Marreese Speights: Potential Beast?

Marreese Speights of the Philadelphia 76ers came into the 2008 NBA Draft with a smile on his face, but with the media all over him.

The 20-year-old 6’10'', 250 pound power forward entered the NBA with concerns shadowing his work ethic and his desire to win games.

He’d played his college ball at the University of Florida, with Billy Donovan as his coach, and as a freshman came off the bench with Joakim Noah and Al Horford.

He ended up falling to the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16th pick overall of the NBA Draft after his sophomore year, when he produced 14/8 numbers.

Many 76ers fans were angry Philadelphia hadn’t selected DeAndre Jordan instead. However, that anger soon faded when the 76ers faithful were treated to Speights outstanding play. So far he has put up 7.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, .8 BPG, and 52.7 FG percentage. 

Speights is now looked upon by many as the potential starting PF for the 76ers in the future, and one of two young potential franchise players for the Philadelphia club, along with Thaddeus Young.

Projecting Speights numbers if he were to be a starter and played 48 minutes, he would average 24.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 2.43 BPG. Those are not only solid numbers, they’re All-Star numbers. Of course, he likely wouldn’t get to average 48 minutes even as a starter, but those numbers indicate he would do well if his minutes were increased from the current 15 MPG he gets now.

The most telling point about his numbers is that he’s gone from a player many were questioning the work ethic of to a potential star player, and one of the steals of the 2008 NBA Draft

With all the hype surrounding rookies Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, and Russell Westbrook, Speights and others sometimes get overlooked. Their solid play and potential sometimes is ignored, and that is a shame. These ‘sleeper’ rookies, who aren’t getting a lot of the spotlight, should still be recognized for their play.

I believe Speights could easily be compared to a young Elton Brand or even David West.

If you look at West’s 2004-05 season (his second year), and compare Speights with him, you’ll see very similar numbers. West averaged 6.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.5 BPG, while shooting 43.6 percent from the field that year. Speights numbers are actually better in all categories other than rebounds, and he’s right there with West in those.

It should also be noted that Speights has shown himself to have a very short learning curve, far better than most young big men when they enter the NBA, as he’s beaten out Reggie Evans to be the first option off the bench for the 76ers at the C/PF position.

Can you imagine what will happen when Speights is getting 30-35 minutes a game? I certainly can. I refer you again to the numbers he would put up if he played 48 minutes. He would certainly be averaging close to a double-double with scoring near the 20s if he were to average 35 minutes or so.

Speights is also only going to get better as time goes by. He’s shown the 76ers coaches what he’s capable of and I believe they’re going to make full use of his talents and abilities.

Those involved in fantasy leagues should mark him down as on of the best sleepers at the power forward position. If Elton Brand has a setback, and if you’re in a 12-14 team league, he would be a great pickup, even if it’s just for your bench. This would even include if Elton Brand is playing, considering the year Samuel Dalembert has had.

Look for Speights to keep improving his jump shot and his low post game. He’s already shown he is fearless, and that he will go over anyone to get a rebound. He’s a tough kid, and I would hope you remember his name.

You could see him rise over the coming years to be one of the Top Five power forwards in the game, just as Al Jefferson did.