RealGM

Many consider Thaddeus Young the player with the most upside on our roster and I can definitely understand why. However, I'm wondering if Speights doesn't have just as much upside. The kid already has a solid jumper with a nice high release that seems almost automatic - and judging from his FG% in college, one could argue it is. Judging from their numbers, Speights also outplayed Thaddeus in the summerleague, racking up the 2nd most RPG among all participants. So, I'm wondering which player will emerge as the most valuable in the future for this squad; Iguodala, Thaddeus, Speights, or even Williams, who has cornered the market on being clutch and closing out games.

STChaser

Thaddeus has SHOWN he has the work ethic to make it in this league... Speights has yet to do that hence Thad is the answer here. I got a question answered on David Thorpe's chat today about Speights and considering that Thorpe has met and worked out with Speights' before, I will defer to him on this....

Teege (Philly): You mentioned Speights and Stoudemire in the same sentence... do you think Marreese will ever reach that potential??

SportsNation David Thorpe: I do not, mostly because I question his work ethic.

Young probably projects the best because he's already produced in the NBA and he's nearly a year younger than Speights. Plus he was more highly touted in high school and college.

More potential or more probability to reach that potential?

On pure potential, they're probably pretty close to even. Generally speaking, a big man with a post game who can play the 4 and 5, with Speights combination of length and athleticism, has more upside than a wing player who isn't yet showing signs of being a dominant scorer. Speights length, athleticism, and skill level are a pretty rare combination that could pay huge dividends.

That being said, I think Young has a higher probability of reaching the upper tier of his potential. I think both have a high probability of being good players, but I currently have more faith in him maxing out his potential, both because of what he showed last year, and his work ethic.

Way before Elton Brand came into the picture, my friend and I were arguing who we would least like to see the Sixers lose. He's a huge Lou Williams fan, and after watching him in the season finale against Cleveland in person, I could see where he was coming from. Lou just looked absolutely fearless taking those huge shots at the end. I was and still am a huge Iggy fan and cited his elite company at 19,5,5 and how he's still young enough to develop a jumpshot to keep defenders honest. But now, just based on quickly he came along during the season and the poise and leadership he showed in the summer league, I honestly believe Thad could live up to those Paul Peirce comparisons, or maybe even better.

dbodner wrote:More potential or more probability to reach that potential?

On pure potential, they're probably pretty close to even. Generally speaking, a big man with a post game who can play the 4 and 5, with Speights combination of length and athleticism, has more upside than a wing player who isn't yet showing signs of being a dominant scorer. Speights length, athleticism, and skill level are a pretty rare combination that could pay huge dividends.

That being said, I think Young has a higher probability of reaching the upper tier of his potential. I think both have a low probability of being good players, but I currently have more faith in him maxing out his potential, both because of what he showed last year, and his work ethic.

I think your being very critical of Thad Young. I thought he played like a good player last year. I thought given the role he was designed, he did pretty well on the boards. He got easy buckets inside and he made a difference every time he stepped out onto the floor.

And I think all of the skillsets to be a dominate SF are there. Nice wide body, he has a jump shot and handles of which to improve. His Handles considerably improved as we saw in the summer league.

As for Speights, he has all of the tools too. But his Work Ethic is very questionable. But Elton Brand should push him to be his best. No one likes being a second fiddle.

At this point you gotta say Thad Young. He's actually had a year in the NBA, and did very well. Next year we can revisit the issue, because I suspect it'll be Speights by then. If he has anything resembling a work ethic, he has too much natural skill not to develop.

I wouldn't sleep on Williams. Kid has as much natural talent as anyone in the league.

Either way, it's great to have players like Thaddeus, Iguodala, Williams, and Speights on our roster. Anyone else recall the days of Vontego Cummings, Buford, and Rodney Rogers? We've come quite a way since the post Finals run rosters of no-names with no futures. I don't think I've ever witnessed a roster bursting with so much potential as we have nowl. And of course, that's not even taking into consideration that we've got great veteran talent in Andre Miller and Elton Brand.

STChaser

STChaser wrote:Either way, it's great to have players like Thaddeus, Iguodala, Williams, and Speights on our roster. Anyone else recall the days of Vontego Cummings, Buford, and Rodney Rogers? We've come quite a way since the post Finals run rosters of no-names with no futures. I don't think I've ever witnessed a roster bursting with so much potential as we have nowl. And of course, that's not even taking into consideration that we've got great veteran talent in Andre Miller and Elton Brand.

STChaser

Lets just hope Iguodala sticks around.

I think your being very critical of Thad Young

How?

I said about one thing about Thad Young's skillset. That he hasn't shown the ability to be a dominant offensive player. I don't think I went out on a reach there. The potential to? Sure. But he's nowhere near being able to produce at that level yet.

Of all the things I've said on this board, that has to be about the least controversial one there.

dbodner wrote: I think both have a low probability of being good players, .

if anything was critical it was this.

Which is what I responded to, Thad Young played well last yr. Exceptionally well for a 19 yr old "project".

1st: Thaddeus Young.

He's got everything you need for a big time prospect. He's a physical specimen who was highly ranked during his HS days and works very hard to improve his game.

What he can improve on:
-Ball handling skills (pre-requisite to offensive moves)
-Perimeter shooting (3pt range)

2nd: Marreese Speights.

Contrary to Ed Stefanski's statement, like David Thorpe (his trainer), I think Marreese Speight's work ethic is still questionable. I think that aside from being a nobody in HS, I think that is the big difference maker with Thaddeus Young and Speights right now.

What he can improve on:
-His Body(this limits his effectiveness with his back to the basket capabilities and IMO shall pose a huge problem with rebounding against the bigger PF/C players in the league)
-Conditioning (not much of an issue for me)

3rd: Louis Williams

They say action speaks louder than words. Louis Williams has shown tremendous improvement from being a DNP in his rookie year to a promising 11ppg combo guard aka "the future PG of the Sixers."

What he can improve on:
- DEFENSE
- PG skills

Sixersftw wrote:

dbodner wrote: I think both have a low probability of being good players, .

if anything was critical it was this.

Hah. That was also a typo. If anyone paid attention to what I said at all at any point in the last year, that would have stuck out like a sore thumb

No doubt. Just pointing out what he might object to...I found it pretty funny though.

LOL sixersftw, you gotta explain to me why Marreese seems to be hitting on a 15 year old gymnast...I'm sure theres more to the story...That pic is hilarious!

hah. I think she's of age. Nothing too terribly funny to it. There is a Florida/SEC promo/interview and he and this gymnast are talking about the athletics program. Speights has this stupid smile on his face the whole time. Like watching Slingblade flirt with the ladies. I've seen it once or twice, I'm in SEC country.

Sixersftw wrote:Like watching Slingblade flirt with the ladies.

LOL...cool cool.