This might not be a popular opinion--even given the lukewarm response the Hedo possibility is receiving--but I think that I might prefer Shawn Marion to Hedo Turkoglu. Marion is a better rebounder and defender than Hedo. His three point shooting absolutely abandoned him this past year, but his eFG% and TS% were both similar. Even in a bad bad year Marion's PER was still better than Hedo's. Marion is about 10 months older than Hedo, but I have to think that he'd be more cheap and he might be a better fit than Turkoglu. Am I crazy in even contemplating this? Ed O.
Re: Shawn Marion Not at all crazy, although the main negative I see with Marion is his inability to create his own shot. Assuming Outlaw would be on the bench at the end of games with Marion on the floor, who besides Roy could create their own offense late in the shot clock?
Re: Shawn Marion I think Marion would be a bad fit here. He seems to excel in the open court more so than in a plodding half court offense. If our offense was more up tempo I would like him more as well.
Re: Shawn Marion It's all about the contract length/money, isn't it? I could definitely get on board with Marion, if we also added Hinrich. We're going to need his perimeter shooting. Hinrich, Roy, Marion, Aldridge, Oden. That sounds like a pretty good defensive team, doesn't it?
Re: Shawn Marion Marion might be cheaper? I thought he was looking for a big pay day. I think he's a superior player to Turkoglu...even for the same cost, I'd rather have Marion (at which point, my point guard preference would shift from Miller to Hinrich for outside shooting purposes). If Marion were actually cheaper, it would be a no-brainer to me. Marion would be a tremendous addition. PG: Hinrich SG: Roy SF: Marion PF: Aldridge C: Oden That would be a tremendous lineup, if Hinrich could also be acquired. At least as efficient offensively as last season (and probably more so, as Marion is a better offensive player than Batum and Hinrich is a slightly better passer than Blake) and a much, much better defensive team especially with Batum and Przybilla still available off the bench to provide some defensive work as needed.
Re: Shawn Marion I guess I don't know how much he's going to get... I get the impression that he's lower in the pecking order than Hedo is. At least I see less written about him being in demand. Also, Hedo just played on the biggest stage in the NBA Finals, while Marion had maybe his worst season to date. It'll be interesting to see where he lands and how much he gets, irrespective of what Portland does. Ed O.
Re: Shawn Marion How many pretty good free agent small forwards are there? Turkoglu, Artest, Marion, Ariza (off the top of my head). How many teams have the ability to offer the big contracts that these guys probably feel they are worth? Toronto, Portland, Atlanta....I guess Houston can offer more to Artest (I doubt they will) and the Lakers will likely re-sign Ariza. Just doesn't seem to be that many teams looking to score the big small forward free agent. If Toronto takes Hedo, we take Marion?
Re: Shawn Marion I don't see anything written about him. I actually had forgotten about him with the Hinrich/Hedo tunnel vision we've all had for a few weeks on this board. They're completely different players, and Marion actually fits better into the current offense. Things will be tweaked for Hedo to have him handle the ball as a SF. I'm not sure which of these two scenarios is ideal. 54 wins with Nic Batum being non-existent on offense tells me something, but I'm not sure what it is.
Re: Shawn Marion Yeah, I think that's one of the reasons my eyes lit up when I saw this thread title. Marion definitely seems like a cheaper get, and brings the defense our team needs. The job he's done in the past on Tony Parker was fantastic for a small forward.
Re: Shawn Marion I wouldn't mind Marion too much either, and I don't think he'd be asking for $50 mil. I don't get the feeling that the Blazers are interested in him though, and he's gotten that rep of being a cancer in the locker room.
Re: Shawn Marion Marion's value for big money is only in a small-ball system where he can play the 4. I think he has been exposed elsewhere. MLE should be as high as someone pays him - and even that is a bit high.
Re: Shawn Marion I like the idea of Artest WAY better. Artest might be crazy but he's doesn't have as bad a rep in recent years as Marion has acquired. Locker room would definitely be hurt by Marion.
Re: Shawn Marion I would agree. Marion, while not a stellar defender, is much better than Hedo. It's a good thought.
Re: Shawn Marion Marion would be fine if he came cheap, like 5 million a year. Otherwise I don't think so. And Portland would have to grab a decent shooting PG or stay with Blake. Miller + Marion = bad shooting.
Re: Shawn Marion I say no. Only because Shawn Marion refused to sign my napkin at an Olive Garden in PHX when I was on vacation there about 7 years ago.
Re: Shawn Marion Marion works best when he's paired with a good PG in a faster-paced offense, which is why I'm not sure he fits in with you guys. I personally think he's headed to the Raptors. It'll be a longer negotiating process than some of the other big names out there, but there really aren't too many teams out there who can offer Toronto's mix of money and fit.
