Sunday, June 14, 2015

Will Cavs regret not playing Marion card sooner? Series resumes tonight (2-2)

  With the NBA Finals at a 2-2 stand after the Warriors put a thrashing on the Cavaliers in Quicken Loans in Game 4, it was clear to all who was watching that Cleveland was a tired team. With a rotation of only 7 guys, the Cavs were spent by the end of Game 4. Surprisingly, there's a NBA Champion player who hasn't played a minute of NBA Finals action who could change the series. His name?

Shawn Marion.

 
Can the "Matrix" fuel the Cavs back to title?


  Marion was a key factor in helping the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Miami Heat and winning a championship a few years back. Now while he has played in the league 15 plus years and is no longer the high-flying explosive player that he used to be, he was still a rotation player in the Cavaliers roster this year. With his experience and know-how being that he's been in this position before?
Seems invaluable at this point.

  David Blatt (guided by LeBron James) up to this point, had done a pretty decent job and had been on par with Warriors coach Steve Kerr in the coaching department. However with Kerr making adjustments such as putting Iguodola in the lineup and playing David Lee (who has contributed heavily), Kerr now has the one up  in the coaching battle in the NBA Finals.

While Blatt pressed the right buttons by playing James Jones and Matthew Dellavedova, he hasn't pressed the right button by not playing Marion.

After all, just a few years ago it was Shawn Marion who was guarding LeBron James in the Finals in capturing that Title a few years ago.
With nobody besides LeBron with championship experience on the Cavs, its befuddling that Marion hasnt played.
Now that the Cavs look tired and worn out after 4 games, insert Marion into the fold.
How can he actually help?

(1) He can defend the 1-4  positions, (he's 6'7) which would help Cavs immensely as they chase a small lineup insituted by the Warriors.

(2) He can score in unorthodox and a variety of ways, which the Cavs will need in order to keep up with high paced Warriorss.

(3) Not afraid of the moment. While JR, Iman, Mike Miller and Delle work out fatigue and shooting woes, Marion will seize the moment.

(4) Intangible factor - While Marion brings a lot to the table, the series changing attribute he might be most effective grabbing loose rebounds, getting keynsteals, hustling for loose balls and hitting the awkward looking jump shot that has served him so well for many years.

After talking with a close source to Marion, despite not playing he's in good spirits and is ready and primed for the opportunity.

Only thing is, did Blatt, LeBron, and the Cavs wait too late to push the Marion button?
We will soon find out.

More on topic at : www.SportsEffectLive.com