Dallas Mavericks: Ranking the top-10 players of the decade

8. Shawn Marion

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle called Shawn Marion ” An absolute X-factor for us in the playoffs.”  During the Mavericks championship run of 2011. Shawn “The Matrix” Marion was an extremely underrated all around player.

The Matrix, In December 2014, became the first player in NBA history with 15,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 1,000 blocks and 500 3-pointers. A stat-line made more impressive when you take Marion only being 6’7″ into consideration. Shawn Marion may not have been great at one aspect of the game, but he was very good at all aspects of the game.

The Matrix nickname fit Marion who would always seem to be in the right spot. The Matrix never averaged more than 12 points per game as a Dallas Maverick, in a back-up role to starter Caron Butler. Marion would affect the game in ways that don’t show up in a box score. The Matrix was a real team guy that excepted a bench role after being a starter his entire career.

Despite not starting to begin the season. After Caron Butler went down with a season ending injury. Marion would start at small forward during the Mavericks historic 2011 playoff run. Marion averaged 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the finals against LeBron James, and the Miami Heat.   The Matrix stayed ready and did whatever it took to bring Dallas a championship.