Marreese Speights Making Huge Strides

[Swish14]

Ninety minutes prior to the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener in Orlando, the mood in the visiting locker room was calm. JayZ's The Blueprint 3 filled headphones around the room as players relaxed and focused on the game at hand. Marreese Speights, on the other hand, had business to handle.

Surrounded by envelopes, Speights was trying to organize the tickets that needed to get to Will Call for his family and friends who were traveling across the state to see him play. The former Florida Gator was bringing guests from both Gainsville and his hometown of St. Petersburg.

The second year center didn't let down those close to him, leading all players with 26 points on 10-11 shooting. While it's easy to attribute Speights' career night to the many supporters he had in the stands, these big performances are going to be a much more frequent occurrence this season.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14177

[PhilasFinest]

He did look good last night. certainly better than our 14 million dollar Brand.

[9th Wonder]

Forgot that he was playing close to home. Nice to see him put on a show for his family.

Now let's win the next one!

[ankle420breaker]

How can we lose? Speights is averaging 26ppg so far this season

[freshie2]

The only option I see (and don't know that it is a fit) is somehow that GS would want to unload a big contract for Brand. With all the young talent they have in the backcourt, would they unload Ellis and maybe Wright for Brand and something?? Unless things change drastically, Speights will be starting at PF by the start of next season and it would be great if they could move Brand for another piece even if it is bench pieces.

[9th Wonder]

The only option I see (and don't know that it is a fit) is somehow that GS would want to unload a big contract for Brand. With all the young talent they have in the backcourt, would they unload Ellis and maybe Wright for Brand and something?? Unless things change drastically, Speights will be starting at PF by the start of next season and it would be great if they could move Brand for another piece even if it is bench pieces.

Pretty bold statement, in my opinion. He's miles behind Brand on defense, and we still haven't really seen where EB is on offense -- nor do we really know what Speights will be able to do on a consistent basis.

[crazylyf]

He still needs to bulk up, IMO. To gain good position for rebound and ability to defend down low,both by his size and strength that is non-existent so far. That way, he can go from being a Juwan Howard to an Al Jefferson.

[Kevin12]

I don't want Speights to bulk up only to realize in two years that he is a more effective player at a lighter weight.

A player like Speights who thrives off of getting great elevation on his jumpshot and his light feet around the basket isn't the type of player you want to bulk up.

He will never be able to defend 5s anyway, no use in him bulking up to do something he won't be able to do.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

This is his second year correct? I like Speights as our starting power forward sooner than later but right now Brand is still the guy. I'm not ready to give up on Brand just because Speights has a good game. I think the two can be used together the way Boozer/Millsap are used in Utah. Why get rid of Brand? Keep them both... What the Sixers need to do is not worry about positions on the floor but rather just put five players out there who are going to leave it all on the floor.
A solution I see is us starting Speights at the 4 and brand at center with Dalembert coming off the bench to play defense and rebound. However does that take away from our second units offense? Remeber Lou Will starts now so who's gonna score for us off the bench? kapono?

[corwin]

I don't want Speights to bulk up only to realize in two years that he is a more effective player at a lighter weight.

A player like Speights who thrives off of getting great elevation on his jumpshot and his light feet around the basket isn't the type of player you want to bulk up.

He will never be able to defend 5s anyway, no use in him bulking up to do something he won't be able to do.

I agree with this. I can see Speights at the 5 for spot minutes the same way Brand can play the 5.

[sweetlou23]

Speights has a big frame and he is only 23. He is going to fill out more over the next few years. All he needs to work on in the gym is his strength. I don't recall weight being a problem for him in the past.

what i do know is that you cannot keep a guy on the bench with these numbers.... 16.7 pts and 7 plus boards in 23 minutes.... Dayumm!!

[ankle420breaker]

Speights/Brand could be our Millsap/Boozer

[dbodner]

Speights has a big frame and he is only 23

He's actually only 22. He won't be 23 until next August.

Considering his youth and lack of experience, I have no problem with Speights being the 6th man this year. He can get 25-30 minutes backing up both the 4 and the 5, and can be put in when the matchup dictates. Long term I hope he displaces one of Brand or Dalembert in the starting lineup. I actually think Brand/Speights can work together perfectly. There are only so many centers Speights would be undersized to the point of being a mismatch, and Brand's a good post defender. The spacing Brand and Speights would provide on the court together would greatly aid in the princeton offense (particularly one where the midrange game of our guards is so suspect).

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

I actually think our perimeter guys are shooting good from mid-range. Lou's been incredible. Surely, those numbers will come down a little. But the effort won't. And Iguodala. Guy's been a beast. Unlike his past few seasons where he borrowed Green's Suck-Tonic.

[Typeical]

speights have to hit the gym a little harder. im not worried about him putting on weight, i think that will come naturally.