It took 2 months for Naji Marshall to deliver what Mavericks fans begged for

On the opening night of free agency, it was clear that the Dallas Mavericks had pivoted from their original No. 1 priority of re-signing Derrick Jones Jr.

Jones Jr. had originally made it clear he wanted to return to Dallas in free agency, but a wild first day of free agency saw Jones Jr. hire a new agent while the Mavs rolled with their backup option and signed Naji Marshall to a three-year deal.

It was clear after they signed Marshall that Jones Jr. wouldn't be returning, and while Mavs fans were hesitant about virtually swapping Marshall for Jones Jr. at first, Marshall has quickly turned into a fan favorite in Big D and silenced the fear that he couldn't impact the game as much as Jones Jr. did. He is averaging 10.9 points per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field, and he has played exceptionally during Luka Doncic's absences due to injuries this season.

Marshall is averaging 14.8 points per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 48.3 percent from downtown in nine games without Doncic this season, and he thrives when given the opportunity of having an increased role. While his performance last night against the Phoenix Suns was a relatively quiet one in Doncic's first game being out following his strained calf, he did finally deliver one thing that every Mavs fan was excited about when they signed him over the summer.

Marshall's enforcer tendencies light a fire among Mavs fans

Marshall was known as an enforcer for his entire career with the New Orleans Pelicans, and he displayed his tough nature in the second half of last night's game against the Phoenix Suns.

Jusuf Nurkic committed an offensive foul on Daniel Gafford while trying to back him down, and some chatter followed between Nurkic and Marshall and P.J. Washington as they were helping Gafford off the floor.

Nurkic then got in Marshall's space and open-handedly clubbed Marshall in the face, and Marshall responded by throwing a punch at Nurkic's face, barely clipping his ear and side of the face. Washington then responded by shoving Nurkic to the ground, and all three players were ejected.

While Marshall will undoubtedly be suspended following this altercation with Nurkic considering that he threw a punch at his face, fans are fired up that he stood up for Gafford. Mavericks fans knew that Dallas was getting someone who never backs down from anyone when the team signed Marshall, and fans finally got to witness what it looks like when someone messes with one of his teammates.

He didn't back down at all, and this is the exact type of flair you need from your role players. This play ignited some energy in the Mavs, and while they did lose two of their most important players since they got ejected, they were able to get the job done and win 98-89.

The Mavericks are going to miss Marshall for as long as his suspension ends up being, but fans definitely supported his decision to stand up for Gafford. Over the years, Mavs fans begged for the team to go out and sign tough-nosed players, and that's exactly what they have done over the last few years. It should be expected that Washington won't be suspended considering that he just shoved Nurkic, and the Mavs will have to find a way to win without Marshall for a few games.