• See how Marion stacks up

Shawn Marion, who never felt that the level of recognition he received was on par with the amount of perspiration he gave the Suns, might find out tonight just how appreciated he was over 8 1/2 seasons with the team as the uniquely gifted Matrix.

Marion, who tonight returns to US Airways Center for the first time since the Suns traded him and Marcus Banks on Feb. 6 to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O'Neal, statistically was perhaps the most productive player in franchise history after Alvan Adams.  

Marion is second in Suns history to Adams in minutes played, rebounds and steals and fourth to Walter Davis, Kevin Johnson and Adams in points.

Marion's exit came four months after he requested to a trade, which followed another summer of trade rumors involving him and the Suns' lack of interest to extend his contract, which is up after this season. He is making $17.2 million this season.

The frosty parting with the Suns doesn't overshadow a run that earned Marion a maximum-level contract, four All-Star selections and good favor as a teammate and community figure.

Marion is expected to play tonight but has been away from the Heat because of his great uncle's death. Before departing, he told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that he left Phoenix on good terms.

"I love the fans in Phoenix and had a great 8 1/2 years there," Marion said. "I was as sad to go just as much as they were sad to see me go. It is what is. It's a business."

Nationally, the intrigue will be more about O'Neal facing his former Miami team, which had a nasty parting with him.

"There's a lot of speculation of how it ended, but it's cool," said O'Neal, who expects boos when the Suns play at Miami in March. "There's really no hard feelings. It's a great organization. People say business had to be taken care of to get them back on track, and they did what they had to do. I understand."

Marion was more woven into the fabric of the Suns, who drafted him.

"It'll be strange," Suns point guard Steve Nash said. "He's had one of the greatest Suns careers of all-time. I'd imagine he'd have a great ovation. If he doesn't, I'd be extremely disappointed."

Marion could use the love. He is coming off a funeral. He is with a lesser team. His per-game scoring average (12.4) is down for the fourth season in a row. His rebounding average (8.8) is his lowest since his rookie year. Having turned 30, he will find a decidedly different free-agent market in July, although his camp still expects an eight-figure salary.

The memories of open-mouthed jams, pogo bounces, funky 3-point shots and defense on every position will come flooding back tonight.

He carried a chip at times, that served him well but never lingered in his people-pleasing way.

"He had one of those careers that numbers-wise, they were very, very few people in the league over that span of time who compiled numbers like that," Suns guard Raja Bell said. "At the same time, you got the feeling he was underappreciated. Maybe some of that was because he felt underappreciated.

"Everyone recognized what he was doing. The numbers were astronomical with the way he could cover a stat sheet. It might not have been appreciated as much as if someone else had done it."

With three seasons as the Suns' top scorer and six as the top rebounder, Marion could be a Ring of Honor candidate.

"From what I heard and saw on the streets, everyone was sad that he left," Suns guard Leandro Barbosa said. "Everybody loved him."

Most Suns players' first recollection is of a joking, caring teammate.

"No matter what went on - and at the end it got kind of snippy - when we got in the locker room, he was always about a good time," Bell said. "He was always there for a teammate. He was one of the most unselfish guys. Shawn was my man. Still is."

Miami forward Shawn Marion said of his Phoenix return's ovation, "It was mixed. I gave my heart and soul to this city and that team over there. I think they knew that and felt that and they gave me a standing ovation. I love Phoenix."