The often-ridiculed Phoenix Suns made a major announcement this month. The franchise will retire the #31 and #32 jerseys during the 2023-24 NBA season. Sending up the jerseys of veteran players to the Ring of Fire is a major honor, as it’s only given to players who made an impact on the team and the fandom as a whole. One of the stars in the current Suns roster, Devin Booker, was one of the fans ecstatic by the announcement.

However, the overall reception was mixed. Fans debated if the two players in question had any significant contribution to the team that has not won any championship. Nonetheless, the 45-year-old is ignoring the negativity and expressing his gratitude for the honor.

The Matrix humbled by the Phoenix Suns honor

The Phoenix Suns selected Shawn Marion in the 1999 NBA draft and he remained with the franchise till 2008. Nicknamed The Matrix, he’d be named to the All-Star team four times during his time with the franchise. Despite his versatility and skill to play any position, he wasn’t able to push the Suns to an NBA Finals. But his impact on the community is not to be scoffed at.

The Suns announced that they will retire Marion’s #31 jersey along with Amar’e Stoudemire’s #32 during the next NBA season. Some Suns fans didn’t take the news positively. Nonetheless, Marion would go on the record at SiriusXM NBA Radio to reveal what an honor it is for him.

“Fans have always known. That’s why I’ve always respected that.” He’d go on to say, “Like they say, timing is everything. Sometimes I guess you gotta go through… this learning curve.”

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“Sometimes we all get these things wrong, you know what I’m saying. There ain’t nobody going through life and doing everything perfectly,” he said. “Even as players, we play and compete against each other. Some nights we’re better than other nights.” 

After leaving the Suns, Marion briefly signed with the Toronto Raptors and later with the Dallas Mavericks. He’d win his first championship title with the Mavs. He had an illustrious career even if he didn’t win a title for the Suns.

Marion is not letting the negativity get to him and remaining humble. “It’s a blessing. I’m truly blessed to be going into the rafters with the rest of the Suns family.” While debates will rage on, the Suns’ decision got the seal of approval from franchise cornerstone, Devin Booker.

3x NBA All-Star celebrates the decision

As a key player who led the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals, Devin Booker is a bona fide star for the franchise. And he’s testimony that ‘The Matrix’ had an impact on young players of the franchise.

Booker hailed Marion and Stoudemire as two of the best players in franchise history and claimed they’re well-deserving of the honor. He’s the biggest hope for a win in the next season along with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, which makes his public show of approval a big deal.

The decision to retire the former players’ jerseys comes after a change in team leadership. Amid these drastic changes, fans think the last thing they should be focusing on is two retired players. What are your thoughts on the honor given to Marion and Stoudemire?

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