Shawn Marion expands the Matrix

[Sunstroke]

Hopefully some of this board's NBA fans have caught the amazing back-to-back games that the Suns' Shawn Marion has had since the all-star break ended. Last night, in a runfest with the lowly Bobcats, Matrix set a career high in rebounds as part of this impressive statline:

31 points, 24 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 11/19 FG, 2/4 3pt, 7/9 FT

Really impressive stuff, but it was - in my opinion - slightly less impressive than his previous game, three nights earlier against the Celtics, when Shawn set a career high in scoring as part of:

44 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 steals, 15/22 FG, 4/7 3pt, 10/10 FT

So, because the numbers just look so cool when combined, Shawn's two games since the break:

75 pts, 39 rebs, 5 blocks, 5 steals, Shooting .634/.545/.894

And, more important than individual stats, the Suns are on a 6-game win streak and have extended their lead in the Pacific to 6 full games.

GO SUNS!! [/size]

[EDGECRUSHER]

Yes, Isaiah Thomas built a fine franchise in Phoenix. What was the trade again, Marbury and Hardaway for Kurt Thomas, our first rounder, a future first rounder and about $25 Million?

[Sunstroke]

Yes, Isaiah Thomas built a fine franchise in Phoenix. What was the trade again, Marbury and Hardaway for Kurt Thomas, our first rounder, a future first rounder and about $25 Million?

Nah, Kurt was this past offseason...the Marbury-Hardaway deal was in 2004. We got McDyess, Ward, Eisley and a couple of eurobusts. We released all three of the others at the end of that season in a cap purge.

We actually didn't get anywhere near that amount of cash...that $25 million was how much we dropped in salary for that season. If I remember correctly, the cash amount was around $3-4 million. What that trade effectively did was create enough space to go out and sign Steve Nash, and I think that's paid off pretty well so far.

Bottom line...Phoenix has made some savvy basketball moves lately. Not surprising when a dude named Colangelo calls the shots for your franchise.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Expiring contracts for long term contracts? Yeah, that sounds like Isaiah.

The Knicks still owe Phoenix a first rounder before 2010 and knowing Isaiah it isn't lottery protected. Of course, we have the Spurs and Nuggets first rounders this year, so if he were smart(but he isn't), he would just ship that off to Phoenix right now.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Yes, Isaiah Thomas built a fine franchise in Phoenix. What was the trade again, Marbury and Hardaway for Kurt Thomas, our first rounder, a future first rounder and about $25 Million?

The Knicks got Marbury and Hardaway.  The Suns got a bunch of castoff players whose contracts were expiring, and a couple of draft picks. 

[jtex316]

How come Marion has the most retarded looking 3-point shot attempt? 

[Sunstroke]

How come Marion has the most retarded looking 3-point shot attempt?

You mean the "flick it from the chin" release? It used to bother me when Shawn first got to the Suns, but now I just look at his shot as being "funky looking but pretty damned accurate."   

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

How come Marion has the most retarded looking 3-point shot attempt? 

I too have always hated his shot, but I love watching him play in general. He is one of the really exciting guys to watch in the NBA.

[Fau Teixeira]

Bottom line...Phoenix has made some savvy basketball moves lately. Not surprising when a dude named Colangelo calls the shots for your franchise.

not any more

bye bye colangelo !

[Sunstroke]

not any more

bye bye colangelo !

All the rumors about Jerry working as a consultant to Sarver smack true enough that I think Brian's departure to Toronto will still leave us with a Colangelo in the mix.

[JVides]

You mean the "flick it from the chin" release? It used to bother me when Shawn first got to the Suns, but now I just look at his shot as being "funky looking but pretty damned accurate

I call it the "T-Rex" release; he short-arms it so much, he looks like a...well...T-Rex.

[Sunstroke]

I call it the "T-Rex" release; he short-arms it so much, he looks like a...well...T-Rex.

Matrix-Rex followed up the two monster games above with another impressive performance on the road in Houston tonight: 30 pts, 18 rebounds, 3 steals and the Suns win by 17.

Shawn is on fire...so are the Suns.

[JVides]

Matrix-Rex followed up the two monster games above with another impressive performance on the road in Houston tonight: 30 pts, 18 rebounds, 3 steals and the Suns win by 17.

Shawn is on fire...so are the Suns.

"Your guys" and "my guys" seem destined for a hell of a playoff series, once my Spurs dust off the Mavs, of course.  I'm looking forward to that playoff series. 

[Sunstroke]

Props to Shawn Marion and Dwyane Wade for being named named western/eastern conference players of the month for February.

Marion showed why he was worthy tonight against Milwaukee...Came back into the game at 7:48 of 4th quarter after the Bucks' 16-4 spurt had closed the Suns' lead to 8 points. Over the next 3:12, Marion hit 4 shots, including a trey for 9 quick points and 4 rebounds... Suns go up by 16 and slam the door for their 8th straight win, 123-110

Marion finishes with 29 pts, 18 rebounds and 3 blocks...simply on fire!

...and Amare's almost back. :-)

GO SUNS!

[/glow]

"Your guys" and "my guys" seem destined for a hell of a playoff series, once my Spurs dust off the Mavs, of course. I'm looking forward to that playoff series.

Mavs are looking really tough this year, but I know that my Suns have to go through San Antonio to get to the Finals. It's a fact of life in today's western conference. I DO believe that the Suns have a team better designed to defend against the Spurs than in years past, so...we'll have to wait and see.  Any time the Suns and Spurs face off, it's a helluva battle!