hit in the left eye. He caught an inadvertent elbow from Allen Iverson in the first half of a loss at Detroit on Feb. 7. Marion was taken to the locker room but returned shortly to finish the ..."

Shawn Marion out for Miami Heat

Comment

January 25

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Miami Heat forward Shawn Marion was held out for the second time in a week due to a strained left groin, missing Saturday night's game against the Orlando Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena. Marion missed last Sunday's road victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, then played just eight minutes in Wednesday's home loss to the Boston Celtics, after aggravating the injury while attempting a dunk. Coach Erik Spoelstra said the team's medical staff has advised against pushing Marion because of the potential for a more serious strain. The Heat next plays Monday against the visiting Atlanta Hawks."

Miami Heat's Marion might miss Magic game with groin injury

Comment

January 24

Miami Herald

"MARION MISSES PRACTICE Between constant trade speculation and a strained groin, Heat forward Shawn Marion is coping with aggravation. Marion did not practice Friday and said the injury likely would force him out of Saturday's game against Orlando. If Marion were unable to play, it would be the second game he has missed since he sustained the injury late in a Jan. 17 loss at Houston. Marion said he receives treatment ''three or four times a day'' with the hope of returning soon. On Friday, he said the decision to play is no longer his to make. ''They [aren't] going to let me do it,'' Marion said when asked if he would test the groin during warm-ups Saturday in an attempt to play. ``Even if ..."

Heat and Raptors exchange medical records

Comment

January 22

New York Daily News

(scroll down)

"A deal that would send Jermaine O'Neal to Miami and Shawn Marion to Toronto is progressing. According to a league sources, the two teams have exchanged medical records, usually a precursor to a deal. The Knicks had talked to Miami about a Marion-for-Eddy Curry deal, but Curry has appeared in only one game this season due to a knee injury."

Heat's Marion out due to groin injury

Comment

January 19

NBA.com

"Shawn Marion was held out of the Miami Heat lineup Sunday night against Oklahoma City because of a strained left groin. Marion, who was hurt in Miami's loss at Houston on Saturday, was replaced in the lineup by Yakhouba Diawara. It's the fifth game Marion has missed this season, and his third with the groin injury. He also missed two games in November with a similar injury."

Riley downplays trade rumor

Comment

January 19

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Heat President Pat Riley, in his first public comments about a potential trade for Toronto's Jermaine O'Neal, cautioned that the deal is not imminent. While not denying interest in O'Neal, Riley said in a team statement released Sunday that reports about the potential trade were premature. "It's typical this time of the year in the NBA that people put the cart before the horse," Riley said. "Whoever is saying that is putting the cart before the horse." The Heat is considering sending forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks to the Raptors for O'Neal. But Riley is concerned about O'Neal's immediate availability after he recently missed nine games with a sore knee. O'Neal, 30, played 17 ..."

Heat discussing trade of Shawn Marion for Jermaine O'Neal

Comment

January 18

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Heat is discussing a trade that would send Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Toronto for forward/center Jermaine O'Neal but the deal is on hold as the Heat continues to monitor O'Neal's health. Toronto President Bryan Colangelo would like to complete the deal soon. However, it may not happen until closer to the Feb. 19 trade deadline due to Heat president Pat Riley's concerns about O'Neal's immediate readiness with the Heat in contention for a playoff berth. O'Neal recently returned after a nine-game absence due to a knee injury. O'Neal, though injured often during his 13-year career, would fill the Heat's glaring need for a low-post scorer. With $45 million due over the next two ..."

Miami Heat Should Trade Shawn Marion Soon

Comment

January 15

Miami Herald

"We interrupt this refreshing and entertaining Heat season with news that it won't remain this way. The success, excitement and playoff pace likely will continue. Anytime your team features one of the league's top three players at the peak of his greatness, it's a safe guess that any game is winnable, and maybe even a playoff series or two. It's the personnel that is likely to feature a significant alteration. The chances of Shawn Marion remaining with the Heat for the balance of this season are quite slim. And the thought here is that it would be in the Heat's best interest to trade this bouncy All-Star forward soon. This isn't an indictment of Marion as a player. On the right team, for ..."

Heat's Shawn Marion might return

Comment

January 5

Miami Herald

"Heat forward Shawn Marion said he expects to play Monday against San Antonio after missing Saturday's game because of back spasms. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Marion aggravated his back in Friday's loss in Orlando. Marion initially was injured Dec. 19 against the Los Angeles Lakers, when Heat center Joel Anthony fell on top of him. Marion, who was a late scratch for Saturday's game against the Nets, missed his fourth game of the season. ''It just locked up on me, and I couldn't move,'' Marion said after Saturday's overtime win. Spoelstra said Marion was in pain when he arrived for Saturday's walkthrough, but was optimistic the team's leading rebounder -- he averages 9.2 -- would be ..."

Spoelstra turns to Marion as stopper

Comment

December 22

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"After opposing shooting guards had their way against the Heat during the team's recent three-game losing streak, coach Erik Spoelstra turned to his bullpen. Since summoning Shawn Marion as his relief defender, the Heat has won two in a row and can match last season's 15-win total Tuesday against Golden State. With Dwyane Wade carrying as large an offensive load as any player in the league, Spoelstra moved to alleviate some of the overall burden by utilizing Marion as the prime defender against opposing shooting guards. The results have been encouraging, with Marion holding the Lakers' Kobe Bryant relatively in check Friday night and then shutting down the Nets' Vince Carter on Saturday ..."

Heat's Marion ignores trade rumors

Comment

December 18

Miami Herald

"If trade rumors are bothering Heat forward Shawn Marion, he isn't letting on publicly. ''What am I going to do, panic every time somebody says something?'' Marion said. According to a Yahoo.com report, the Heat and Cavaliers were discussing a deal that would send Marion to Cleveland for center Anderson Varejao and forward Wally Szczerbiak. League sources said no deal is imminent. Because Marion is in the final year of his contract, the veteran said he entered the season prepared to deal with being mentioned in various trade scenarios. ''The reality of it is if somebody wants to say something one day they can say it,'' Marion said. ``How far is it going to carry? It can go all way the way ..."

Marion brushes off trade talk

Comment

December 18

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Perhaps this is what is to be expected when you're the NBA's 12th highest-paid player and in a contract year. Perhaps it's to be expected when you're a transition player caught on a team that lately has been forced into an abundance of half-court basketball amid a three-game losing streak. Or perhaps it's merely just another day of working in a rumor-driven, Internet-perpetuated, talk-radio-fueled industry. "This league is built on everybody making up rumors or saying stuff," Heat forward Shawn Marion said after Wednesday's practice, as his team prepared for Friday's game against the visiting Lakers. Tuesday's day off started inauspiciously, with Yahoo Sports reporting talks between the ..."

Marion could be defensive edge for Cavs

Comment

December 16

Yahoo! Sports

"As the Cleveland Cavaliers relentlessly try to accumulate talent to surround MVP favorite LeBron James, the unending question is this: Do they dare mess with a franchise on a collision course with the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals? The Cavaliers have had ongoing discussions with the Miami Heat about an Anderson Varejao and Wally Szczerbiak for Shawn Marion trade, a league executive familiar with the discussions said. So, here is what the Cavs are asking themselves now: Do we dare? Miami has had discussions with several teams lately on Marion, including the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings, sources say, but Cleveland could deliver the most intriguing proposition. ..."

Marion to miss Blazers game

Comment

November 25

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Heat forward Shawn Marion will miss Wednesday's game in Portland due to the death of a great uncle. The funeral in Dermott, Ark., is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday. "Even if I took a private jet, I couldn't get there in time," he said of the 10 p.m. game against the Trail Blazers, the start of a five-game Western swing. He said he would rejoin the team in time for Thursday's practice in Phoenix. "All my family's real close," he said. "We're tight-knit." Marion has missed two games this season due a strained left groin, with the Heat 1-1 in his absence, including a home loss to Portland, the type of athletic opponent where his style could have a decided impact."