Do Whatever It Takes Stefanski!

[STChaser]

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Marreese Speights, PF, Florida

While Alexander's stock is sizzling, Speights' stock has been somewhat of a mystery. A few NBA scouts have him as a Top 10 pick. More have him later in the draft, somewhere between 15 and 20.

While Speights has great size and knack for scoring in the paint, teams have questioned his conditioning and work ethic and have wondered aloud why Billy Donavon didn't do more to stop Speights from entering the draft.

What I saw Monday blew me away. Speights had the best workout of anyone in the gym and shattered some of the myths that have been holding him back.

For starters, Speights is in excellent shape. He has a flat stomach and a tone, cut body that looks anything but the sometimes flabby physique we've seen from him in the past. His body fat is in the 7 percent area. He worked out from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a two-hour lunch break and could've kept going. In drill after drill, he was quick, energetic and fast.

Abunassar reported that he's had no issues with Speights. "He's here whenever we ask him to be here and he works very hard the whole time. He's very coachable. He does whatever you ask him to do."

He also measured out very well. He was 6-foot-9

[IggyTheBEaST]

not a must but I like him. He is a project, one that id like to take on, but not at all costs as you suggest

[BadWolf]

We walked away from the first day shaking our head at what we witnessed

[is1531]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-080520&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2008%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dford_chad%26page%3dDraftWatch-080520

Marreese Speights, PF, Florida

While Alexander's stock is sizzling, Speights' stock has been somewhat of a mystery. A few NBA scouts have him as a Top 10 pick. More have him later in the draft, somewhere between 15 and 20.

While Speights has great size and knack for scoring in the paint, teams have questioned his conditioning and work ethic and have wondered aloud why Billy Donavon didn't do more to stop Speights from entering the draft.

What I saw Monday blew me away. Speights had the best workout of anyone in the gym and shattered some of the myths that have been holding him back.

For starters, Speights is in excellent shape. He has a flat stomach and a tone, cut body that looks anything but the sometimes flabby physique we've seen from him in the past. His body fat is in the 7 percent area. He worked out from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a two-hour lunch break and could've kept going. In drill after drill, he was quick, energetic and fast.

Abunassar reported that he's had no issues with Speights. "He's here whenever we ask him to be here and he works very hard the whole time. He's very coachable. He does whatever you ask him to do."

He also measured out very well. He was 6-foot-9

[is1531]

not a must but I like him. He is a project, one that id like to take on, but not at all costs as you suggest

Speights, as you will see this November is no project. He scores inside and outside and has long arms. He has very good hands. Speights and Calathis worked very well together. Speights clearly uggrades the 76ers. The 2 guard position would still have to be addressed this year with no other picks in the draft.

[freshie2]

He's a do whatever it takes prospect? If he's there @ 16, it makes sense, but how much do you give up otherwise? Ford has him going to the Sixers...let's see how it plays out in a month.

PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS

Philadelphia
Marreese Speights Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 245
Age: 19
School: Florida



The skinny: The Sixers are still looking for a low-post banger. If they can't get Elton Brand this summer, they'll have to seriously consider Speights. Speights does a lot of the same things Brand does, though he doesn't have the same conditioning or drive yet.

[UptownPhilly]

He's the type of PF/C we need. Those that like to play the post are usually most successful down low.

Conditioning shouldn't be a problem if we draft him. Stefanski wants a young team that can run. He'll fit in on our team in no time.

[Mozy-76er Fan]

He sounds exactly what we need. I hope Chad is right that is available when we draft. It does seem like there will be some nice players available for us 16 for PF or even good a SG with range if we go in that direction.