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 250lb power forward came into the draft with concerns about his work ethic and his desire to win games. He came from 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, that being after his sophomore year when he produced 14/8 numbers.

After the selection many 76ers fan were angry at the notion that they did not select DeAndre Jordan. Those thoughts have soon faded after this outstanding rookie started to play he has put up 7.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, .8 BPG, and 52.7 FG %. He has risen into the potential future PF of the 76ers and the franchise player along Thaddeus Young. If he were to be a starter on the 76ers his numbers would look like this 24.4 PPG, 2.43 BPG, and 11.6 RPG, this would be per 48 minutes. He currently is only getting 15 minutes per game and already putting up 7.9 PPG/3.7 RPG. He goes from a work ethic problem into one of the best young players from the 2009 NBA Draft.

With all the hype about rookies Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, and Russell Westbrook we forget to look at the sleeper rookies and the rookies who are just doing their jobs and who are not getting a lot of spotlight. If you want to compare him to a player you would have to compare him his teammate Elton Brand or David West. If you look at West’s 2004-2005 season (His second year) and compare Speights and West you will see very similar numbers. West put up 6.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, .5 BPG, and 43.6 FG %. Speights has also has a less of a learning curve then most big men who are not expected to play their first years. Speights has even beat out Reggie Evans as the main backup C/PF for the 76ers.

Could you imagine Speights getting 30-35 minutes per game? He already is putting up 24.4/11.6 PPG per 48 minutes. He’s only going to get better and better as time goes on and he has shown the coaches what he can do. Expect him to be one of the best sleepers in Fantasy next year If Elton Brand has a setback and If your in a 12-14 team league he still would be a great fantasy player for your bench even if Brand is playing with the year Samuel Dalembert has had.

Look for Speights to keep improving on his jump shot and his low post game. He already has shown that he is fearless and that he will go over anyone to get a rebound. He’s a tough kid and remember his name. You could see him rise to a Top 5 PF as Al Jefferson did.