Ex-Rebel Marion makes one last title push
Veteran’s role diminished, but he embraces chance to help Cleveland prevail
When the NBA Finals begins today, take a good look at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ bench.
Among the reserves is a familiar face for UNLV fans, though the face is somewhat older than the one they remember sporting a huge grin as he was running up and down the floor at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Shawn Marion is winding down what has been an impressive NBA career. Marion, who played one season for the Rebels in 1998-99 before turning pro and becoming a lottery pick of the Phoenix Suns, is in his 16th and final season.
In those 16 seasons, he has averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds, was a fourtime All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team and a big part of the Dallas Mavericks team that won the 2011 NBA championship.
But in Cleveland, where LeBron James is the center of the Cavaliers’ universe, Marion, who was given the nickname “The Matrix” early in his career with the Suns, is one of the moons of Saturn. He’s pretty much on the outside looking in.
During the postseason, he has played in six games for a total of 25 minutes, is 1 of 6 shooting and has six rebounds.
However, his experience makes him a valuable asset in the locker room. He can be a source of information for Cleveland’s younger players.
“It’s all about being professional,” Marion told reporters last week before the Cavaliers advanced to the Finals by sweeping Atlanta. “It takes all of us to do our part. Whether it’s getting guys ready behind the scenes or playing two minutes here or three minutes here. Whatever it takes to win, we’re ready.”
Cavaliers coach David Blatt wishes he could use Marion more, but roles have been defined and Marion’s is more cheerleader than player.
“He knows why he came here,” Blatt said before the playoffs began after Marion averaged 4.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 19.3 minutes in 57 regular-season games. “He had options. He wanted to be part of something new and exciting in Cleveland. If he plays 10 minutes or 25 minutes, he gives us maximum effort. That’s why he’s such a pro.”
This generation of UNLV fans might barely remember Marion’s stay in Las Vegas because it was so brief. They’re more familiar with another Cavs player with Las Vegas ties — former Findlay Prep star forward Tristan Thompson.
But during that 1998-99 season playing for Bill Bayno, Marion led the Rebels in scoring (18.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) and made the All-Western Athletic Conference first team.
“I remember how coachable he was,” said current Rebels coach Dave Rice, an assistant on Bayno’s staff. “He was so unselfish. He never asked a play to be run for him. He would create his own offense by getting rebounds and making plays.”
Rice said the entire staff knew Marion, a junior college transfer, wasn’t coming back for his senior year. And when the Suns took him ninth overall in the 1999 draft, the coaches understood.
“What people may not know is that Shawn finished out that spring semester in the classroom,” Rice said. “He could have easily left and gotten ready for the NBA. But that’s the kind of person he is.”
Rice said Marion has remained supportive of the program.
“He’s very proud of his (UNLV) roots,” Rice said. “Shawn has been a great ambassador for UNLV, and he’s had a remarkable career. You look at his numbers, and they’re really impressive.”
Marion said the wide-open offense Golden State runs looks familiar to the one Mike D’Antoni ran when they were together in Phoenix.
“Man, it was awesome,” he said Wednesday after the Cavaliers worked out at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. “It was fun. We were able to play a pro style where people couldn’t guard us.
“It definitely is small ball. It was interesting, and it definitely opened some doors for some different things.”
He doesn’t put up big numbers anymore, unless you count his Twitter following (@Matrix31), which numbers more than 519,000 and enjoys his “Socks of the day” tweets.
But Marion said he’ll be ready if Blatt needs him against Golden State.
“I live for that,” he said. “It’s tough sitting and watching. But it’s all for the team concept.” Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.