By Bryan Gutierrez, Mavs.com
Where is the love for Shawn Marion and his defense?

DALLAS — As he in the midst of his 13th year in his NBA career, Shawn Marion has never made an NBA All-Defensive Team. Whether people are not acknowledging that he has been a defensive weapon going back to his days with the Phoenix Suns, Marion has not gotten the credit that he deserves. History shows that the forward will go down as one of the most underrated and unique defenders the league has ever seen. On April 13, 2011, Marion became only the fifth player in league history to compile 1,500 steals and 1,000 blocks. He joined Hameek Olajuwon, Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett and Julius Erving in the special club.

Despite that, Marion has not received any credit for what he’s done with the Mavericks. The franchise has not been known as one that thrives on defense, especially taking into account the defensive accolades that have been rewarded to players that have played for the organization. Last season, Tyson Chandler was name All-Defensive Second Team. It was the first time that Chandler had been named to the All-Defensive team. That marked only the third time the Dallas Mavericks had a player that had earned All-Defensive honors. You have to go back to the 1986-87 and 1989-90 season to find former Maverick guard Derek Harper being named All-Defensive Second Team.

Without taking the offensive end of the floor into account, Marion was easily one of the biggest contributors for the Mavericks during the championship run last season. Marion thrived in moments with his offense, but he had to defend Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James during the 2011 Playoffs. He made things difficult for each and every one of those scoring machines. “The Matrix” has reloaded in 2012 as he has had multiple challenges thrown his way, answering the call every time.

The Mavericks had a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 16. Shawn Marion had the challenge of guarding Kobe Bryant. Guarding Bryant is always an issue, but the swingman was on a major hot streak entering the game against the Mavericks. Bryant had four straight games with 40-plus point scoring performances. In the four games leading up to the game on Jan. 16, Bryant was averaging 43.0 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting (61-of-121) from the field. The Mavericks went on to suffer a tough 73-70 loss in Los Angeles, but Marion did everything he could to help the team get the victory. Marion handled the challenge as he held Bryant to only 14 points on 31.8 percent shooting (7-of-22) from the field.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban took to Twitter (@mcuban) shortly after the game to stand up for the defensive-minded forward:

Tough loss. Will someone tell me why @matrix31 is not perennial all NBA defense 1^st team? He doesn’t get the respect he has earned.

While different members of the squad have stepped up over the first half of the season, a case can be made that Marion, with his defensive tenacity, has been the most consistent Maverick for the year. In a season where injuries have been an issue, Marion hasn’t missed a game. “He’s been very consistent,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “His versatility in terms of our matchups, what’s needed, it gives us a dimension that not a lot of teams have.” Mark Cuban is willing to suggest that Marion is one of the best defenders the league has. “It’s not a question if he’s first team,” Cuban said prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday evening. “The only question is, outside of the center position like a Dwight Howard, is he Defensive Player of the Year? I mean, it’s hard to overlook how Dwight Howard plays defensively, but beyond that, who’s better?

“Name one.”

The list is going to be an awfully short one, but the fact that Marion’s versatility can be shown on a nightly basis has to set him apart from the rest. Over the last set of games, Marion has had to go up against point guards (Ricky Rubio, Chris Paul, Ty Lawson) and has gone against a power forward (LaMarcus Aldrdidge). Players of that caliber are impossible to shut down, but Marion did everything he could to make those players work for whatever they got.

When it comes down to the fourth quarter, crunch time, Marion delivers. In fourth quarters leading up to the game on Feb. 13 against the Los Angeles Clippers, Marion had held his counterparts to a 10.75 PER (league average is 15) on 33.33 percent shooting, which ranked him ninth in opponents PER. He also ranked eighth in opponents shooting percentage among small forwards that at least played 100 minutes in fourth quarters this season (41 players).

When it comes to defense, Marion does a solid job of using his frame and footwork to keep the opposition in front of him. Leading into the game against the Clippers, he had forced the sixth longest average shot distance for shots inside the three-point line at 11.51 feet. Marion has held his assignment to 12.99 points per 100 possessions, which is the third lowest on this list. The forward holds his opponent to 6.50 Points per 100 off free throws and in the painted area, also ranking him third among the mentioned list of 41 players.

Adding all of those numbers up establish him as talented defender. If you take into account his lack of fouling, Marion truly becomes an elite defender. He had 2.60 fouls per 100 possessions, ranking fourth on the list of 41. To this point of the season, he has not allowed and and-one opportunity.

However you look at it, Marion is in a groove. “It feels good,” Marion said on his performance on the defensive end of the floor. “I’m doing what I can to help my team win games.” The game of basketball is built on your skill-set and your confidence level. Once you’re in a groove, things just come naturally. What comes naturally for him is doing things that don’t always appear on the box score. Based on his impact on the game, it’s becoming difficult for people to not take notice of what he’s doing on the floor. “I’m just playing my game,” Marion said. “I’m just doing what I do every game. Y’all are just not paying attention to me. I pride myself on being the best basketball player I can. Not position wise, but as a whole player. I do it all, and I pride myself with playing with my teammates.”

Looking specifically at the unique matchup Marion had against Chris Paul, arguably the best point guard in the entire league, Marion held up extremely well. Paul averaged a PER of 28.38, assisted on 42.86 percent of the Clippers field goals on a 2.50 assist-to-turnover ratio without Marion. He was held to a 22.15 PER, assisted on 35.29 percent of his team’s field goals on a 1.50 assist-to-turnover ratio when Marion defended him. Paul scored 42.00 Points per 100 possessions and 30.00 in the paint and off free throws without Marion guarding him. The numbers changed to 19.27 and 6.42, respectively, with Marion defending him.

Cuban took to twitter again after the game with the Clippers, continuing to help back up Marion’s case as an elite defender:

Great job @matrix31 guarding CP3 and 2 other positions all night. #AllNBADEFENSE

Dirk Nowitzki is used to seeing what Marion can do as Nowitzki had to try to work around Marion when he was still a member of the Suns. Nowitzki leaves nothing to doubt when it comes to where Marion stands with his defense. “He’s our best defender. We stick him on 1, 2, 3, 4,” Nowitzki said. “He’s been phenomenal for us every since he got here. He’s still fast on his feet, he’s long, he’s strong, he’s got great, great hands on the ball. We stick him usually on the best player and he’s done a phenomenal job.”

Marion’s flexibility allows the Mavericks to keep guards such as Jason Kidd and Vince Carter out on the floor. His ability to handle multiple challenges allows those players to stay on the court and handle different defensive responsibilities to preserve themselves for the offensive end of the floor. It’s huge to have that luxury to reduce the wear and tear on Carter and Kidd. When Carlisle was asked which players had the kind of versatility to defend point guards up to power forwards, he had a very simple answer. “Marion is the only guy who comes to mind,” Carlisle said. “This is one of the unique weapons we have on our team.”

Another advantage of sticking Marion on a quicker guard is that it takes away the pick and roll as a weapon for the opposition. The Mavericks can easily switch Marion off with the pick and roll, negating any kind of advantage the opposition could have. Another situation with Marion guarding smaller defenders is that he is able to get his on offense. The defense has been rolling for the Mavericks, allowing them to play in their flow offense. Marion runs right down the floor, now with a smaller guard having to defend him on due to the mismatch. “We recognize mismatches. We’re definitely starting to exploit on that,” Marion said. He’s a defensive-minded player, but he’s definitely open to the idea of taking advantage of those mismatches on offense. “I’ve got no choice,” Marion said with a laugh. “I like to score, too.”

Regardless of how things are going on the offensive end of the floor, Marion does what is necessary to keep things in check when it comes to defense. The challenge to go out and stop the best offensive threat on the opposing team is a challenge Marion wants and it’s one the Mavericks have given to him. “I’m a competitor,” Marion said. “I’m built a different way. I have this inner dog in me that I feel like a lot of people don’t have. I’m just going to bring it like that. That’s how I come.”

“Marion has been a great defensive player his whole career,” Carlisle said. “For whatever reason, he hasn’t gotten the notoriety a lot of guys get. At this point in his career, I don’t think he’s looking for notoriety. I think he’s trying to win. To me, that’s the biggest defining thing of the kind of player we want here.” The team’s goal is to do whatever is needed to try to keep teams at bay defensively. Shawn Marion has done his part, and has done it for a long time, yet he hasn’t gotten the respect or the accolades that he truly deserves.

Janosch Ferda contributed to this report.

Stay connected with Dallas Mavericks reporter Bryan Gutierrez by following him on Twitter.

Note: The Mavs return to the American Airlines Center next Monday night when they host the Boston Celtics. Dallas leads the season series 1-0 after a 90-85 win in Boston on Jan. 11. That game will air nationally on TNT at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.

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