Marion For Odom Could Be A Reality
According to both Sportingnews.com and Paul Coro there is a good chance that Shawn Marion is on his way out of Phoenix. Earlier today Coro suggested a Marion for Odom deal had and was being discussed and SportingNews.com tonight says it comes down to Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss signing off on the deal.
Marion had this to say this evening to Paul Coro of the Republic:
“I’m tired of hearing my name in trades. I love my fans in Phoenix, but I think it’s time for me to move on.”
If this wasn’t bad enough SportingNews.com reported that Marion killed a deal to the Celtics that would have brought KG to the Suns. Here is what Shawn said:
Suns had a deal in place to send Marion to the Celtics — Boston had agreed to extend his contract if the trade went through. “I didn’t like that,” Marion said. “It was like they were trying to force my hand by taking the Boston deal. I have been with this team my whole career. I was like, ‘Wow.’ ”
(Thanks for keeping the Suns from getting an all time great in KG Shawn)
With quotes like these it is time for Marion to pack his bags. His “poor me” act has worn out its welcome and he has become more trouble than it’s worth for the Suns. If he doesn’t go before Monday, the start of training camp, he will be nothing but a giant distraction. Bring in Odom or AK47 or anyone else that is versatile and capable of running. It’s time to get down to the business of winning a championship and if Marion is more worried about a 3 year $60 Million contract extention, like he is even worth anywhere near that, than he isn’t going to be focused enough to help Phoenix reach that goal.
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Posted by Greg Esposito
Co-founder of AzSportsHub.com. Greg provides the sometimes serious, sometimes sarcastic and always interesting takes on Arizona sports (at least we hope). Whether it’s on In The Zona with Matt or in his column Greg reports, rants and raves about whatever is in the news for Arizona Sports.
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Why is trying to get the best deal for yourself a bad thing? Pretty sure you do it within your job, I know I sure as hell do. I find it amazing that we often set expectations for athletes way higher than we set for ourselves.
And it’s his fault he didn’t want to go to Boston? Ummm… please.
The problem is he does have the best deal. He is the highest paid player on the Suns and is going to earn $17.6 million dollars next season. Of course we hold them to way higher standards because they are making millions of dollars and shouldn’t ***** about it when they are the best paid guy on a team where they are probably the third best player.
And yes it is his fault that he didn’t want to go to Boston. They were willing to give him the money he desired so if he was just trying to get the best deal he could have had it with the Celtics.
Greg, how does that notion fit in with Michael Vick, Barry Bonds et al?
Hell, in my native Australia, the naivety of the sports fan is taking a massive hit at the moment - recreational drugs appear to be rampant throughout sports, and the fans never saw it coming. Verily, I was told by a fairly prominent US sports writer that US fans didn’t really hold athletes up to be ‘role models’ any more.
What’s wrong with wanting what everyone else wants? More money, and a work environment where you want to be?
Honestly? I think you’re looking at it through the eyes of a ‘fan’… and that’s ok - when it comes to my team I’m pretty much the same (hell… I’m hopeful my team becomes part of this very issue!)
I really enjoyed this article at a blog I was previously unfamiliar with:
http://kevinbroom.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/wanting-more-money-is-not-a-character-defect/
Sums up my own feelings fairly succinctly.
I don’t think that athletes have ever been, should ever be or will ever be saints. My point is a guy can’t expect more then the fair market value for his services just like anyone else in the working world. I may want to be paid 40 thousand more for my job but my boss knows that it’s way above what market value is for my position.
I agree that a person should be able to work in an environment that they want to be but Shawn knew from day one that playing in the NBA meant he could be traded somewhere he didn’t necessarily want to play.
It’s tough to look at sports from a real world perspective because it is far removed from the realm of reality.
I do agree though, I probably am looking at it from a fans perspective but that’s the only view I can look at it from right now.
And as I said: Fair call (on fan’s perspective)…
As far as Marion knowing that he could be traded anywhere, it’s also common knowledge that players can affect that. And he did. I fail to see where the harm is (other than Phoenix losing out on the KG sweepstakes).
You bring up market value - currently Marion is earning the top dollar that he could for where he is in his career. What’s wrong for him asking for more of the same?
I agree: I don’t think he’s worth it. And I also think that the two players in question as far as being possible trades (Odom & Kirilenko) both fit in the Suns organisation better than Marion does… overall.
But nothing wrong in pursuing the best dollar for your services.