Shawn Marion To Take MLE?

by JordanLeDoux on Jun 26, 2009 2:29 AM PDT

“They also have had positive feedback from Marion about the possibility of him returning to play small forward.

With a tight job market the Raptors are hopeful an offer in the range of three years for $21-million might be enough to keep him in Toronto.

“The indication is he wants to be here,” Colangelo said. “And the message we’ve given him is we’d like him back, he fits this roster and we’ll try to make it happen.”

I bet we could force them into a S&T that's cap neutral and slightly more than the MLE as I proposed in my comprehensive Blazer offseason

Since I went into some depth in my linked post, I'll recap it. Basically I cited the fact that I thought many Portland fans would have an irrational distaste for Marion, but that at ~$7-8 million for three years he was nearly an ideal choice for the team.

Some questioned his willingness to play third fiddle to Roy/Aldridge, but being positive about staying in Toronto clearly shows that he's not as self-centered in that respect as many here thought. He could get the MLE anywhere.

Some thought he couldn't be had that sheap, though clearly it looks like he's going to be had almost 30% cheaper.

And some thought he has character issues. Honestly, the only character issues I've seen are that he isn't very forgiving. He takes things personally and holds grudges. You know who else is like that? Lamarcus Aldridge. I don't see how anyone can say they wouldn't want him for under half what he got payed last season at a position of need simply because he has a trait that Aldridge has in spades.

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Thanks a lot!

You just pissed off Aldridge.

"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over."

by GonzoFan on Jun 26, 2009 2:54 AM PDT reply actions

It true though.

From Russia With Love

by L-TrainFTW! on Jun 26, 2009 3:07 AM PDT up reply actions

After reading 7 seconds or less

a lot of the shine came off of Marion.

In summary he lets his grudges and sense of not being appreciated spill over onto the court. In the book the coaching staff spent a lot of time trying so soothe his wounded ego to get him to play up to his potential, and even then they could not coax a full effort out of him.

I kind of see him as a guy we sign if most other doors shut.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jun 26, 2009 3:31 AM PDT reply actions

Rather go for Hinrich and Deng first.

Maybe Marion can be plan C or D.

by BlazerBen on Jun 26, 2009 8:07 AM PDT reply actions

Marion was great on the Suns

but he disappeared after he left. He’s great defensively, but he may have trouble playing 4th fiddle behind a bunch of younger, better players.

by ninjasocks on Jun 26, 2009 9:18 AM PDT reply actions

> He takes things personally and holds grudges. You know who else is like that? Lamarcus Aldridge. I don’t see how anyone can say they wouldn’t want him for under half what he got payed last season at a position of need simply because he has a trait that Aldridge has in spades.

so you want TWO guys with that personality trait on this team? – Elgin

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Jun 26, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

Marion is a skill upgrade over Outlaw, Batum, and Webster

He’s a better defender than any of them, but you just forced a trade of two of these three, probably Outlaw and Webster. It could work if Marion has figured out he’s not as good as he thinks he is, which is why he’s been traded twice in two years. Plus, even setting potential chemistry issues aside he’s on a different time-line than the Blazers core.

We’ll see how the FA season goes, but I don’t expect KP to make any moves at SF, so I doubt Marion is a target.

by baduk on Jun 26, 2009 12:03 PM PDT reply actions

He does stroke the corner 3 nicely

Also he’s a way above average defender and redounder. But the issue with him is the whole culture thing, he left a lot of burning bridges when he left the Suns.

2-4 the who

by 24thewho on Jun 26, 2009 1:09 PM PDT reply actions