One of this year’s Suns’ Ring of Honor inductees, Shawn Marion, said that Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton do not belong in the team’s Ring of Honor in an interview posted by AZ Central’s Dana Scott.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Shawn Marion, one of the #Suns’ 2023 Ring of Honor inductees, said that he personally feels Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul don’t belong in the Ring of Honor. pic.twitter.com/QiqpVGR870
— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) September 29, 2023
Marion first pointed out that it’s not up to him, but he gave his thoughts on if it were his decision.
“People in the Ring of Honor, look at their spreadsheets,” Marion said. “Most of them had long tenures here, are top 10-15 in categories in Suns’ history. I don’t think they fill no stats on any of those. I don’t think they qualify.”
Paul helped the Suns reach new heights in his three seasons in the Valley. He was a big part of changing their future landscape to become a destination spot for players to want to come.
Paul averaged 15.1 points and 9.5 assists in 194 regular season games started. The Suns reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993 in Paul’s very first season in the Valley (2020-21). Paul is tied for second in assists per game in Suns’ history. He was traded for Bradley Beal earlier this offseason.
Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers two days ago. He was the Suns’ first ever No. 1 overall pick in 2018 and had an overall up and down career in Phoenix.Â
Throughout his entire Suns’ career, Ayton played in 303 regular season games and averaged 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Ayton is No. 8 all-time in Suns’ total rebounds (3,152) and third in rebounds per game. He is also third in field goal percentage (59.7%).
Marion added that Devin Booker deserves to be in the Ring of Honor.
“(Booker’s) longer tenured than anybody, I would think he’s probably going to end up being the No. 1 scorer in Phoenix Suns’ history before it’s all said and done,” Marion said.
The two will join 15 members in the Ring of Honor:
- Alvan Adams
- Charles Barkley
- Tom Chambers
- Jerry Colangelo
- Walter Davis
- Cotton Fitzsimmons
- Connie Hawkins
- Kevin Johnson
- John MacLeod
- Dan Majerle
- Al McCoy
- Steve Nash
- Joe Proski
- Dick Van Arsdale
- Paul Westphal
Shawn Marion on Getting the Call About His Ring Of Honor Induction: “What Was the Hold Up”
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
