:::: HANDLE ISSUE 005 COVER STORY: Shawn Marion FEATURES: Marquis Daniels, Erin Phillips, Darryl McDonald, ABA Spotlight PLUS: NBA Dunk Comp Highlights, Channing Frye, Bliss N Eso, SHOEnanigans, The latest NBA jerseys, Ken Hell & Weapon X and more!

Shawn Marion: Q&A

This season you rank 2nd in the NBA in double-doubles. Do you keep track of your stats during the season?

Nah, I don’t even think about the numbers. I go out there and get a lot of double doubles because I try and do what it takes, and how many other small forwards go out there and do that? Plus, my rebounding helps fuel everything we do – getting on the fast break, and scoring in transition, and all that type of stuff.

Did you realistically expect the Suns to get to 50 wins and clinch the Pacific Division without Amare?

Yeah, I did. I also thought we still had a pretty good chance of getting to 60 wins again this season.

Now that you’re considered one of the premier forwards in the league, have you put more pressure on yourself to make the All-NBA teams?

Yeah, but I think I should’ve made the First Team last season.

Who do you credit with helping your game get to the All-Star level?

I would have to say I’m the one who has helped my game the most; I work hard on my game. I played with Jason Kidd and after my first two seasons he left. Then I played with Steph [Marbury] who is more of a scoring guard. Now I’m playing with the MVP Steve Nash who is different again. I was an All-Star with Steph when he was in Phoenix and now I’m an All-Star with Steve. I adjust my game so I can play with anybody.

Who got you started playing basketball?

My family got me started. I was about 10 or 11 and my uncle’s got me into the game because they were playing the game. Basically everyone in my family played basketball when they were in high school. I guess I owe my family a lot, they are the ones who have helped me find something that I love doing.

How important has family been in your career?

Very important, they have been the most important part of my life. I have a very strong family base. Friends come and go, but family, they are there until the end. We spend as much time as possible together.

Who has the most influence over your actions?

My mum, my family, my uncles and my grandfather have all been great role models for me and taught me a lot about the person I need to be. They have always supported me and they installed a mindset in me where I knew I didn’t want to fail, so that’s why I continue to work hard. You grow from a strong base. But I hold myself accountable for everything I do.

What was it like growing up in Chicago?

It was interesting. I was lucky enough to have a lot of family support and a good base around me. I wasn’t worrying about what anybody else was doing. I would just work hard and try to make myself better.

You moved to Clarkson, Tennessee when you were in junior high. Did your game change?

It didn’t really change. Once I left Chicago for Tennessee I just picked up a few extra skills that I didn’t know. When you go down South and you’re from the city, it’s just a completely different atmosphere. In the South it’s more about balling and you talk a whole lot less smack. In a big city all they do is talk smack on the court. You learn a whole different mentality once you play in the South.

You went from Vincennes Junior College in Indiana (where you were a 2-time winner of the Allen J. Bradford NJCAA Region 12 MVP Award) to Division I at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Division (where you led the Rebels in scoring with 18.7 per game and rebounding with 9.3 per game). Why did you decide to play in Sin City?

The truth is, I really wanted to go to the University of North Carolina. That was my dream school, but it didn’t work out. I wanted to play for (legendary former coach) Dean Smith, but he retired the year I was graduating from junior college, so I looked at a couple of other schools and eventually decided on UNLV.

Why only one year there?

I never intended to go for only one year but it worked out that way. Once I had gone through the tryouts the coaches and everyone knew I already was an NBA talent. Once I was being scouted I knew I would go to the show.

Were you always been as athletic on the court?

I wasn’t always as tall as everybody else but I was always one of the most talented players. I’ve always tried to have an all-around game, even at a young age. The athleticism has always been there but it seemed like the older I got, the more athletic I got.

You had a good debut season in the NBA and you were named to the All-Rookie Second Team. Since then you’ve been a repeat All-Star. Is it important to you to keep being recognised in that way?

Yeah, I mean the main thing is I get rewarded for trying to do what I can to help the team. I bring what I can to the court. I’m always trying to expand my game and do what I can night in and night out to help the Suns win. There’s always room for improvement though. I definitely want to experience every level of this game and to do that there is only one thing you need to do – work hard. That is why I always continue to work on my game in the summer. I don’t want to be known as a player who could’ve been this or should’ve been that. I want to be known because I am a good player and with the team we have now I can just go to work doing what I do best on the floor.

Your guarding of Jordan in the double overtime periods of the 2003 All-Star game in Atlanta is the stuff of legend. Is that a favourite moment?

2003 was a lot of fun because I’ve always been a huge fan of Jordan’s, but 2005 was a magical year, when we went to the Western Conference finals, and this year has been fun with all the controversy and all the expectations that were thrown out the window by the media at the beginning of the season. I am loving every minute of this season, and we are having fun just playing ball.

Did you get the chance to hang with the other players at the All-Star weekend?

A little bit here and there. It’s tough when you participate in two events. The NBA also gets you to do stuff with the media and fans, so it can be hard to just relax with the other players.

What are your thoughts on the nickname – The Matrix – given to you by analyst and former player Kenny Smith?

Everybody’s running with it: If that’s what they want to call me, then I’m cool with it.

We know you wear 31 as homage to Reggie Miller. What was it about Reggie that struck a cord with you?

It was during summer league in high school. I was playing and shooting a lot of threes from the corners like Reggie and it has stuck with me since then. I guess I kind of just ran with it.

What do you usually do with your down time?

I love listening to music and just relaxing. People don’t realise how much we travel and sometimes we don’t get a chance to be a regular person with a regular life. That’s why I like to spend time with my family and friends, just relaxing.

Are you video game man or a poker man?

I play video games. I used to travel everywhere with my Play Station 2, but right now I’m into my PSP: I can just sit and play it whenever I want.

Do you ever play as yourself in 2K6 or Live?

All the time.

You are involved in charities and you visited US troops in Kuwait in 2003. How important is it to be seen as a positive role model?

I think it’s very big. At times the NBA gets so busy and you get overwhelmed just with what’s on the court; the larger picture can get out of focus, to an extent. When you get a chance you have to take the time to give back to the community. I didn’t see or meet any professional players until I got to the college level. I know I would’ve cherished the experience of meeting somebody from the NBA when I was younger, even if it was just the motivation of someone saying, ‘Hi, just keep working hard.’ So now I try and make myself available to motivate the young players of today.

How do you maintain your focus during the season when there are so many distractions and temptations?

You just need to keep calm and cool. Sometimes you need to just spend time by yourself sitting in a room. I’m focused when I have to be and I try to take it easy when I can.

Who do you admire most on and off the basketball court?

Currently in the league right now I’d have to say I’m a huge fan of Shaq. I like a lot of the stuff he does and I like the way he always gets out into the community. I like players who have great personalities that support their community.

You have been selected to the 24-man Team USA squad in preparation for the 2006’s World Championships in Tokyo. What does Team USA need to do to get back to its winning ways?

We have a great selection of players but we have to go there with the mentality of going to represent our country and not as individuals. We have to be determined to go out there and get it done.

You have been to Athens and to Australia. Did you imagine that basketball would allow you to see the world?

Not like that. It’s amazing how you can travel because of the game. I have been lucky in that I have been taken to places above and beyond anything I ever expected. It’s been great to see what I’ve seen.

Could you describe your playing style?

I go out there and play with passion and heart every night, and I leave it all on the floor. You can see it in my face sometimes, how emotional I am when I grab a board or throw down an oop. I play hard on both ends of the floor, I’m a team player, and you can bet I’m going out there to win.

Have you achieved everything you wanted in your career?

It isn’t quite how I wanted it to turn out, yet. I’m working hard to get mine.

What team do you fear most this year?

I look at like this – the teams we face, they must fear us. When it comes to the playoffs, I think you always have a chance. Anything can happen in the post-season.

Do you have a favourite personal highlight of your time in the NBA?

Nah, not yet, I’m coming off my third All-Star appearance, but that’s nothing. Highlights don’t begin to matter until you win a championship. I want to get my championship and that’ll be my favourite highlight.

Could you sum up your demeanour?

I’m laid back, but I’m a spirited person. I’m a guy you can have a good time with and I try to make the game fun and enjoyable for everyone. Shit, I’m cool. I’m a cool person to be around.

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