Source: http://0rz.tw/PGDpf
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Newest Maverick fails to provide boost
Updated: October 28, 2009, 2:24 PM ET / By Tim MacMahon
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DALLAS -- After grabbing a microphone and giving a brief pep talk to the
sellout crowd moments before his Dallas Mavericks debut, Shawn Marion gave
the fans a glimpse of the impact he can make.
Then he ran out of gas.
The first seven minutes of Marion's tenure with the Mavericks were
spectacular. He hit his first three shots and was active defensively as
Dallas jumped out to a six-point lead over the Washington Wizards.
Marion didn't make much more noise until garbage time of the Mavericks'
102-91 loss Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center.
"It's a rhythm game," Marion said. "I got out of rhythm a little bit. My legs
got a little heavier."
His statistical line (16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and
a steal) was fine. But Marion didn't make the Mavericks better most of his
time on the floor. After his strong initial seven minutes, the Mavericks were
outscored by 21 with Marion on the court.
The Mavericks made a sign-and-trade deal for the 31-year-old Marion,
committing $40 million over five seasons, because they thought his
athleticism and versatility made him a perfect complement to the team's core.
Unfortunately, he spent most of the preseason nursing a strained right calf
instead of working with his new teammates.
It might take some time before the Mavs, who won't have fellow former
All-Star swingman Josh Howard for another two weeks or so, get the real
Matrix.
"We can't put that type of pressure on him in Game 1," Mavs point guard Jason
Kidd said. "He's still working his conditioning in and getting a feel for
everybody. To put him on that level of expecting big things out of the gate,
that's putting too much pressure."
Marion didn't play much during the preseason -- four halves over three games
-- but he was splendid in his limited exhibition time. He shot a ridiculous
77 percent from the floor, making it seem like his transition to the up-tempo
Mavs would be easy.
Yet he used the words "stagnant" and "confused" to describe his first game
that mattered as a member of the Mavericks. The huffing and puffing didn't
help Marion, who managed to air-ball a 3-pointer and come up short on a dunk
during his scoreless third quarter.
"He plays at such a high capacity," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's such a
great athlete, and when he runs and does everything at such full bore, he
gets winded quickly. If he's not in his best shape, the game's going to be a
little tougher for him. There's going to be a period here where he's got to
get himself in shape. But, look, he's obviously a terrific player."
Marion reported to training camp in magnificent shape. But it's impossible
for a player to maintain his conditioning when his leg won't let him run.
Marion's workouts were limited to the treadmill and exercise bike for most of
the past few weeks.
"That ain't nothin' really," Marion said of the stationary work. "That's not
the same."
Unless Marion can reach and maintain his peak form, the Mavericks will have a
tough time moving forward in the Western Conference.
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