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

NBA prospect Juwan Staten shows why LeBron had so much faith in him as West Virginia defeats Kansas

  

Juwan Staten reppin' West Virginia after huge W

    Seven years ago Juwan Staten was "The Man" in the state of Ohio. A junior at Thurgood Marshall out of Dayton, Staten had led his squad to the Ohio High School State Finals and had just fallen short of winning a state title, which had sent the All-State guard in tears. LeBron James, on the sideline watching Staten put on a show to keep the Cougars in the game, had consoled the young star, letting him know his future was bright, that he had balled out and dominated in the presence of one the best players in the NBA, all the while patting him on the back and hugging the distraught Staten.

LeBron consoles Staten at HS State Finals

     Staten would then go to a prep school his senior year, leaving Thurgood, to better prepare himself for college. He would use those words for inspiration that LeBron had left him. When he decided to stay at Dayton, the whole city was in shock. The best player in Ohio - who left for prep school - will comeback to play for his hometown?

This was sure to bring a level of respect, love and appreciation to Juwan, as he would be able to lead the Flyers to the promise land right?

In the words of Borat the Entertainer, "Not so much."

In a tumultuous year at UD, Staten decided to transfer after his freshman year. He was badgered by the city. He was dissed by the UD faithful. Called a quitter, a trader, and not loyal. It hurt him and his family, especially his father, Bill Staten, who had carefully watched his son throughout the whole process, and was not hesitant to step in, when he felt needed. Staten had coached at Thurgood and Colonel White, and heard all the negative words that was said about his son. Not to mention the fact that Staten wasn't starting his freshman year. Whether he was ready to start or not, is another story, but then-coach Brian Gregory decided to bring him along slowly, which was not happily taken by Staten. This caused a rift between Staten and the staff, and ultimately would lead to Staten heading to West Virginia.

 While that moment wasn't a storybook ending for Staten, this season sure has been, with his signature moment at the hands of the mighty Kansas Jayhawks.

   Staten was accepted by Huggins, and wasn't coddled by any means. Huggins wasn't sold on his sophomore prodigy. He wanted Staten to take more responsibility for his mistakes. Work harder. Show more. Become more mature.
So Staten did.

Staten GW shot vs Kansas

His junior year for the Mountaineers was phenomenal and you could see Huggins opening up to his star, all the while keeping him accountable. Staten made All-Big 12, and was selected this year as the Pre-Season Big 12 Player of the Year.

So with the Kansas Jayhawks leading by 1 with 9 seconds to go and Staten having missed his last two shots, who would get the ball?
Hmmm....Yep, you guessed it.

Staten went coast to coast with a smooth spin move and left hand layup to give the Montaineers the lead - then ran full speed down to the other end - beating everyone down the court, to rattle Perry Ellis into missing the shot and giving the Mountaineers the huge W, solidifying their March Madness hopes.
After the game, Staten quoted, "We keep fighting and believing. We didn't give up".

Im sure LeBron knew what he was watching that March day in Columbus.

Now the whole world knows as well.



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Thunderstorm in South Beach; Reds take on New York; Photos of the week

SportsEffectLive.Com Top 5 Sporting Topics for the Weekend:




Will the Thunder be ready for BIG 3?

(1) Thunderstorm in South Beach?
 With the Heat tying the series up with a great performance in NBA Finals Game 2, head honcho LeBron James was qouted as saying, "They will be coming for us" after the game and "I'm exhausted" after the game. If he's exhausted after that game, wait until he gets in Game 5, with the series tied 2-2, and  Oklahoma City trio of Durant, Westbrook, and Harden are droppin 3-balls because they can smell the rings....The intensity for this game will be incredible.   (Sun 8pm)



(2) Tiger on the Prowl at US OPEN
 When Tiger was paired with Golf World America all-time favorite player (if there is a such thing) Phil Mickelson and  winner Bubba Watson, Im sure they thought they'd get the best of all three: Wrong, as only Tiger has been a factor, and looks like he could be making a run at another major. We will know on Sunday, or possibly by Saturday, since he does like to make his move on late-Saturday. Even with the ladies. Oh so we heard... (Fri-Sat-Sun)

(3) Mayweather wants to use Get out of Jail Card ASAP


Money Mayweather and 50 in court ruling

Floyd "Money" Mayweather was denied by a judge in a ruling in which he wanted  to do the rest of his 3-month bid on house arrest . Mayweather has said the living conditions are not suitable for him. He wants to run 5 miles a day, and he gets a hour for outdoor rec and he can to push-ups and situps from his cell. Just one question. Money Mayweather, for pimp slappin ya girl you get all of this? You might wanna slow down on puttin those laser beam jabs on chicks eyeballs. Jus sayin. I give him 45 days and he will be outta there.

(4) Reds travel to New York 
Cincy (35-27) looks to expand its lead in NL Central as they take their talents to the friendly confines of New York to take on the Mets.The Reds look to be a prime candidate to get to the World Series. Can they shake off the "Expectation Bug" and make it happen? The Mets (35-39) have done shockingly well this year, in second behind Washington. There is always one memorable game out of the serieswhen these two meet in New York, so keep ya eye out for this series.

(5) Daequan Cook (Thunder) vs   Norris Cole  (Heat) in the NBA Finals

Daequan Cook, 3pt-champion

 The city of Dayton, Ohio is, quite possibly, having its best year as a hoop state. EVER. And nothing would end that debate any better than to see former Dunbar Wolverines Daequan Cook and Norris Cole in the game, guarding each other in the NBA Finals. Both have seen action in the series but hasn't played on the court together. Just to keep it in perspective for ya: When ONE person from your town gets to the pros, its a big deal; but rarely does TWO players from the same state team make it; and even more rare is that they are guards, which lets you know the type of players and coaches that come out of the Dunbar Organization, and the City League each and every year. So root for tha Local Legends, even if you don't like the team!


Which topic is most exciting for you this weekend?



Didnt Make Cut:
   EURO Soccer Championships,    Yankees - Nationals,   WNBA Action