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Marion may not be in step with Mavs' running game

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Charley Rosen

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 17 sports books, the current ones being Bullpen Diaries: Mariano Rivera, Bronx Dreams, Pinstripe Legends, and the Future of the New York Yankees and Crazy Basketball: A Life In and Out of Bounds.

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Updated Jul 14, 2009 8:16 PM ET
     
 
Here's the lowdown on the most significant of the latest batch of player movements:

Shawn Marion to the Mavs

PROS: He's still an extraordinary athlete who can run the floor and cover lots of ground on defense. Marion is more comfortable and effective guarding small forwards, but he can also match up against some smallish power forwards. A dunk-o-maniac as well as a long distance bomber, Marion is an explosive scorer. He also comes equipped with a neat crossover going either way, but prefers driving either left or baseline. He will corral his share of jumping-jack rebounds.
CONS: Marion has played over 3,000 minutes six times in his career, too many of those minutes against bigger, stronger power forwards. As a result, his 31-year-old body is beginning to wear down and he lacks the super-duper quickness he once had. That's why, in man-to-man defense, Marion has taken to reaching and haunting passing lanes more than he used to. Moreover, passing, consistently creating his own scoring opportunities, and operating efficiently in half-court sets, have always been his weaknesses. But if Marion's skills show to best effect in a running game, then Dallas is not the best venue for him. PROGNOSIS: Jason Kidd is still a marvelous passer and floor general but, with his advanced age (36 is old for a point guard) and his speed diminished by his radical knee surgery, J-Kidd can no longer get to the basket with any degree of regularity. And if Kidd can no longer orchestrate a top-notch running game, neither Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Matt Carroll, Greg Buckner nor Erick Dampier are capable of playing get-out-and-go basketball. As such, the Mavs will have trouble developing an identity. However, even though the Mavs are Marion's fourth team in two years, he should play with much more intensity than he has exhibited ever since leaving Phoenix. Look for him to have one high-quality performance every three games.

Antonio McDyess to the Spurs

PROS: McDyess can rebound, knock down mid-range jumpers with regularity, and drill turnaround jumpers in the low post — particularly in clutch situations. He's also a physical, if not especially quick, defender. McDyess should be most effective when Tim Duncan assumes a position in the low post. A savvy veteran, McDyess rarely takes bad shots and will readily fit into the Spurs' disciplined game plan. CONS: As his 35th birthday rapidly approaches, his durability is increasingly an issue. He played 30 minutes per game for the Pistons last season, but showed signs of wear and tear late in the season. Look for him to be on court for about 25 minutes per and therefore have fresher body parts for the duration. PROGNOSIS: Coach Pop will certainly get the most out of McDyess' still vital but declining skills. However, at a "mere" 6-9, 245 pounds, McDyess is not the space-eating big man that San Antonio still needs.

Dahntay Jones to the Pacers

PROS: A ferocious defender, Jones has the quickness, strength and willpower to antagonize and lock down both shooting guards and small forwards. He can run with any player his size (6-6, 210), and rattle the rim with powerhouse dunks. When his feet are set, Jones can also drop an occasional trey. CONS: Can't pass and is virtually useless in half-court sets. Also, his defense can be overly aggressive, a tendency that constantly saddles him with early foul trouble. PROGNOSIS: Jones joins Jeff Foster as the only defensive-minded players on his new team. NOTE: More than he helps Indiana, Jones' departure harms Denver. With Linas Kleiza also apparently headed out of town, the Nuggets will be forced to start J. R. Smith — who certainly distinguished himself at both ends of the court in the playoffs against the Lakers. But this realignment leaves Denver without a proven scorer off the bench. So Jones' decision to sign with Indiana means that the Nuggets roster-of-the-moment is in drastic need of enhancement. But that's no longer a concern of Jones.
Tagged: Matt Carroll, Erick Dampier, Dirk Nowitzki, Grizzlies, Jason Kidd, Mavericks, Nuggets, Spurs, Pistons, Jason Terry, Tim Duncan, Pacers, Linas Kleiza, Jeff Foster

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