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Sean Marks waited nearly a decade to receive a bona fide opportunity to be an integral contributor to an NBA team. That fact made it easy to feel sympathetic toward the amiable New Zealand native during the 2009-10 season. A year after finally showing that he could be more than a towel-waving, 12th man at the end of the bench, injuries removed any chance for him to build on his surprising 2008-09 season.
The latest season wrap-up article on Marks is the second of 12 player recaps that will appear on Hornets.com in the coming weeks. Marks discusses his outlook within the article, but here are a few additional thoughts from the 6-foot-10 frontcourt reserve, who is entering free agency.
On whether he has considered retirement at age 34:
I have planned for life after basketball, but right now my number one priority is to rehab (a shoulder injury) and get this thing right. I dont want to be making drastic changes to what I think Im going to do in the next year or two based on right now. I want to exhaust all of my options. Im not one of those guys whos going to be like, Well, I retired, but I made a mistake now I really do want to play. As long as the competitive juices are still going, I want to be out there. Im going to listen to what the body is telling me. If I can still get out there and bang around a little bit and have some fun, thats what its all about.
On playing and living in the city of New Orleans:
Its been great. This place is fantastic. Even outside of basketball, the community has been phenomenal. My wife loves it here. I wouldnt put it past us to make New Orleans home. We love it here. Regardless of whatever happens (in terms of Marks future with the Hornets), New Orleans will always be a special place for us.
