Suns 5-On-5: Looking Back On Shawn Marion’s Career
5. How bittersweet was it to watch Marion win a ring in Dallas?
Bourguet: I was happy for him more than anything else. I know there’s a sizable contingent of Suns fans that still hold the way Marion left against him, but what great player in this franchise’s history HASN’T left on less than stellar terms at this point? Amar’e Stoudemire, Goran Dragic, even Steve Nash left in less than optimal fashion recently. Given that recurring trend, it’s become more prudent to cheer for former Suns greats and remember the good times than dwell on the sadness.
Chasen: It was definitely bittersweet in some ways, but I think looking back now, and realizing that it’s almost been a decade since Marion played for the Suns, I really am glad he was able to get a ring. And you also have to remember that getting a ring really helps his Hall of Fame case, although I think he should be in regardless based on his body of work. I wouldn’t have minded seeing him pick up a second with Cleveland this year, but it wasn’t in the cards.
Hann: Not bittersweet at all. It was well overdue for a player that should go down in the Hall of Fame one day (only player besides Hakeem Olajuwan to average 15 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.o BPG for his career). The only negative feelings were those of the “what-if” nature when watching Marion celebrate with his Dallas teammates. What if the Suns had held on to him just a little longer? Nonetheless, Marion was a great player, great person and will forever be loved in the Phoenix community.
Sanders: I had no bitterness at all watching Marion win a title with Dallas. The former Sun was and still is one of my all-time favorite players and I was 100 percent cheering for him to get a ring. It also didn’t hurt that he defeated LeBron James and the Miami Heat the year after he left Cleveland (I’m a Cleveland sports fan, I accept everyone’s condolences). In fact, that entire Dallas Mavericks team holds a special place in my heart for denying LeBron a ring that season.
Schall: Maybe it’s easier to say as someone who isn’t a lifelong Suns fan, but absolutely not. I loved that Mavs team, Marion, Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, even Peja Stojakovic got screwed so many times by the giants of the Western Conference it was awesome to see them all get a ring.
Next: Pat Connaughton: Phoenix Suns 2015 Draft Profile