His Achievements
Aside from the four NBA All-Star appearances, Marion was also a two time All-NBA Third Team selection (2005-06). He never brought a title to Phoenix, but he eventually earned a ring for himself with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, when he was well past his prime.
Marion played for the Heat, Mavs, Toronto Raptors and now the Cleveland Cavaliers, but never reached his peak statistically like he did in Phoenix.
Having an NBA championship to his name certainly helps his case for the Hall of Fame. Marion wasn’t a driving force on that Mavs team, but he wasn’t a washed-up veteran who simply rode the bench either.
The Matrix averaged 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor that championship season. He also played superb defense throughout the postseason, guarding everyone from Brandon Roy to Kobe Bryant to Kevin Durant to Dwyane Wade to LeBron James en route to the title.
Marion is without question one of the most versatile and well-balanced players the NBA has ever seen, even if his ugly jump shot and waning athleticism in his later years have made some forget. He never won a title in his prime, but he’s racked up some pretty remarkable numbers over his 15-year career.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, Marion is one of only four players in NBA history to tally at least 17,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals and 1,000 blocks. The other three? Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett. Two of those are already in the Hall of Fame, and KG will be a First Ballot Hall of Famer as soon as he’s eligible.
Next: Similar Cases