Shawn Marion has only been a member of the Miami Heat for days and despite his new team being the worst in the NBA, according to Sports Illustrated he said on Friday that he would not mind sticking around for the long haul.

Marion has an escape clause in his contract in the form of a a $17 million player option for next season, yet indicated that if he had to choose now, he'd lean toward staying in Miami.

"I'm here, and I'm ready for a new start," Marion said. "I'm in it for the long haul."

Pat Riley believes that Marion and Dwyane Wade could be the new Michael Jordan - Scottie Pippen guard-forward tandem of the NBA.