He is still a very good defender, defending many positions, solid rebounder, and per 36 minutes his stats this year are above 13/10, with shooting 49,5%. He will make the Top-20 of all-time leaders in steals soon.

So absolutely no reason to talk trash about him. If he doesn’t need more money, after 14 years he can do what he wants to do.

Marion is in his 14th season. In that time, he’s played on great teams and lousy teams. He’s made his money, and doesn’t appear to be one of those knuckleheads who “make it rain” every night in the strip clubs, only to find themselves flat broke by their mid-20s.

At best, Marion can probably play at an NBA level for only a couple more years. Most bad teams are (or should be) in some type of youth movement, and those teams aren’t about to give a 34 year old minutes at the expense of developing their younger players. But on a contender, he can still be a 6th or 7th man, as an aggressive defender and rebounder.

That’s why he put this out to the media, and I hope he does finish out with a chance for another ring.