The Matrix and Hokey-Pokey Pat

It's difficult to tell which of the two is hurting Shawn Marion more these days.

His pride.

Or his strained left groin.

It's hard to tell which of the two is keeping him out of the lineup more, with the trade winds howling as the Feb. 19 trading deadline looms.

Will Marion be held out of Saturday's game against Orlando because the Heat doesn't want to risk more damage to Marion's body - and risk losing him for a larger chunk of games?

Or is this about holding him back to ensure he doesn't go out and rip the groin apart and damage - beyond repair - his trade value in advance of the deadline?

Heat president Pat Riley came out Thursday and said all of the right things.

He likes what the team is doing.

He appreciates the progress, coming off a 15-win season.

He feels bad that Marion has to be caught up in all of this speculation.

He's doing his due diligence with regards to upgrading the team through possible trades.

His phone rings constantly. And sometimes, medical reports get exchanged.

Nothing is imminent.

It's Hokey-Pokey Pat. Tell us just enough to fill a story, without really divulging much at all. That's because what he says is not as important as the fact that he said something to begin with.

But Marion may have trumped Riley on Friday with his own version of cryptic messages.

Asked if he appreciated the long talk Riley said he had with Marion and his agent through this difficult time, Marion offered his own version of talk that didn't really say much.

"What's done is done," Marion said. "It is what it is."

Huh? What's been done?

And if it is what it is, then what's it?

"I have much respect for Pat, and that's it."

These two are growing more difficult to read by the day.

But one thing's clear. Marion is caught between a team president and an agent who would rather not deal with one another. And because Marion is still here and not in Toronto or Dallas or Sacramento or New York, he's facing questions he'd rather not answer.

No one is really a victim, yet no one's hands are completely clean in this. Trust on all sides is breaking down. Or was it ever really there?

Believe me, this situation is growing more uncomfortable for all involved by the day.

And there's 26 more to go until the deadline passes.

Comments

[Luis]

trade him he sucks!!! diawara do the same things he does(not much) earning like 16 million less nuff said

[Sanford Hall]

I say let him go for a center, but where are u going to find a worthy center? Time to trade Haslem as well for better talent, Haslem has peaked already, there's no more upside to him. Let's build around Wade, Chalmers and the other rookie. I like the rookie first round pick, he is going to be a monster along with Wade. Chalmers could be a good surprise.

[Ken B.]

I hope Pat Riley is watching the O'Neal looks like a washed up hack who throws up jumpers and runs away from rebounds. There has got to be another center who could give us more. Brad Miller maybe?

[Ken B.]

I hope Pat Riley is watching the O'Neal looks like a washed up hack who throws up jumpers and runs away from rebounds. There has got to be another center who could give us more. Brad Miller maybe?

[Daniel]

Yes trade Marion, and while you are at it, get rid of Marcus Banks, Dorrell Wright, and Mark Blount too. Get what ever you can get as long as it expires in 2009 or 2010. Draft picks would be nice for this years draft too, alot of good seniors will be coming out along with all the usual slew of underclassmen. I figure draft players when you cant sign them in free agency. Wait till 2010 to start going free agent crazy.

[JP]

you guys are retarded. marion is a good perimeter defender that does things not seen in the box score and I agree that we will lose him at the end of the season because we cant afford him. at the same time, we cant trade him for an injured J.O. He looked like crap and has the past 3 games.
If you really think diawara is as good as marion you are STUPID. I think we need to stick with this current team unless we get a better offer for a center. as much as the experts say PG is important what this team really needs is a defensive minded center. Zo would have been perfect if he came back and gave 10 min a game but there was really no point at all because there's no way this team with him is a contender for the title. As of right now we're looking at a first round matchup of Cleveland or Orlando, and both teams have big men that will thrash us.

[laturka]

i say trade marion, banks, and haslem for amarai stoudemire and boris diaw

[typekeyinferno]

A good Center, yes, O'Neal, no.

Marion to Portland for Lafrentz & Aldridge.
Wright for Wilcox.

Blount for Tinsley.

Ahh, too much time on my hands

[dskz12]

Marion is one of the best 3rd options your going to find on a team, too bad he makes 1st option money...

It is unfortunate for him, because he is a solid, solid player.

[Bryan Leech]

Everyone that thinks marion needs to go is wrong. I am a huge heat fan and i know as well as the next that a center is needed. But i think they need to tough it out with the team they have. Playoffs is more than anyone expected and that would be outstanding. Let marion go in the offseason make a run at boozer then if we dont get him. We will draft a center im sure and then we wil have all the cap space needed to resign wade for one and make a run for a player like Chris Bosh Or Amare Staudemire. Wade Beasley and either one of them is a championship contending squad.

[BB]

From a guy who has seen every Raptor game this season you guys are way off. O'neal has a lot left and if you watch the 10 games or so before his last injury he was averaging about 20 and 9 with 2 blocks(season high 36 points). He had some sick low post moves working. His season numbers would be a lot better but it took him 10-15 games to get his timing back from long off season surgery and to learn the Raptors system. Also with Bargnani and Bosh he's not getting touches like he would in Miami.

[BB]

From a guy who has seen every Raptors game this season you guys are way off about O'neal. Check out his game log before his last injury and you'll see he was averaging over 20 and 9 with 2 blocks and a season high of 36 points. He has some sick low post moves and great D. His season numbers would be much better but it took him a while to get his timing back after long off season knee surgery(see D wade last year) and he had to learn the Raptors systems. Also he doesn't get lots of touches with Bosh and Bargnani as he would in Miami.

[Raps Fan]

Posted by: JP | January 24, 2009 at 03:32 AM

"i say trade marion, banks, and haslem for amarai stoudemire and boris diaw."

First off this would be a one sided trade that would nver happen. Secondly Diaw has all ready been traded!

[oneal]

i just won 43 million dollars in the ontario 6/49 lottery draw up in toronto im so hyped right now

[Wright for Nelson]

Hopefully DWright can prove himself worthy of that selection. It was a risky decision but Wright has more upside with what he can do if he was healthy and developing... Ifs and buts... when is due back?

[Glenn]

The ONLY good reason for the Raps to trade O'Neal for Marion is to free up a ton of salary money for 2009-2010. I'm a Raps fan and would hate to see the Raps lose O'Neal's ferocity and power in the key. Marion's a good player, but I hope he doesn't come to Toronto. The Suns could use Marion!!!!

[Raps Fan #2]

JP is right. You guys WILL get thrashed in the first round. O'Neal in the playoffs at least gives you a shot, a tougher out!!. Marion is gone in a couple of months so why not take what you can for now? O'Neals 23 million off the books NEXT year is a huge PRIZE!!!

For us, we cant wait!!! Our team DESPERATELY needs a wing to defend and the Raps (with Bargnani) will be moving back to an up tempo game rather than the half court that Sam Mitchell preferred.

Marion will thrive in our system and you guys get a post presence and Banks off your books NOW!!!

[T.O Raptors]

How could you have won 43 million dollars in the ontario 6/49 lottery the draw is tonight loser stop talking Sh#t you will make them think all canaians are as stupid as you GET A REAL JOB.

[T.O Raptors]

"canadians"

[Sean in WI]

i say trade marion, banks, and haslem for amarai stoudemire and boris diaw

Posted by: laturka | January 24, 2009 at 05:03 AM

WTF? Stodemire is trash; he dosn't play defense, no low post game, and has a attuide problem of being the only star on a team.

[David]

Incoming Players for Miami
Jermaine O'Neal
Salary: $21,372,000 Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 13.3 REB: 6.9 AST: 1.6 PER: 15.88
For
Toronto Raptors

Incoming Players
Shawn Marion
Salary: $17,810,000 Years Remaining: 1
PTS: 12.0 REB: 9.0 AST: 1.9 PER: 15.95

Marcus Banks
Salary: $4,260,000 Years Remaining: 3
PTS: 2.8 REB: 1.0 AST: 1.5 PER: 9.26

Enough Said, Marcus Banks Is A Huge Scrub, I Admire Shawn Marion, I'm A Huge Heat, Shawn Marion is one of the best players we've had at the Small Forward position despite his numbers.

We Also Need To Trade
Incoming Players for New Orleans Hornets
Yakhouba Diawara
Salary: $875,000 Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 3.5 REB: 1.2 AST: 0.4 PER: 8.04

Mark Blount
Salary: $8,513,916 Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 2.5 REB: 1.4 AST: 0.1 PER: 5.24
For
Miami Heat

Incoming Players
James Posey
Salary: $5,585,000 Years Remaining: 4
PTS: 10.0 REB: 4.8 AST: 1.2 PER: 14.00

Rasual Butler
Salary: $3,630,000 Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 9.7 REB: 2.7 AST: 0.7 PER: 12.71
And Its Possible Because Of The Salary Cap But That Will Never Happen

[Dave]

I agree, that will never happen. The Hornets would never trade two somewhat valuable players for a couple of scrubs...what would even make you think of such a deal. I would trade Mark Blount for a toothbrush, but I doubt any toothbrush company in their right mind would ever make such a worthless deal.

[Dave]

Apparently Michael Redd is on the trading block (which I have only recently become aware of), why hasn't anyone thought about going after Michael Redd? I know he doesn't fill the hole we have at center, but if we were at all pursuing Josh Howard, why not Michael Redd? I'm not saying he's the answer to our problems but he's out there and as Pat Riley always says, we need to look for a solution with due diligence. Thoughts?

[Dave]

Ah, nevermind, I thought Redd was a small forward a couple inches taller for some reason...never mind...we certainly don't need another SG.

[Dave]

How about David Lee? He seems to be on the market. He'd be a very undersized center (which is the position he's playing now) but he has been fairly productive as a Center (15.5 ppg and 11.5 boards). He wouldn't be a solution on defense but he could be a solution on offense and on the glass. We probably wouldn't even need to give up that much for him (I def wouldn't trade Marion for him). We could probably get him for spare parts. How about that?

[Dave]

Or maybe we could try to get a guy like Spencer Hawes on the cheap?

[mantis]

Shawn marion for brad miller done.

[kidrock]

Trade marion, jones and wrightfor dwight dwight howard! theres no best Center to play with wade than dwight howard

[genius]

kidrock, u need to get a grip.they wouldn't trade Howard for the entire Heat team except for Wade. nor would I.

Brad Miller will help us more than Marion does. he's not as good as JO but we can't risk JO being damaged goods and injury-prone. he's
a great passer--that is something we can really use down low...and he can shoot. he won't be much worse defensively than Mag/Joel

[Ken B.]

I agree with the Miller trade! Brad Miller rebounds better, scores easier, and passes WAY better. JO is washed up. WE need to NOT make that trade.

[It's LO]

From Phoenix, I find this hilarious. The only guy you are getting for him is someone with an expiring contract who makes as much money. He was overrated here, he can only thrive in one system. Good luck Shawn, max player my ass. Learn how to speak english.

[Anon.]

This is ridiculous.
Shawn Marion is one of our best players.
He's been helping with the wins we've gotten and I think it would be crazy to trade him.
Diawara is not better than him. If you think that than you've just got it wrong.
Sure Diawara has some good days?
And? Marion helps out every freaking game win or lose he helps out greatly.

For that bro trade freaking Haslem.
In my opinion Shawns more suited for us than Haslem.

[Anon.]

This is ridiculous.
Shawn Marion is one of our best players.
He's been helping with the wins we've gotten and I think it would be crazy to trade him.
Diawara is not better than him. If you think that than you've just got it wrong.
Sure Diawara has some good days?
And? Marion helps out every freaking game win or lose he helps out greatly.

For that bro trade freaking Haslem.
In my opinion Shawns more suited for us than Haslem.

[ebag]

first of all, if we trade marion we are screwed at small forward. so it's not a bad idea to keep him. but he is gone after this season, so if we can get a decent player for a couple years, it's worth thinking about. that is why there are so many rumors.

but j. o'neal and b. miller give us the same thing: a center who is better than average, but no match for d. howard or k. garnett. so either trade gets us bounced in the second round instead of the first.

therefore, i think the best idea is to look for a some youth.

tyson chandler would be the ideal fit, but nobody wants to help me get that rumor started. c'mon big mike!

josh howard would be good, but he seems to be off the table.

ty thomas and/or k. hinrich would be a great pickup, but i don't see the bulls doing that.

i live in portland, and i can tell you the blazers would be a good partner. they could use the matrix. but you can forget about aldridge, they are not trading him. they do have a glut of good young small forwards and point guards. if the heat can get one or two guards from the blake/sergio/rudy/bayless group and a forward or two from the outlaw/frye/french kid group, that would be a good deal for both teams.

[markied]

i can never understand why people say brad miller is better than JO...give me a break. you talk about how good a passer miller is, wtf do we need a passing center, we need an inside force, and as my man said above, before JO's latest injury, he was ballin back to his old form. If he is healthy then we are set. What has Miller done recently anyways? My question from before the season was why didnt we offer a sign and trade with marion and some fill-in for okafor since there were conflicts with his contract. now look what he's doin.

you guys are dumb, JO and marion are avg about the same this year, so it cant hurt us, second, at least we get a center tall enough to match up better against KG, D.Howard, third, he comes off the books in 2010 and isnt that when we want cap space? Wtf is Brad miller going to do for us, give a nice pass to wade...jokers

[Sam M]

Does Brad Miller play defence? has he ever blocked a shot? JO averages 2 blocks for his career. The most important thing for a center is DEFENCE. Brad is a better passer, but he cant create his own shot. and he plays like a PF, he has never posted up before, and i have never seen him demand the ball. all in all, JO is WAY better than miller, just more injury prone.

[C E]

I Like the Marion to Portland trade with us getting back a jared bayless, travis outlaw and maybe Lafrenze or Frye.

[grootegoed]

MARION, BEASLEY, BANKS

FOR

CHRIS BOSH AND MOON. DONT EVEN WAIT FOR 2010, JUST GET BOSH NOW.

[ebag]

after we get bosh, we should trade cook and chalmers for chris paul