Dallas Mavericks: Shawn Marion should make the Hall of Fame next year

Former Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion should make the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2019 for his legendary NBA career.

The Dallas Mavericks are set to see two former players inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sept. 7.  Two astonishing point guards in Steve Nash and Jason Kidd are well deserving of their 2018 induction, but could the Mavs make it two years in a row with an inductee?

Marion set to join them

Former Maverick Shawn Marion should make the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame class of 2019.  His 16 NBA seasons included four All-Star appearances, two All-NBA teams, and sustained production over a 16-year career.

Marion began his career with the Suns, but Dallas was a massive part of that.  Just days before the draft in 1998, the Mavs acquired Steve Nash in a trade for three players and the pick that became Marion.  The Matrix was the ninth overall selection and had a breakout sophomore campaign on the Suns.

He followed that up with five consecutive seasons as a premier scorer and defender in Phoenix.  Marion played his first eight and a half seasons with the Suns and averaged 18.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game in a massive 37.8 minutes a night.  He was a nightmare matchup for any player in the league during that stretch.

Time with Dallas

Shawn Marion was traded to the Mavericks in a massive four-team deal in 2009.  Jerry Stackhouse and Hedo Turkoglu were two of the eight players involved in the wild swap.

Marion was 31 years old when he arrived in Dallas but continued to be a plus defender who shot the ball efficiently and was a skilled rebounder.  He was the fourth leading scorer on the Mavs 2011 NBA championship team.

Marion played five seasons in Dallas.  He averaged 11.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.6 blocks per game over that span while playing 30.4 minutes a night.  The Matrix was always a fun player to watch, and Mavs fans will always remember his role in winning that 2011 ring.

Final thoughts

Former Dallas Maverick Shawn Marion should be in the Hall of Fame next year.  Looking to see Marion on the court?  Enjoy the video here of the top ten plays of his career.  Warning, he dunks on Dirk in one of the clips which may still be a little upsetting to watch.

Mavs fans are wishing the best for Marion in his Hall of Fame candidacy in 2019.  He is deserving of inclusion, but you never know until the votes are totaled.  Best of luck.

The Smoking Cuban strives to be the website where diehard Dallas Mavericks fans go for content that they cannot find anywhere else.  Please check back with our site often for all the opinions and analysis that you desire to view.  Thank you for reading.