Last winter, Naji Marshall hung a piece of artwork in his locker. The illustration, colored in with crayon, depicted a physical altercation between Marshall and Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler.
In a February game between the Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans, Kevin Love intentionally fouled Zion Williamson, setting off a chaotic sequence of events. Four players were ejected, including Marshall, who responded to Butler pushing him by wrapping his right hand around Butler’s neck.
The drawing that decorated Marshall’s locker crudely captured the chokehold.
Tempers are flaring in New Orleans 😳 pic.twitter.com/4OELvwk5F3
— HEAT on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Heat) February 24, 2024
Nicknamed “The Knife,” Marshall plays the game with an edge. He spent the first four years of his NBA career in New Orleans, where he worked his way up from being an undrafted free agent on a two-way contract to a rotation player on a playoff team. In June, Marshall signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
On Thursday, Marshall returned to the Mavericks’ lineup against the LA Clippers after missing five of the last six games with an illness. Marshall and teammate P.J. Washington split time defending James Harden. In the 118-95 loss, Marshall finished with nine points and five rebounds and was credited for a steal off Harden in the first half of a game Dallas played without Luka Dončic and Kyrie Irving.
Thursday’s hiccup notwithstanding, it has been a decent start to the season for the Mavericks (17-10) and Marshall. In 22 games with the team, the 6-foot-6 forward is averaging 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals. Marshall’s responsibilities are to handle the ball and provide strong defense at the point of attack.
And also — as he sees it — act as the team’s muscle, if necessary.
“Hitting shots. Getting stops. Rebounds. Bringing the ball up. Initiate the offense. Being a great teammate,” Marshall told The Athletic. “If they need me to fight, I’ll do whatever, man — whatever to get the ‘W’ and accomplish the ultimate goal of winning a championship.”
New Orleans coach Willie Green was the one who gave Marshall “The Knife” nickname. When Williamson was wrestled to the ground in February, Marshall was the first player who had his teammate’s back. The 26-year-old is too talented to be labeled solely as an enforcer, but it’s clear he’s comfortable filling that role. And because of his willingness to be a protector on the court, he’s a candidate for being a fan favorite on a Dallas team full of stars.
Marshall’s father, Maurice, had a brief career as a professional boxer in the late 1990s. He was a heavyweight who, Marshall said, would “knock your head off.”
“To this day … and it’s quick,” Marshall said of his father’s punching ability. “I’m not saying it’s (Mike) Tyson. I’m just saying as far as the style, quick with power.”
Marshall boxed from ages 4 to 13. He tried several sports. Football. Baseball. Lacrosse. Tennis. Track and field. None of them, however, gave Marshall as much joy as playing basketball.
He’ll be the first to say that he’s living a dream playing in the NBA and serving as a major contributor.
“The highest level of basketball,” he said. “I know it’s a narrow window as far as opportunity and just having an overall career in the NBA. I’m in the door, and now I want to stay here. Whatever it takes.
“Out of that comes passion. I really have a true love for the game, not being able to hide it.”
Marshall was a three-year college player at Xavier. As a junior, he was thrust from his natural role on the wing into being a primary ballhandler. He had a productive season for the Musketeers, averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists, but he also shot less than 30 percent from 3-point territory and could be turnover-prone.
Marshall’s agent believed he would be an early second-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Marshall wound up not hearing his name called on draft night, but he signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans. In mostly empty gyms that winter — the pandemic limited attendance — Marshall began to gain the trust of his coaches.
“Right off the bat, he was ready to compete in NBA games,” said Stan Van Gundy, who coached the Pelicans in Marshall’s rookie season. “He never had the deer-in-the-headlights look. He never was afraid. He was always moving forward. He wanted to compete every single night. I loved him.”
New Orleans’ final game of the 2020-21 season was a moment that members of the organization still point to. The Pelicans, who had been eliminated from postseason contention, were facing the Los Angeles Lakers, and Marshall spent a good chunk of the game matched up against LeBron James. Marshall scored 18 points, dished out seven assists and even stole the ball from James in the second quarter.
Naji Marshall from DEEP at the half:
New Orleans Pelicans 59 Los Angeles Lakers 63 pic.twitter.com/wimaIVQ7ja
— Deep Hoops (@deep_hoops) May 17, 2021
“It doesn’t matter who it is, Naji is not afraid,” Pelicans general manager Bryson Graham said. “We needed that on this team, and every team needs it. I think that’s why he’s such a great fit for the Mavs. He’s bringing that day in and day out.”
Marshall said he can’t imagine being anything other than a basketball player. The memories he’s made already are stories he wants to share down the road — stories he calls “legendary.”
“Things I’m going to tell my children: Looking back on my first year, playing with Lonzo Ball. Zion. B.I. (Brandon Ingram). Eric Bledsoe. Steven Adams,” he said. “My coach, Stan Van Gundy. JJ Redick. And then coming and playing with Luka, Kyrie, (for) Jason Kidd, for (God) Shammgod … it’s just amazing.”
As as undrafted free agent, Marshall once needed to earn his place in the NBA. Signing his contract with the Mavericks last summer was a “sigh of relief.”
“But it’s also motivation to work harder,” Marshall said. “This won’t be the last (contract).”
(Top photo: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
