KingsMan7

For some reason, it has become all the rage to wildly overrate Marion while wildly disrespect Peja when general users are rating Sf's. Whenever somebody makes a 'top 5' list, you will usually see Marion at around 3 and you'd be hard pressed to see Peja on any top 5's whatsoever. How quickly that change has come...

But people are fickle, after the 2001 playoffs round 1 Kings vrs Suns, when Peja summarily busted Marions a$$, people were all for acknowledging that Peja was the better SF. Marion outplayed Peja in Game 1 of that series in what was both their breakout season's and first playoff tastes, but in game 2, 3, and 4, Peja scored 20+ while Marion scored no more than 14, including a series clinching 37/6 to Marion's 14/8 in Game 4.

It wasn't really until Peja's injured playoff stint this year when the disrespect came...

2001-2002 head to head

Game 1 114-88 Suns
Peja 29 2-8 0-1 2-2 0 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 6
Shawn38 10-20 0-0 1-2 6 7 13 2 1 3 1 2 21
Game 2 133-101 Kings
Peja 40 11-23 3-7 1-2 2 6 8 3 0 0 0 0 26
Shawn32 7-17 1-1 5-5 2 3 5 3 2 3 2 0 20
Game 3 118-112 Kings
Peja 40 10-16 3-5 2-2 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 0 25
Shawn43 6-19 0-0 2-5 4 4 8 4 4 0 2 1 14
Game 4 103-100 Kings
Peja 46 7-20 1-3 10-12 2 6 8 5 0 2 1 0 25
Shawn45 9-20 0-1 0-0 1 5 6 4 4 2 0 0 18

So as we can see, in every game except for game 1 when the entire team didn't show up and Peja had his 2nd worst outing of the year, most people would rather have Peja in that equation.

Shawn is the best rebounding SF in the game and a better rebounder than Peja, for that he should be given a lot of credit for.

Defensively, they are around the same. The stereotype that Peja doesn't play defense is one of the biggest myths currently floating around the fans of the association, he is a good defender (if you want to argue that, bring it, we will compare box scores). Marion is a lot quicker on the perimiter, while Peja is stronger.

Their offenses however, are not close. Marion is strictly a mid-range jumpshooter and open-court player without handles or any sense of individual offensive game. Whereas Peja could be 'the man', if he was ever on a team where he was the number 1 option. The only reason he averages only a shade over 21 to Marions shade over 19 is because he has the best teammates in the league offensively, if he were on that Suns team instead of Marion he would have averaged anywhere from 23 to 26 ppg a game last year (just as he averaged 23.7 a game without C-Webb this year).

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thrice911

I agree that Peja is underated and should be considered a better Sf because he has accomplished more so far in his career then Marion, but you are basing a lot of your argument on a single series of games. If you compared their complete season stats from the past season I think an argument could be made that Marion had the better year.

SikHandlez24

Another argument could be made that he favors Peja over Marion because he is a Kings fan.

Crossword

Marion DOES have a 3-point shot. It has been improving, and he can dunk waaay better than Peja. He's also, like you said, a much better rebounder. I'd personally take Marion over Peja right now because he's developed a much better shot, and it's only going to get better. However, I still agree that right now, and probably longer as Peja will also improve, Peja is the better offensive player. I'd still take Marion over him though, he's more of a complete package.

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thrice911

Yes, I also noticed that this season Marion had developed a consistent jumper and that he now has 3 point range on his shot(at least he appeared to in all of the games I saw him play in). I would also rather have Marion on my team than Peja because he is a very quick defender that can block shots and get steals, is a tremendous rebounder, and is a consistent scorer who still has the potential to become better on the offensive end. I agree that he is more of a complete package than Peja.

Wilt_The_Stilt

I agree-Peja is underrated....but I would still take Marion

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HEATLUNATIC

The Matrix is AWESOME,but Peja is even BETTER!If Peja would have been 100% in the WCF,the Kings would have one a CHAMPIONSHIP!

The Matrix = Great rebounder for his size,and AWESOME dunker!

Peja = VERY solid all-around baller,not to mention the BEST 3pt shooter in the league!

azcats

I like Peja and Marion (my 2 favorite teams) and I watch a lot of each and I would have to take Marion it seemed at the end of the year he was automatic from 15 feet in and imprving on 3's he is now in my mind a good 3-point shooter. Also he has more upside is more athletic and is funner to watch. Now why would you take peja again?

PhatDaddy3100

IMO Besides on this board, Marion is underrated also by non super fans like us. More people know more about Peja than they do Marion. On this board, more people know about Marion and his awesome skills. Your right Peja is a good SF, but I would take KG, T-Mac, Vince, Marion over him any day. Peja has a better offensive game, but Marion has a better defensive game and is very consistent on the offensive end. He averaged like 20 ppg and 10 rebounds a game. So, I say its marion over peja.

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tenkev

Don't forget that Peja's offensive stats were very much helped by the wide open style that the Kings play. Marion is a much more complete player than Peja. The only thing Peja can do better is shoot.

bebop

Marion is an excellent role player. Peja is a franchise player.

Keep in mind Peja is still trying to find his role within the Kings' offense. When Peja was the #1 offensive option, he killed the opponents. He played his best ball when C-Web was out. He didn't just carried the Kings, he carried them to the best record in the NBA. That's text book definition of a franchise player.

The Matrix is a good supporting player who put up impressive numbers. But you don't build your team around him. You can build your team arond a big-time scorer like Peja, like the Pacers did with Reggie Miller.

And don't judge strictly on numbers. Cuz some fool will compare Kobe to the Marix and say,

"Wow, Marion has more rebounds, more steals, more block shots, less TO, and shoots higher 3-pt % than Kobe. Marion is better than Kobe!!!"

Would Shaq prefer Matrix to Kobe? Would C-Web rather pass the rock to Marion or Peja?

Peja is not perfect, nor has he reached his full potential. Right now, he seems too content on being just a scorer when he can be much, mcuh more. But Peja outplayed Marion when they met in the playoffs, that wasn't an accident.

Solrac

I like them both. Peja has that unlimited range and can take a lot of small forwards off the dribble. Now Marion can do a little of everything (rebound,defend, and has developed a nice shot). When was the last time a small forward almost averaged a double double. If I had to choose one.........I couldn't pick though. But, I really like the fact that Marion can defend and rebound...........You also have to remember that they are different players, Peja shoots jumpers 80% of the time...........Marion is getting tip ins, shooting the occasional jumper when open....... the rest of the time he is crashing the boards and playing tough d (straight up and weak side)........Plus, look at the ball hoggin' *** stubborn pg he has to play with.

Rac

Jonathan Watters

One nice thing about Marion is the quick release on his shot. He might not be one of the league's best long-range shooters, but from 15 feet he is automatic. And he can get it off virtually whenever he wants. I saw him la couple of years ago against the Wolves, when he had something like 38 points. He was on fire, and absolutely unstoppable with his mid-range game. Just a taste of the future from Marion, who I think will turn out to be the best player from the class of '99.

Crossword

KingsMan, I've noticed in another thread that you have a HUMONGOUS bias for Peja. HUGE.

Peja may be under-rated, but so is Marion. BIG TIME. When does Shawn Marion ever get talked about? His stats go virtually un-noticed, while everyone in the league LOVES Peja. Don't deny it, and stop thinking everyone's against Peja, cause they're not. Deal with it, and Shawn Marion is STILL better.

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tenkev

There is no denying that Peja is an excellent, excellent shooter and overall offensive player, but how can you make this statement. Why does everyone always think scoring is the most important thing. Everyone needs to get this straight. DEFENSE wins championships. Look at the Lakers, they excell at defense, hence three straight titles. Who won before them? The Spurs. Obviously a very defensively orientated team. Before the Spurs we had the Bulls. The Bulls probably had the best perimeter defense of any team, ever. Defense wins championships, and Marion is an excellent defender, excellent rebounder, and good scorer. Peja is an average defender, average rebounder, and excellent scorer. I'll take Matrix any day of the week.