Shawn Marion got his wish last season when he was traded to the Miami Heat. Marion felt he was not getting the spotlight he deserved in Phoenix playing in the shadows of Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. In Miami, he’d be able to spread his wings and show his true talents. Well, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Let’s say that his fantasy performance last year in Miami was more like that of “Matrix Revolutions” and not like the original “Matrix” movie we loved in Phoenix. Not bad but not as good as the original.  Let’s take a peep what you can expect from the Matrix this season.

Check out the numbers for Shawn Marion last year.

PHO ’07-’08 GP 47 – 15.8 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.5 bpg, 1.2 threes, 1.0 topg, 52.6 FG%, 71.3 FT%
MIA ’07-’08 GP 16 – 14.3 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.9 spg, 0.9 bpg, 0.5 threes, 2.3 topg, 45.9 FG%, 69.1 FT%

Marion’s trademark in the fantasy realm was his stat stuffing abilities to contribute across the board i.e. solid defensive numbers in combination with solid FG% and low turnovers. With Marion’s migration to Miami, his inability in creating his own shot was evident. The easy baskets and open baskets for Marion that were the norm with Nash at the helm in Phoenix were replaced by passes from Marcus Banks. Not quite the same thing, to say the least, would you not say? Last year, with Wade shutting it down due to injuries and the lack of a talented support cast, opponents were able to key in on Marion defensively. As a result his FG% and threes made dropped because he was taking tougher shots. Marion is the finisher and not the initiator of an offensive play. Marion was asked to be the initiator of the offense and although there was a slight bump in his assists/game, the turnovers increased. Marion’s rebounding numbers had a slight bump, the steals remained the same but the blocks numbers took a dip.

There is reason for optimism this season for Shawn Marion. First, Dwyane Wade is healthy and if his play during Olympic is any indication, Wade looks ready to ball this season. Secondly, Marion is playing for a contract and you know that he wants to get paid. This year, one can expect Marion to produce in between last season’s Miami and Phoenix numbers; 16 points, 10 rebs, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1.5 blocks, 1 three, 1.8 turnovers and 48 FG% are reasonable expectations. Marion’s stat stuffing ability is still worthy a first round pick.

Watch out, the Matrix is reloaded this year.