The Suns will induct Shawn Marion and Amar’e Stoudemire into their Ring of Honor this season, the team announced in a press release.
Details of the ceremonies will be worked out once the NBA’s schedule is finalized, but a separate celebration is planned for each player, according to the release. As part of the honor, Marion’s No. 31 and Stoudemire’s No. 32 will join the franchise’s list of retired numbers.
“Shawn and Amar’e are two of the very best to ever wear a Phoenix Suns uniform,” owner Mat Ishbia said. “Shawn changed the game with his elite versatility and Amar’e was one of the most electrifying players the league has ever seen. Shawn and Amar’e helped define the Suns and inspired generations of fans, and our Suns family is incomplete without them in the Ring of Honor. As we embark on the new era of Suns basketball, it is a priority that we remain connected to our storied history. We are excited to celebrate Shawn and Amar’e and properly recognize their incredible contributions and achievements.”
Marion played in Phoenix from 1999-2008, earning All-NBA honors twice and making four All-Star appearances. He averaged 18.4 PPG in 660 regular season games with the Suns and ranks fifth in franchise history in career points, second in both rebounds and steals and third in blocks. He’s also Phoenix’s all-time playoff leader with 706 rebounds.
“This is amazing to be recognized by the Suns family in this way,” Marion said. “The fans in Phoenix are one of a kind and this city will always be a part of me. My time with the Suns was special and I am looking forward to being inducted into the Ring of Honor.”
Stoudemire was named Rookie of the Year in 2003 and averaged 21.4 PPG in 516 games during his eight seasons with the Suns. A four-time All-NBA selection and five-time All-Star in Phoenix, he’s seventh in franchise history in career points, third in rebounds and fifth in blocks.
“I bleed purple and orange, making this a tremendous honor to be inducted,” Stoudemire said. “My best and most transformative years came in Phoenix with the Suns. I have so much love for Suns fans and appreciation for the love they have always shown me. I am excited to reconnect with the fanbase in joining the Ring of Honor.”
Amare sodomizer
Haha
Stoudemire was good, but he wasn’t as much a Sun as Marion. He left in FA to go the NY, then even chose to sign a one day contract to officially retire as a Knick. Let them put him in their Ring.
Good point
Two former Miami Heat legends lol
I totally forgot Stoudemire played for the Heat lol
They never won anything, why are their numbers being retired?
Everyone gets a trophy. It’s the mantra of the current generation.
Olds have been saying this for how many decades and generations now? As if franchises didn’t retire numbers for lesser players in the 70s.
Weren’t boomers the one’s giving out the participation trophies? I don’t recall other 8 years olds on my youth soccer team going out to buy the trophies, it was boomer parents who couldn’t handle the thought that their kids would feel left out.
That’s soccer for you
Just because you didn’t get a ring or awards, why shouldn’t you be honored by a team that you made a large impact on?
Because it cheapens the honor. So if Booker wins 4 rings, and has 3 MVPs and other awards he will be compared to Shawn Marion.
I know, teams without a history (not the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Spurs, Warriors, Heat, etc.) have to kind of fabricate these honors, it still lowers the honor to put a number in the rafters.
It really makes no difference. I am sure the people of Phoenix will have a good time and celebrate these players.
Using that logic each team should only retire one number. The Lakers have Jamaal Wilkes and Kareem’s numbers retired, no one thinks they are equivalent players.
Both guys made multiple all-star appearances during what was arguably the best period of the franchise’s history? It’s hardly a stretch for their numbers to be retired.
@CF – so does that mean that any teammate of Booker, who is there for let’s say 3 of the championships (if not all 4) should get their number retired too? Or is it only for the most individual awards, as well as championships?
Maybe we should take it even further, and strike any players that didn’t win a title (or 3, or 6) from the top 75 of all time. I mean, it cheapens the honor of Jordan and Pippen when hacks like Malone and Charles Barkley are considered among the greatest of all time.
Let’s see if they win one first
By this “logic”, players shouldn’t go into the HOF without rings. Is that what your believe Beyond bad take. The league HOF is much more exclusive and stringent than any team’s ROH. If teams want to honor players they deem transformative for their franchises, that’s their right. So many sensitive whiners in these comments.
4x allstar
NBA champ 2011
He learned to play in Phoenix.
They should be proud.
It’s certainly prime off-season for these boards
Those mid-2000s Suns teams were great and probably would have won a championship if not for some bad breaks.
Deserved
Was a big Matrix fan in his day. Was on a flight with him once and spoke with him briefly. Nice guy!
People bragging up guys like p.j. Tucker now for being such hard nosed defenders, guarding almost anyone. Marion did it too, and still managed to offer something besides a random, wide open corner 3 twice a game.
Sarver did plenty to drive these guys out and keep them out after they had done so much to electrify the Valley. My formative years of basketball fandom was filled with memories of viscous Amare dunks and Marion blocks. They deserve the Ring of Honor to the fullest.
Marion was a great rebounder for a 6’8 guy.
So bizarre that people get upset about this.
I’m assuming Nash is already in ROH with number retired?