Shawn Marion has questions about LeBron’s Sixers, hopes for Kyrie’s return to form

Shawn Marion played alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving when the Cavaliers were trying to put all that talent together in 2014-15. He knows having big names is a good start. Getting everything to work takes a little more.

Now he’s watching his former teammates face different challenges, with James in Philadelphia and Irving working his way back from a torn ACL in Dallas.

In an interview with Kyle Odegard of Action Network, the four-time All-Star expressed admiration for James’ longevity, some reservations about the Sixers’ fit and hope that Irving can regain his old form.

“There are a lot of guys over there and ain’t but one ball,” Marion said of Philadelphia. “They don’t really call plays anymore so that’s the uniqueness of the game now, but a lot of guys don’t play well without the ball. Every star doesn’t play well together. We see it time and time again.”

That’s the question that comes with collecting stars. Someone has to adjust, someone has to spend more time without the ball, and everyone has to be available often enough to figure it out.

With James and Joel Embiid, that last part figures to get plenty of attention.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in Philly. Are they going to be healthy? What are they going to do?” Marion said.

None of that diminishes his appreciation for James still playing at a high level at 41.

“It’s unbelievable,” Marion said. “His longevity is something to be honored.”

As for Irving, Marion offered an encouraging assessment of his preparation. Whether the 34-year-old can return to stardom is something he wants to see on the court.

“He’s been working out like crazy with his teammates and doing his little circuit,” Marion said. “He looks good, looks healthy. He could have come back last year but they waited the full year.”

Looking healthy is encouraging. Handling the speed and demands of NBA games again will be the next test.

“I would like to see him back to that top level,” Marion said. “You just don’t know, man. The league is so young and everyone is so talented. I want to see what happens, and how he helps the team.”

Marion shared a locker room with both during Cleveland’s run to the 2015 Finals. More than a decade later, James is still trying to make another star pairing work, and Irving is trying to get back to being himself. Both will give their old teammate plenty to watch.