After leading the Rebels to their last NCAA tournament appearance in 1998, Marion was taken ninth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1999 NBA draft. Blessed with Jordan hops, Iverson quicks and Vince Carter fast-break fearlessness, he soon added rebounding, steals and blocks to his pro repertoire. (Marion, 28, balks at this; says he's always been Mr. Do It All: "I cater my game to fit my team.") Though Marion won't call the 2004-05 season his breakout year ("Coming into the league was my coming-out party"), it was just that: third-team All-NBA; first player since former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson (in 1992) to finish in the top five in rebounding and steals. He repeated the feat the next year. Ever since, he's been an All-Star and a fantasy-hoops god.
On the eve of Vegas' All-Star Weekend—the first time the NBA's held its midseason popularity contest in a non-NBA city—Marion is excited about returning. ("This place changes so much.") While in town, the eight-year veteran will visit family and friends, host a party, try to sneak in a spa treatment and, on Sunday, shoot hoops with some pretty good basketball players.
You still follow UNLV basketball?
Not as close as I did when I first got into the league. I still check them out when I can, but it was easier early in my career. I go could to games then. I actually went to some games early on when I wasn't making the All-Star team.
What are your fondest memories from your Rebel days?
Really just playing in Vegas. Being in Vegas was great. You always had stars and celebrities running through the games. You never knew who you were going to see. I liked the whole atmosphere of being there.
Under coach Jerry Tarkanian, UNLV won its only NCAA championship in 1990—wish you had chance to play back then?
Yes and no. I was recruited by Bill Bayno, so that's who I played for. I know coach Tark. I met him when he was coming toward the end of his career. I know he was the man out there. He definitely has a legacy. And until UNLV wins the next one [national championship], he'll be the best coach ever.
Here are some UNLV greats: Sidney Green, Greg Anthony, Larry Johnson, Stacy Augmon, J.R. Rider. Where do you rate among them?
You forgot Reggie Theus [12-year NBA career; one of five players in NBA history with more than 19,000 points and 6,000 assists]. I think I fit right in with all of them. None of them of have an NBA championship ring. I'm working on one. I don't know times many was Reggie Theus an all-star. [Twice.] How many times was Larry Johnson an all-star? [Twice.] This is my fourth all-star. I know I'm among the elite in UNLV history.
Hoops analysts Kenny Smith nicknamed you "the Matrix" because of your gravity-defying hops. Is there another movie character/superhero that better describes your game?
I like "the Matrix." It says it all. I think it's a perfect nickname because I do everything.
At UNLV, you were a high-flyer, a slashing wing-player and someone opposing players didn't want to see coming at them on a fast break. Now in the NBA, you're hitting threes. Where'd the outside shot come from?
I always had a good overall game. In college, I used to post up occasionally, but Kaspars Kambala was our post-up man at UNLV. Even in junior college, I used to post up a lot. I actually played [all five positions] in junior college. I cater my game to players around me. Whatever I'm asked to do, I do. When I got to UNLV, I was mostly on the wing. I used my athleticism but I also kept working on my outside shot.
That shot. Let's rap about it. It looks like a two-handed shot put. A shot and a prayer. I'm sure you get comments on it.
It doesn't bother me. Nobody shoots the same. Who's to say my shot is awkward? It's kind of funny to me and I laugh it off. But people take me seriously on the court and that's what matters.
The 2004-05 season was big for you—top five in rebounding and steals. You say that wasn't a signature year?
You can only do what you get an opportunity to do. I'm trying to help my team the best way I can. They used to compare me to Scottie Pippen because of all he did. But I'm me. Don't compare me to nobody; I'm Shawn.
Why haven't you competed in the dunk contest?
It's not me. I do my dunking during the game. And now I'm too old. I probably would've done it in my first year, but I'd just come back from knee surgery and didn't want to do anything to aggravate the injury. Also at the time, in my first couple of years, Vince [Carter] was sick with it. He's half-man, half-amazing, like they say, and he was doing stuff I couldn't do or didn't want to try to do. Some of those dunks are dangerous.
Aside from yourself, who would you pay to see play in the NBA and in other pro sports?
In the NBA: LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, D. Wade, Steve Nash, all the superstars in the league. I'm a big boxing fan, so all the big fights. In baseball, I'm a Cubs fan. Football: Bears fan. I've been to three football games. I like to travel to see the different stadiums.
So if you weren't Shawn Marion, how would you defend Shawn Marion?
It depends on if I'm getting the rock and how I'm getting it. I would try to keep me off the boards. I wouldn't let me get the ball or take off on fast breaks.
One on one in a game to 11, who wins, you or Kobe Bryant?
I'm going to win.
Same scenario, you against LeBron James?
I'm going to win. Ain't nobody beating me.
Last one: You vs. Hall of Fame Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen?
I'm going to win. I think I'm going to win.
Back to pro hoops: The All-Star Game has Las Vegas abuzz and Mayor Oscar Goodman wants an NBA team. Can Vegas support one? Can we fill an arena 41 times a year?
I think it's possible because Vegas loves basketball, especially if it's a winning team. I think it'd be crazy to have a team here. They'd have to build a stadium and I guess the only place they could build one [close your ears, Oscar] is on the outskirts. I'm pretty sure the team would be supported, and I'm pretty sure [casino mogul] Steve Wynn would be supportive. [Wynn hosted tryouts for America's world championships/Olympics qualifying team last summer.]
What busies Shawn Marion off the court? Many pro athletes have foundations or businesses.
You name it. I'm trying to put together a poker tournament for charity. I donated $1 million from my contract to the United Way. Last year, I donated money to Hurricane Katrina relief. I figure out who I'm going to give my money to every year and do it. [When I retire] I might coach somewhere. I don't know if I want to coach in the league. I might coach in high school somewhere. I might start some businesses. I might sit back and travel the world.
How often do you come back to Vegas?
I try to come often. My mother still lives there and I enjoy the spas. Every time I come back it's a real good feeling. I see a lot of my classmates working in some of the clubs and the hotels. It's crazy because I've seen how the place has changed since I was there only a few years ago; all the new hotels going up and the clubs opening up.
Speaking up clubs, what's up with your party tonight at VooDoo Lounge?
It's my first time doing a party during All-Star. It's my homecoming, kind of. I'm the only UNLV cat doing something in the league right now. Stacy's retired and Marcus [Banks] is on the Suns with me.
Ever rap with old Rebels like Greg Anthony and others?
I talk with Greg Anthony all the time. He's going to come through my party and I'm going to come through his party.
Is this Phoenix's year to win the NBA championship?
I don't know. I can't judge if this is the best Phoenix team I've played on. We had a 60-win season two years ago, and when we went down in the playoffs, it hurt us. It seems like every year someone gets hurt in the playoffs. This year, hopefully we can stay healthy. We'll see what happens.